Gas bill of £191

scottish_blend

:eek: :eek: :eek:

for three months - I live in a 3 bedroomed house, on my own. I'm out most of the day and a few nights too, so my heating is generally on only for 2 hours in the morning and about 5 hours at night. My heating is the only thing I have on gas as all the rest is electric. I am with British Gas, on their standard plan, as that was what I transferred it from the previous owner (my grandad). I moved in just about 9 months ago and (looooooooong story) haven't been able to get onto their DD scheme. They keep calling me every time I request Direct debit to see why I want to leave, honestly I've lost my temper on more than one occasion with a BG employee.

anyway - I have decided to do a wee bit research and have changed to scottish power for both gas and electricity for £45 a month for both gas and electricity. What I want to know now is -

how do I query this bill?
Is it as simple as getting on the blower to them and saying I want to check this?
Do I have to put it in writing?
what about the £5 late payment charge?
should I check the meter readings match first?

sorry for all the questions - but the utilities side of things is all new to me as my grandad paid those types of bills and I the mortgage and associated stuff.

Thanks in advance

elektra

Not much point in phoning them until you check meter readings

Read meter yourself and compare to bill. Have BG provided an actual meter reading or an estimate ? Maybe it is several estimated bills now having caught up with actual reading.

exprog

Sad to say but it sounds that it could easily be correct. Seven hours a day - is that every day, or more at weekends? You should certainly check the bill against the meters and whether it's an actual reading.

scottish_blend

sad to say indeed exprog

I'm going to check the meter when I go home - I see no reaason for it not to be off a meter reading tho, because it is outside, and they will have easy access to it.

If correct I think that is a disgraceful amount for 3 months! my mum and dad don't spend that much and they keep my 93 year old gran, who is in the house all the time, as well as my sisters kids on a regular basis!! Robbin bassas!!

Lesson learned eh?

Sand_Man_2

i think you gas bill sound about right.

i live a a 3 bed semi and my gas bill came to £80 for the last 3 months (dec, nov, oct). I only put the heating on for 2 -3 hours a day in the evenings only as i am at work all day

There no point having it on in the mornings as once i leave the warm of my bed, am only walking around in the house for 30mins before i leave for work. there always plenty of hot water in the mornings as the bolier had been on the during the evening

if you want lower bills, i should consider when you really need to have the heaters on to get maximum benefit from them.

Maisie

Try turning the temperature down a bit. Close the curtains/blinds etc. Supposed to make a difference.

We live in a small 3 bed house(end of terrace) and have cavity wall insulation etc. Heating is on maximum 1 hour in morning and 2 hours at night. Just 2 of us in house and our bill with British gas (just for gas) was £95 for the quarter and that's an accurate reading.

We've just this week received the quarterly statement and they say they want to put up the d/d to £52 from £32.

After 4 attempts to get through to speak to someone about it as I am not having it put up as there is no need for it as our payments cover cost. One stroppy women told me I don't have any choice. I checked with my bank and they said unless you are in a new 12 month contract they can't put d/d up without your approval. We've been with British gas for over 40 years (time for a change) so not a new contract.

Ringing back later last night I spoke to a different woman and she said there's no problem and she would cancel the increase. The stroppy earlier woman was wrong in her information.

This more pleasant woman also gave me a number to see if we could get any discounts for over 60's.

Haven't tried that yet as it was closed last night.

HTH

Maisie

scottish_blend

thanks all - chalked up to experience I think.

2 or 3 hours a day of heating tho.... you all must live in sunnier climes than Glasgow :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I have to say though - I am very guilty of not wearing jumpers about the house when I probably should be and it would make a ll the difference, and my dad is forever saying turn it down even a degree and you'll notice the difference. That can be my wee personal mini challenge - half the heating bill - cos winter hasn't even started yet :eek: :rotfl: