Electric Problem - Meter confusion (young cpl)?

jalexa

Veedon wrote: »

The only amount we have written are estimates provided to us by EoN.

I don't mean to disbelieve you because maybe you overlooked it (or E.ON didn't send it), but there must be somewhere *your* first bill with an opening reading dated 1 June (the caretaker's provided number you submitted to E.ON). If you do not have it ask E.ON to send it. It is an essential starting point.

Slightly worried that you were told to leave the water heater on. That is only sound advice *if* the cylinder is very well insulated. If not it is more economical only to heat when required. I cannot exclude that as the reason for the high consumption.

Veedon

jalexa wrote: »

I don't mean to disbelieve you because maybe you overlooked it (or E.ON didn't send it), but there must be somewhere *your* first bill with an opening reading dated 1 June (the caretaker's provided number you submitted to E.ON). If you do not have it ask E.ON to send it. It is an essential starting point.

Slightly worried that you were told to leave the water heater on. That is only sound advice *if* the cylinder is very well insulated. If not it is more economical only to heat when required. I cannot exclude that as the reason for the high consumption.

Our first bill reads although it isn't addressed to us, "We've used your electricity meter reading. Electricity: read by you 31 May 12: 15.392" That's the first bill we received although it was addressed to "Penny Ashton Property" (Penny Ashton being our property agents).

The first bill we received addressed to us (our names) states "We've estimated your electricity meter reading. Electricity: estimated 30 Jun 12: 15,669."

After that we got our most recent bill (estimate reading: 16,020), again it was an estimate for some reason. Which told us it we were going to be charged £47 instead of £36 per month. We then phoned to ask about the sudden rise and were told that it was only put up due to the tenant of last year using more during this month.

We were told to provide another reading and they'd lower it. When we provided the reading 16,803 (which we asked the caretaker for again and he supplied) they told us this meant we'd used even more than the estimate and that we owed them even more.

It's all just so stressful and such a load of information to explain it all to EoN, tomorrow (MONDAY) when I phone, I just hope I can coherently explain it all and get it sorted.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi Veedon,

There is already some really helpful advice on this thread, but wanted to try and help you as well.

The most likely issue here is the start reading, it is up to the new occupier or landlord of a property to supply their details when they move in to a new house, this includes a meter reading to start billing you from.

If your start reading has been estimated or provided by the last tenant as their closing reading, then unless you have an actual reading for this date it is very hard to dispute this. (unless the usage is extremely out of line).

As others have said, you need to get access to your own meter, read this yourself, check the serial number against that used on your bill and take readings every day for 7 days.

I agree that you need to speak to E.ON again, but you need to have meter readings to be able to move forward, can you ask the caretaker what start read he took on your move in day?

Also, agree with jalexa about leaving the hot water on, this would not be advisable at all and I have a feeling this may be part/or the reason for the higher than expected usage.

If it appears that all is ok and their are no billing errors and it is the amount of energy that you have used, I would suggest speaking to the consumption department, they will be able to advise how much things including the hot water have been using and how to reduce this.

Helena

Veedon

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Hi Veedon,

There is already some really helpful advice on this thread, but wanted to try and help you as well.

The most likely issue here is the start reading, it is up to the new occupier or landlord of a property to supply their details when they move in to a new house, this includes a meter reading to start billing you from.

If your start reading has been estimated or provided by the last tenant as their closing reading, then unless you have an actual reading for this date it is very hard to dispute this. (unless the usage is extremely out of line).

As others have said, you need to get access to your own meter, read this yourself, check the serial number against that used on your bill and take readings every day for 7 days.

I agree that you need to speak to E.ON again, but you need to have meter readings to be able to move forward, can you ask the caretaker what start read he took on your move in day?

Also, agree with jalexa about leaving the hot water on, this would not be advisable at all and I have a feeling this may be part/or the reason for the higher than expected usage.

If it appears that all is ok and their are no billing errors and it is the amount of energy that you have used, I would suggest speaking to the consumption department, they will be able to advise how much things including the hot water have been using and how to reduce this.

Helena

We've taken our first reading today and have seen it ourselves. We even took a picture of the meter reading and will do so for the next week to work out if it is us or the initial reading is wrong.

Would you advise ringing EoN today and explain what we are going to do? Or should be wait until we've worked out meter readings for the week?

If we work out the averages and it turns out we have been given a dodgy first reading, what next step can we take to sort this out and not have to pay.

When moving in we were given a tenants manual which stated what to leave on and what not to leave on, the water heater as above mentioned, was set to leave on.

EDIT: Okay we got a reading of [16,803] on Friday 10th and now Monday 13th it's [16,854] which working out averages is around 510KwH per month. Therefore, there has to be a massive drain on our electricity somewhere but we cannot figure out where. Can anyone suggest something?

jalexa

Veedon wrote: »

there has to be a massive drain on our electricity somewhere but we cannot figure out where. Can anyone suggest something?

A "typical" electric household (excluding water heating) could easily use approx 9kWhrs/day in summer. Your usage above that is very likely due to your 2 x 20min showers per day and losses from the hot water cylinder due to being left permanently on.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi again Veedon, thanks for getting back to me.

I would speak to E.ON asap to be honest.

The problem that I can see here is that if you are disputing the start reading, you need an actual reading to dispute this with, especially if the usage is showing consistent.

I do agree with jalexa, leaving the hot water on like this is going to bump the usage up a lot.

I think asking to speak to the consumption department is the best move here, they will be able to advise if your usage is correct for the appliances and hot water that you have been using.

Helena

Cardew

Veedon wrote: »

EDIT: Okay we got a reading of [16,803] on Friday 10th and now Monday 13th it's [16,854] which working out averages is around 510KwH per month. Therefore, there has to be a massive drain on our electricity somewhere but we cannot figure out where. Can anyone suggest something?

Is your shower a 'stand alone' electric shower i.e. it heats cold water in the shower; or does it get hot water from the water heater.

Using 51kWh in 3 days - say £6, is not high for an all electric house - especially over a weekend - and certainly not indicative of a 'massive drain'. In any case a massive drain in a property must manifest itself as heat.

As jalexa states 2 x 20 min showers will be a big contributing factor.

Veedon

Cardew wrote: »

Is your shower a 'stand alone' electric shower i.e. it heats cold water in the shower; or does it get hot water from the water heater.

Using 51kWh in 3 days - say £6, is not high for an all electric house - especially over a weekend - and certainly not indicative of a 'massive drain'. In any case a massive drain in a property must manifest itself as heat.

As jalexa states 2 x 20 min showers will be a big contributing factor.

Well for a one-bedroom flat, wherein we are out during the day, don't use any lights, it is a lot. £85 per month for electric is a drain. Our shower gets hot water from the water heater.

Terrylw1

Something that's needs to be explored is the property companies bill.

From what I can see, you have received a nil bill in their name which was to the day prior to your occupation. This suggests its a final bill.

So, is this reading the one the caretaker took? If it is, should it have been nil, I wonder?