Extreamly high electricity bill, help!

critterfritter

Hi there.

I have had a shock today , our quarterly bill is normally around £100 as we are a low useage household, but when the bill came ( actual reading ) it was £255.21.

I have no idea why this has increased such a lot and have gone around the house checking stuff isnt turned on when not used.

The only change I can see is we have an electric shower but the chord broke off in the bathroom 2 months ago and the light is perminantly on ( but naturally the shower is turned off )

could this affect the bill ?

Is there anything else I could look at ?
For reference : we have 1 TV on for about 6hours a day, fridge &freezer naturally on, washing machine 4 times a week, laptop on 6hours a day ( dont really have baths, just showers 1 a day )

Any advise welcome!

Cardew

See if the start meter reading on the bill is estimated. This means that the bill is a 'Catch Up' bill i.e. you underpaid on the last quarter(s).

Or this bill has an estimated end meter reading.

McKneff

Cardew is very probably right about the 'catch up' I noticed you said in your post 'actual reading' so I get the impression the others have been estimated.

critterfritter

I didnt think to have a look at that - I will have a check to see, thanks.

Do you think that the fact my shower chord has broken and the light is perminantly on ( but the unit turned off ) will affect anything ?

critterfritter

Im away tonight but i will definately check this out tomorrow and update on here, so thanks

Its only due to looking at all my expenses recently that I have started to knuckle down alot. I travel alot too so Petrol is a big outgoing

Owain_Moneysaver

The little red light on the shower switch will cost pennies per year.

jalexa

critterfritter wrote: »

( actual reading ) it was £255.21.

I agree with the other posters who suggest catch-up is most likely.

Would be a rare error, though not *impossible*, whenever there is a "surprise" bill, even though the reading is "actual", always check that the reading is close to what is currently on the meter.

Horseunderwater

Whenever you get a metered bill, ALWAYS ALWAYS check your meter yourself. Never take their word for it. Some meter readers have been known to type in numbers from the wrong side, instead of left - right they do right to left.
It should almost match if it has been read and if estimated, always do a customer reading, most can now be sent on line via your provider and this will in turn stop you getting into this situation.
If this is right and you cannot afford to pay it in one go, ask to pay it over a timescale you can afford - they usually agree to help. Or they may offer to change you to what is called pre payment and pop the debt onto the meter to be paid off at £4.99/week while you buy credits for a key. A lot will depend on your curcumstances, but I prefer being on pre pay as I now know almost to the penny how much electric and gas I use each week for both, so I tailor my usage and try to keep costs down. So far I am £100+ ahead of their annual estimates even with the price hikes for both. And we have a largish semi det house to heat and run. Am getting the free insulation that Martin mentioned in this weeks email, worth £150 if I fit size criterior. Will find out when surveyor comes. I only need main loft done. But if it will save me £75+ per year - year after year, it will be worth doing.
If you have a charger plugged in for mobiles or other things and plug is warm or has a light on it, unplug or swith socket off. Only use when you charge. Get the pull cord replaced, you may even be able to unscrew cover and fit yourself, but obviously you will need to turn leccy off at mains and do it in daylight. There are many ways we can save.