really big gas/leccy problem :(

Tissy1

How do you tell if it is metric? It was replaced a couple of years ago and put on an external wall (was in the garage before that) it isn't a digitl display like the electric one, not sure if that matters.

molerat

If replaced a couple of years ago then it should be metric, it will have m3 or cu m on the dial. You obviously now need a bill to check that you are being billed correctly and that the meter serial numbers match. If you have not had bills for a couple of years then this could be the cause of your problems.

You really need to get your electric down though, using way too much.

Tissy1

Just ran outside (god its cold) it has M3 wrote above the digits.

Consumerist

Hi Tissy,

Metric gas meters have a 5-digit readout and imperial meters have a 4-digit readout.

Yours is 5-digit (metric i.e. cubic metres). Multiply the gas units by 11.13 to convert to approximate kWh units to plug into a comparison site.

Tissy1

God, I am terribly confused now. Can anyone tell me how much I should be paying each month? I am seriously worth more dead than alive at the moment. I am a single parent with 3 teenagers and no other family at all. I don't know where to turn at this point. I can't even afford to keep my children warm, they are freezing cold every night.

molerat

On those figures you are using around £150 per month so in winter £150 is not enough to pay for your use and pay back the arrears. In summer of course the gas use will go down but electric use tends to be fairly steady all year with only a small increase for lighting in the dark months (unless of course you have ceilings full of 50w halogens). You really need bills to see what you are being charged, to see what your arrears are and to see what your actual account sits at. You should be able to download these, you don't need them in paper form, they should be available in your on line account. These bills will also show whether the meter was changed over successfully on the system and what units you are being charged in.

Tissy1

Gas summary
Last Reading This Reading Gas used Cost Split Charges Charges for Tariff - Standard Gas / Monthly Fixed Direct Debit Meter Number: Estimated 30/04/2013 44161 Estimated Calorific Value 39.7 1398 (cubic metres) = 15766 kWh first 1994 at 7.227p next 13772 at 3.634p £144.11 £500.47 PC* 01/05/2013 44161 Estimated 01/08/2013 44479 Estimated Calorific Value 39.7 318 (cubic metres) = 3586 kWh 3586 at 3.634p £130.32 Standing Charge 93 days at 45.000p per day £41.85 Cost of gas used this period £816.75 'M' Number 1267073605 VAT at 5% on £816.75 £40.84 Correction Factor 1.02264 Total gas charges for this period £857.59Electricity summary
Last Reading This Reading Electricity units used
Cost Split Charges
Charges for Tariff - Standard Electricity / Monthly Fixed Direct Debit Meter Number: D00L39261
19/01/2013 72477 Actual
30/04/2013 78598 Estimated
6121 kWh first 207 at 20.080p next 5914 at 15.020p
£41.57 £888.28
PC*
01/05/2013 78598 Estimated
01/08/2013 82824 Estimated
4226 kWh 4226 at 15.020p £634.75
Standing Charge 93 days at 10.100p per day £9.39
01 801 001 15 9104 3496 443
Your supply number
S
Cost of electricity used this period £1,573.99 VAT at 5% on £1,573.99 £78.70 Total electricity charges for this period £1,652.69

This is your account balance £2,359.00 Your new payment is £4,746.0


this is my last gas and electricity bill (online) I have literally copied and pasted it and have no idea what it means, other than I owe an absolute fortune.
I'm not sure why it says estimated as I have always left the readings on display.
I can cope with owing money (it may take me a while to pay, but I will pay) but I can't manage such high monthly payments.
Please help!!!

Consumerist

Tissy1 wrote: »

God, I am terribly confused now. Can anyone tell me how much I should be paying each month? I am seriously worth more dead than alive at the moment. I am a single parent with 3 teenagers and no other family at all. I don't know where to turn at this point. I can't even afford to keep my children warm, they are freezing cold every night.

I think, Tissy, we have arrived at the point where you need more help than we can provide on a forum.

Download your online statements covering the past couple of years, wait till you get your updated bill and take them all along to Citizens Advice.

There are some questions in my mind as to how npower have allowed this situation to arise and Citizens Advice should be able to get to the bottom of it and advise you of the best way forward.

molerat

The good news is that you have been overcharged for you electricity, the estimate is way over
19/01/2013 72477 Actual
30/04/2013 78598 Estimated
01/05/2013 78598 Estimated
01/08/2013 82824 Estimated
your reading
21.01.14 80023
an overcharge of 2801 kWh or £442 up to today's read.

The bad news is that your actual use from 19/01/2013 to 21/01/2014 is 7546 kWh, well over twice the average and at a cost of £1227 or £102 per month.

Your problem looks to be down to excessive electricity use, you really need to look at what you are using and cut back somewhere.

Consumerist

molerat wrote: »

. . . Your problem looks to be down to excessive electricity use, you really need to look at what you are using and cut back somewhere.

Tissy, the sort of thing that might be responsible is an electric hot-water cylinder element that is switched on a lot of the time without your knowledge.

Something to try is to switch off everything electrical you know about for a short time and see if the meter is still showing any consumption. There is usually a horizontal disc which spins when electricity is being consumed.