really big gas/leccy problem :(

Consumerist

Tissy1 wrote: »

Tissy, if you turn off the switch on your consumer unit, does the street lamp go out? Is that a joke?

Well yes and no.

What heavy-duty electrical appliances do you use? Cooker, tumble drier?

Tissy1

Yes tumble dryer acouple of times a week, though I try notto. I hve been with npower for about 25 years and never switched.

Consumerist

Tissy1 wrote: »

Yes tumble dryer acouple of times a week, though I try notto. I hve been with npower for about 25 years and never switched.

The reason I asked is because typical electricity consumption is about 3,200 kWh pa (according to Ofgem) whereas over the three days between your readings you used 49 kWh of electricity which translates to around 6,000 kWh pa. Now, this could be just because you happened to use the tumble drier during those three days.

The point I was trying to make is, although there is clearly a problem with npower's assessment of your consumption, it may still be a bit on the high side.

Edit
If you haven't switched in 25 years, I think, once you've got this problem sorted out, it might be about time to have a look at the competition. I suspect you might save £200 - £300 pa by switching.

Cornucopia

Tissy1 wrote: »

Yes, that's pretty much what she said. I havebeen paying £150 formonths and just been putting the card in the window when the meter readers have been as I've been at work. I've not had any bills or emils for a couple of years so just assumed my readings and direct debits were fine.
I offered to pay £800 straight away, but I haven't enough money going in each month to pay that new debit (I earn £900 a month) now I really don't know what to do.

It doesn't actually sound from the way the bill is set out that it is debt. But nPower ought to be able to explain this to you. If it is debt, you need to ask them for time to pay. If you've not been receiving bills, then it is partly their fault if you have run up a debt, and you should be able to get them to give you time to address it, as well as affordable payments.

I would also suggest visiting the local CAB with your paperwork and see if they can help get to the bottom of it all.

Tissy1

Thank you everyone.
I had nothing extra switched on over the three days of the readings (kids had their laptops plugged in) but nothing big (oh idid have an electric fire on for a while cos we were freezing)
I am going to wait for my bill to come before I start crying again and I'll post again then, if no one minds.

Tissy1

Thank you everyone.
I had nothing extra switched on over the three days of the readings (kids had their laptops plugged in) but nothing big (oh idid have an electric fire on for a while cos we were freezing)
I am going to wait for my bill to come before I start crying again and I'll post again then, if no one minds.

Consumerist

Tissy1 wrote: »

I am going to wait for my bill to come before I start crying again and I'll post again then, if no one minds.

Good idea.

No-one will mind; others in a similar position (and there probably are thousands) will be interested to read about your experiences.

Post back on this thread so the background, above, is available.

Tissy1

Ok, I'm back again, andwondering if this is right. I took another reading today, exactly a week after the first:
14.01.14
Electric. 79901
Gas. 45480

21.01.14
Gas 45523
Electric 80023

Gas=43
Elec=122
I have x4 and then x12 to give me a year (even though I will obviously use less in summer) is that right?
I put it into a switch site nd it came back as less than £100 a month, I'm not sure whether I have done this right though.

quidsy

Just x52. But regardless, the numbers wont be that far off.

molerat

Electric 17.4 units per day, around twice the average
Gas 6.14 units a day, [STRIKE]either[/STRIKE] 68 [STRIKE]or 196[/STRIKE] kWh [STRIKE]depending whether you have a metric meter or imperial. If metric[/STRIKE] ok[STRIKE], if imperial bad[/STRIKE].

[STRIKE]I have looked back through this thread and cannot find if your meter is metric or imperial, you need this information and check your bills to see if they are using the same, divide kWh by units used, 11 = metric, 32 = imperial.[/STRIKE]

Electric = around £70 per month
Gas = around £75 per month [STRIKE](or £240 if imperial)[/STRIKE] but this is winter so higher use is expected at this time.

If you are paying £90 for arrears £150 is not going to cover it and an increase is due. You really must find out whether your meter is metric or imperial and what you are being charged at.