Why my electricity bill increased 10 folds?

tstemdju

Hi,

We are a student that just rent a 4 bedroom house with heater that use gas. We stayed here since October 2012 and we are shocked by the latest electric bill.

From Oct to Nov, Southern-electric charged us 14.19 pounds
From Nov to Feb, they charged us 39.58 pounds
From Feb to May, they charged us 482.4 pounds!:(

Can someone explain us how is this possible?

Any further information please ask away.

spiro

Look at each of the bills, against the readings they have used it will say Actual or Estimate. I would bet that the 1st 2 bills were based on Estimates and the latest on an Actual reading.

DragonQ

Yep, that looks like what has happened. ~£920 per year for 4 students using electricity seems reasonable.

Remember that if you want accurate bills, you need to provide meter readings fairly regularly. Also, you can use your actual usage to find the cheapest provider and tariff on a comparison website.

tstemdju

Just checked, the first two bills are estimated as you said.

Does that means that the 482.4 pounds bill is the actual usage for the whole Oct 2012 to May 2013?

DragonQ

tstemdju wrote: »

Just checked, the first two bills are estimated as you said.

Does that means that the 482.4 pounds bill is the actual usage for the whole Oct 2012 to May 2013?

No, it means your usage from Oct 2012 to May 2013 is £14.19 + £39.58 + £482.40 = £536.17, assuming the most recent bill is in fact from an actual reading - you haven't specified this.

tstemdju

Yes, the recent bill is form the actual reading. Thank you very much, now I understand how it is.

Is £536.17 for 7 months an acceptable rate for average 4 bedrooms?

DragonQ

tstemdju wrote: »

Yes, the recent bill is form the actual reading. Thank you very much, now I understand how it is.

Is £536.17 for 7 months an acceptable rate for average 4 bedrooms?

Considering you're students and thus will have lots of gadgetry, I'd say yes.

Like I said before though, it's worth it to check if you could save anything using a comparison website.

spiro

tstemdju wrote: »

Yes, the recent bill is form the actual reading. Thank you very much, now I understand how it is.

What you received is what is generally called a 'Catch up bill' caused by previous estimated bills. Every time you receive a bill, check it the closing reading is an Estimated reading phone your supplier with the current meter reading. This will ensure you are on top of your bills. Same should apply to your gas bill, you might want to check those as well before you get an almightly shock.

StuC75

was the very first reading Actual or Estimated??

as for is it reasonable usage - difficult to say depending on usage? electric shower? tumble drier (though students maybe not..)..
Although Gas heating did anyone use electric heaters over winter time for a boost?.. Any keen horticulturists?..

Hope you havent got the same shock coming with the Gas Bill??

If the start and end readings are actuals - then all that inbetween is fair...

DragonQ

spiro wrote: »

What you received is what is generally called a 'Catch up bill' caused by previous estimated bills. Every time you receive a bill, check it the closing reading is an Estimated reading phone your supplier with the current meter reading. This will ensure you are on top of your bills. Same should apply to your gas bill, you might want to check those as well before you get an almightly shock.

Also, it is extremely easy to submit meter readings say every month on supplier's websites these days.

watchmywallet

If you feel like you are being charged too much, it may be worth doing a comparison with a website like uSwitch.

Use your actual usage figures to get an accurate comparison and if you decide to switch, use a cashback website. That way, you'll earn some commission on the switch.

If your electric bill is quite high, it may be worth contacting your supplier to see if you can get an energy monitor. This will show you exactly where every penny of your electric is going too so you'll see ways to reduce the bill ie don't leave the TV on standby etc.