Thoughtless Housemate = Huge Bills!

princess_jane_2

Despite paying a whopping £60 a month 'leccy and £40 gas, our energy supplier has just wrote to me and my OH to advise us we have a 'leccy bill of £300 and a gas bill of £136.

We live in a practically brand-new, energy efficient house with all energy saving lightbulbs and appliances, energy efficient boiler etc etc.

Problem is my housemate who will quite happily leave every light in the house whether she is in/out/in bed/on holiday.

We had a little house meeting where I've produced the bills and explained the problem, but her solution was just 'well let's pay more'.

She has quite a well-paid job and no debts.

Sorry, just wanted to rant! We were doing sooooooo well!!

ScoobieGirl

Ouch! That is a whopping bill!

I don't suppose appealing to her environmentally concious side would have any effect?

That is just such daft behavoir. Even if she can afford it to chuck money down the drain like that is stupid. I'd work out how much the bills would be if she turned the lights off and charge her the extra.

sarahlouise210

It is hard when you have different ideals of energy efficiency. I doubt if lightbulbs are making that much difference - I am assuming that the heating is on too much and maybe high electricitity items??? I once had a flatmate who refused to pay anything towards the electricity as I had been the one who decided we needed a fridge freezer and microwave (I paid for them!!) ...

CLAPTON

how you actually read the meters and checked that the bills are correct...

its unlikely that lights left on are the problem but heating (central heating or electric fires / tumble driers/ outside lights/ washing m/cs are the problems


try reading the meters weekly and see what they say.

princess_jane_2

CLAPTON wrote:

how you actually read the meters and checked that the bills are correct...

its unlikely that lights left on are the problem but heating (central heating or electric fires / tumble driers/ outside lights/ washing m/cs are the problems


try reading the meters weekly and see what they say.

We give meter readings to our supplier once a month.

Central heating on timer, morning for when most of us get up, evening for when we get in then again at 2am ish when my partner gets in from work.

We don't have an electric fire or tumble dryer.

The washing machine is on quite a lot as we all do our washing seperately.

Me and my OH do about three loads a week of our stuff - darks, coloured, whites, all at 40c.

My housemate probably does about four, smaller loads and when her bloke stays over she washes his stuff.

Very vexing!

angchris

how about getting a timer and putting the washing machine on overnight?

katecheshire

Try reading the meter before a load of washing and then again afterwards (you will have to turn everything else off) that will give you an idea how much each load is costing. If you have the patience you can do it for other appliances.
Turn your heating down a couple of degrees - 1 degree can make a difference of 8%

firesidemaid

how long have you been paying those set amounts? were you in credit after the summer?

we are a bit behind (we pay £70 a month total) but the co. don't press as the payments stay the same and the bills will go down a lot in the summer months.

what have your co. said about it? are they requiring extra payment?

lauren_1

Unplug or switch off NOT ON STANDBYeverything you are not using, even the kettle, toaster, video, dvd player and oven (you would be suprised at how much that tiny little clock can cost you. These are usually left on for weeks on end.

Have you got energy saving lightbulbs?
Is your heating on during the day?
Wash at 30 and at night its so much cheaper than 40.

Or you could take the lighbulbs to work with you, natural sunlight is free after all

kittyminx

Have yo checked through Uswitch etc that you're with the cheapest provider for your area?

Can I just ask a daft question??

Is eletric/gas cheaper at night?? if so how much cheaper and at what time?

You'd think I'd know this wouldn't you...i'm 35!!

kitty......wondering if I should put the washing machine on...

poorbutrich

princess_jane wrote:

Despite paying a whopping £60 a month 'leccy and £40 gas, our energy supplier has just wrote to me and my OH to advise us we have a 'leccy bill of £300 and a gas bill of £136.

If leccy means electricity, then I have EXACTLY the same problem and totally sympathise! TVs left on standby, washing machine put on with one item of clothing, heating turned up to 36 degrees C, lights a-gogo. And in my case, neither the financial or environmental aspects bother my housemates - only answer I can come up with is that someone needs to move out.....