Can anyone help me understand my electric bill please?

Kheeli

I've read the article on this site and rang npower and still don't understand it. Npower said that it's right they just can't figure out how to explain it to me.

I've been absolutely busting a gut over the last 6 months trying to pay off arrears, really struggling with it. Now I've just got my bill and it says balance on last bill £454.91 debit, new account balance £459.36. On the phone they said my usage was roughly £57 a month, I've paid £710 since my last bill (6 months ago) . I just don't get it!

Am I being very blonde?! At the moment I feel like I've really struggled the last 6 months for nothing!

Thanks for any help, I'm happy to give more details if you need them.

Wywth

Kheeli wrote: »

I've read the article on this site and rang npower and still don't understand it. Npower said that it's right they just can't figure out how to explain it to me.

I've been absolutely busting a gut over the last 6 months trying to pay off arrears, really struggling with it. Now I've just got my bill and it says balance on last bill £454.91 debit, new account balance £459.36. On the phone they said my usage was roughly £57 a month, I've paid £710 since my last bill (6 months ago) . I just don't get it!

Am I being very blonde?! At the moment I feel like I've really struggled the last 6 months for nothing!

Thanks for any help, I'm happy to give more details if you need them.

No you've not struggled for nothing.

Your nPower statement should fully details of your costs (i.e. the amount of energy you have consumed) and all your credits (the money you have paid them)

The difference will be the balance.

As you are struggling with understanding the bill, and struggle to understand nPower's explanation, I suggest you make an appointment with your local CAB office. Take along your bills and they will talk you through them

Unfortunately, you have not provided us with enough info to help you.

If you can scan the bills, and post them here (removing any identifiable details such as name, address, account numbers, etc), then it would be possible to help you further, but that would be quite a struggle for you and hence why I suggest popping along to the CAB.

macman

If your usage over 6m cost £342, and you've paid £710, then you should have reduced your arrears by about £368, so I don't get it either!
You should have been reducing the arrears by about £61 per month.
I can only assume that the 'last bill' balance was based on an estimated reading, and subsequent readings have revealed much higher consumption.
Assuming this is an all electric property, £57pm is very low-half the average. What is your actual annual kWh consumption?
A further examination of recent bills should clarify.
Really no need to bother the CAB, you have all the help you need on here...

jalexa

Kheeli wrote: »

Thanks for any help, I'm happy to give more details if you need them.

The single thing you need to provide to get meaningful help here is whether either, neither or both bills were based on actual or estimated readings.

Kheeli

Hi
Thanks for the help. The very last meter reading was an estimate. I've given them the correct reading which wasn't that much different from the estimate.

Property is all electric.

Actual annual kWh consumption I'm struggling to find out!

The bill says tariff economy 7
Night 09/02/12 last reading 73857 this reading11/04/12 73857 0kwh

Day 09/02/12 last reading 20021 this reading 11/04/12 21064 1043 kWh charges £29.87 £161.40

Tariff go fix 11
24 hour 11/04/12 last reading 3782 this reading 27/06/12 4917 1135 kWh
24 hour 27/06/12 last reading 4917 this reading 21/09/12 5833 916 kWh
£179.26 £63.63

Cost of electric this period £434.16
Vat £21.70
Total 455.86

Balance on last bill £454.91
Payments (total) £710
Acct balance before charges £255.09 credit

This bill
Acct balance before charges £255.09 credit
Total electric charges this period £455.86 debit
Refunds adjustments or charges £258.59
Account balance for information £459.36 debit

Sorry can't scan it in but happy to give anymore details. Thanks again.

Wywth

Kheeli wrote: »

Hi
Thanks for the help. The very last meter reading was an estimate. I've given them the correct reading which wasn't that much different from the estimate.

Property is all electric.

Actual annual kWh consumption I'm struggling to find out!

The bill says tariff economy 7
Night 09/02/12 last reading 73857 this reading11/04/12 73857 0kwh

Day 09/02/12 last reading 20021 this reading 11/04/12 21064 1043 kWh charges £29.87 £161.40

Tariff go fix 11
24 hour 11/04/12 last reading 3782 this reading 27/06/12 4917 1135 kWh
24 hour 27/06/12 last reading 4917 this reading 21/09/12 5833 916 kWh
£179.26 £63.63

Cost of electric this period £434.16
Vat £21.70
Total 455.86

Balance on last bill £454.91
Payments (total) £710
Acct balance before charges £255.09 credit

This bill
Acct balance before charges £255.09 credit
Total electric charges this period £455.86 debit
Refunds adjustments or charges £258.59
Account balance for information £459.36 debit

Sorry can't scan it in but happy to give anymore details. Thanks again.

Why have you not used any low rate electricity units? Surely you have a fridge or something plugged in during the low rate period.

As I said, take your bills to the CAB who I am sure will help you resolve your issues with your energy supplier

Kheeli

I think there was a problem with the meter that's why they installed a new one.

Wywth

Kheeli wrote: »

I think there was a problem with the meter that's why they installed a new one.

But you still would have used some low rate electricity over that period.
What was the problem with the meter?

What is the additional charge of £258.59 for?

Kheeli

I think the wire that did the night rate had been cut. Not sure how/when/why! We rent so I presumed it was the landlord, I never queried it more after they fitted a new meter.

I've tried various sums and I also can't figure out what the £258.59 is for!

Wywth

Kheeli wrote: »

I think the wire that did the night rate had been cut. Not sure how/when/why! We rent so I presumed it was the landlord, I never queried it more after they fitted a new meter.

I've tried various sums and I also can't figure out what the £258.59 is for!

Unless you had no lights and the fridge starting defrosting for the 7 hours per day you should have been on the low rate, I think you are wrong.
That would also not be a reason to install a new meter.

As I said, take your bills to the CAB who I am sure will help you resolve your issues with your energy supplier

jalexa

Kheeli wrote: »

I think there was a problem with the meter that's why they installed a new one.

First of all the last poster has correctly pointed out that the reason you seem to have made no progress is the "mystery" debit of £258.59. Just ask NPower for an explanation.

Have you *fully* transcribed the bills, particularly with respect to the meter change? You said it happened and yes there is bill evidence, but not the meter change detail there should be on a bill. Either you need to post more or you must demand NPower provides you more information about the meter change readings.

The zero night usage has also been noted. TBH, over the summer period it won't have made a huge difference, but coming up to winter do you understand how your heating system works? Do you have a heating system?