A cruel blow from British Gas.

octogenarian

I’m not sure where to place this so I rely on the Moderators to steer it in the right direction. Thank you.

My wife and I live in a two bedroom bungalow and paying British Gas a monthly debit for electricity up until February15th 2013 of £43.00 a month which was then increased to £58.00 in the month of March until this month August, when it will reach the staggering figure of £122.00 a month.
It would appear that I have incurred a bill of £680.51, and Have no idea what has caused such a leap in the electric consumption. This vast outlay out of our Pension makes me dread the arrival of our British gas bill, it could mean a long cold winter for my wife and I.

I feel that in my case the electric company must have been aware of an increase in my fuel consumption and could have looked into what was obviously abnormal use for a couple in their Seventies and Eighties.
Why isn't there some sort of watchdog with reputable people there to help and explain things that most elderly find totally incomprehensible to understand?

Nobody expects special treatment, just the loan of ones eyesight, and the dexterity of younger fingers for tightening that elusive screw, or above all, just being there to help doing some of the simplest things, like changing a light bulb. Where do we find them and know that at the same time we are safe?
Of course people have family, but when they live a distance away or not always available...........what then?

Now I sit bewildered, desperately trying to think what to do next, unable to awaken a brain that has become as erratic as the legs supporting this disabled body ......... and I am luckier than most.

victor2

First of all, look at what your usage is in kWh and verify that your latest bill is using an actual reading and not an estimated one.
Is the adjusted DD to reflect increased usage, or is it catching up on debt from previous months?
If you have gas heating, then your electricity usage is likely to be pretty constant throughout the year.
Unfortunately, there's nothing exceptional in an increase in the DD of that sort of magnitude, so it won't have set any alarm bells ringing, except yours of course!

Your bills will indicate what your kWh usage has been, and if estimated readings have been used. With electricity it's actually the units the meter measures, so it's relatively easy to find out what you are using on a regular basis by simply reading the meter.
Once you know what you are actually using, you can look at ways to save, if excessive usage is the problem.

Cardew

If you only have electric, and presumably are home all day, then bills of well over £100 a month are inevitable.

On the wider issue of assistance in your home, contact the social services at the local council(or get a friend do do so) and ask for a home visit to assess what assistance might be available.

You could even contact them by email.

macman

Quite simply, if you heat only by electricity, you've used a lot during the long cold winter, you've probably not been able to submit regular reads, and your DD's were inadequate to keep up-you've now been hit with a big catch- up bill.
Once you have cleared the debt, your D's will drop back again to reflect your actual consumption-but certainly more than £43 pm, which si not feasible to heat/light/power a property.
What method of heating and hot water do you use-are you on E7 or single rate?

Jonesy88

Is your supplier aware of your age and vulnerabilities?

You could qualify for quarterly meter reads, a cheaper tariff or a longer period in which to spread the debt over. I would have a chat to your provider to see if they can help.

octogenarian

Thank you all for advice offered, I don't feel quite so alone and helpless now, it is much appreciated.

Being that I am with British Gas for both gas and electricity I feel it better that I wait for my gas statement so that I can see what both my monthly direct debits ammount to and take it from there.
I would like to choose a cheaper tariff but cannot go paperless because in the event of my passing it would leave my wife at a disadvantage . . . . . to this day she has never even switched a computer on!

victor2

I you're not on a dual fuel contract with BG, then talk to them about changing to that. You get an extra discount for dual fuel, but also check the rates you will be paying compared to what you pay now.

Another option is to contact Age UK. They have advisors available, who understand the energy market and should be able to address your concerns. They may well have a local branch where you can meet someone. Their Freephone number is on their website: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

Mojisola

victor2 wrote: »

Another option is to contact Age UK. They have advisors available, who understand the energy market and should be able to address your concerns. They may well have a local branch where you can meet someone. Their Freephone number is on their website: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

And also ask AgeUK for a benefits review in case there are things you could be claiming for which you're not getting now.

We take meter readings every month so that we can keep an eye on what we're using. If that's not practical because of disabilities, could you get a visitor to do it for you?

macman

So, if you have gas CH and DHW, there is something awry with your billing or consumption. Post your actual kWh consumption on both fuels for meaningful advice. DD amounts do not tell us anything about your actual usage.
Your electricity usage appears to be far too high for such a property, but your kWh figures are needed to confirm this.

dogshome

Hi Octergenarion - So you have gas for Heating,( and Hot water ?)

That £43 a month you were paying would buy appx. 3,000 Elec Kwh a year which is only about 10% below the average - You don't say how long you have been in the house - How long was it prior to Feb this year that your £43 a month kept pace with the bills?

Things that whack up Elec Bills
A hot water tank with an Immesion heater that has accidently been left on permanently

Direct Debit payments below the required level to meet annual costs, that incur sudden D/Debit uplifts so the supplier can recover the debt

Meter mis-reads - You say you report your readings online, how long has it been since an official Meter Reader read your meter?
As oft reported here, there is a problem with Dial meters, (The one's with 5 little clocks, each of which has a single hand ), they are very easily mis-read, particularly L/hand dial on which each increment is 10,000 Kwh - If you have one of these phone BG and ask for a visit from a Meter reader

For more advice, post the Kwh consumption and period dates for each of the the last 5 bills.

octogenarian

Again my thanks to you all. Tomorrow when my head is a little clearer and I have regained a little more concentration I shall submit my. actual kWh consumption on both fuels.
Thank you.