usage low yet v high usage showing on statement

catalina66

Hi :-)

I switched to Ovo last November (all electric), and in February was really happy to hear I could switch from an E7 (heatwise) to an E10. The meter was changed on Feb 19th, but sorting that was going on until literally today, with me unable to send in readings or change payment levels over those months. Had absolutely dreadful problems with Eon previously, and ombudsman upheld complaint ... seems they didn't bother to have the meter updated into the system/property not found, or something. Not sure if Ovo are trying to locate my property, in that case, regarding the new meter.

I was impressed that when I emailed a couple of days ago they asked me to provide a pre-9am and pre-9pm set of readings, as I think they must be checking things. They also asked for the meter serial number. The meter clock has always been an hour out, eg showing 7:35am instead of the correct 8:35am. After including a reading with the email, a statement showing v high usage (average £96 a month) has come through. Shocked, as I'm in a small one-bed bungalow, using one room/heater, no boiler on, minimal washer/dryer. I have some gadgets/pc/tv, but am careful.

These are the readings I've just emailed to them. (10 units a day is low?)

August 18th
8:35am
1 02257
2 00422 (flashing)
8:50pm
1 02259
2 00425 (flashing, yet it's supposed to be rate 1 at this time of day? clock shows 7:50pm)

I know Ovo will be emailing, and they're great about replying quickly. Just really panicked. Don't know how I could use less electricity tbh, and, unless there's an error with the meter/clock etc, £96 a month seems very high. Switched to vaping in March, and need to charge 2 batteries and two devices daily, which is the only extra thing I can think of. (No idea what average usage was previously, as Eon made such a mess of everything).

Would really appreciate any feedback on if my usage is low or not.
Thanks, Cat

catalina66

Is 10 units classed as low usage? I can't see how I can go any lower tbh.

wildesavings

Not sure what's deemed high or low. I used 50 units in 6 days this week in a 4 bed semi with 5 of us living here with washing machine, dryer, oven etc. But boiler is gas.

catalina66

wildesavings wrote: »

Not sure what's deemed high or low. I used 50 units in 6 days this week in a 4 bed semi with 5 of us living here with washing machine, dryer, oven etc. But boiler is gas.

Thanks wildesavings for giving me an idea. If I go by the theory I'm at the low end of the spectrum, you're doing well to keep your usage so low! :beer:

[Deleted User]

is the clock an analogue 24 hr circular clock ? or a digital one built in to the meter or a radio teleswitch timer.You say its an hour out. Its not..its set to GMT and remains on that.You will fall in line when the clocks go back from BST an hour forward.The circular timer could well be 12 hrs out and appear to be only an hour out.Those old things can be all over the place

wildesavings

catalina66 wrote: »

Thanks wildesavings for giving me an idea. If I go by the theory I'm at the low end of the spectrum, you're doing well to keep your usage so low! :beer:

I received a very scary elec bill 2 weeks ago (now thankfully realised it was miscalculated) so I've been a light switch monitor since but if its made such a difference to our usage then I'll keep it up lol

Hope you get it sorted. My poor mum is in a 2 bed flat and she gets through £90 a month too

catalina66

sacsquacco wrote: »

is the clock an analogue 24 hr circular clock ? or a digital one built in to the meter or a radio teleswitch timer.You say its an hour out. Its not..its set to GMT and remains on that.You will fall in line when the clocks go back from BST an hour forward.The circular timer could well be 12 hrs out and appear to be only an hour out.Those old things can be all over the place

Thank you sacsquacco That's great to know. Yes, what with different meters, dials, etc, it can be a palaver, lol.

catalina66

wildesavings wrote: »

I received a very scary elec bill 2 weeks ago (now thankfully realised it was miscalculated) so I've been a light switch monitor since but if its made such a difference to our usage then I'll keep it up lol

Hope you get it sorted. My poor mum is in a 2 bed flat and she gets through £90 a month too

Glad your bill ended up being miscalculated, and, yes, an inaccurate bill can give you quite a scare, for sure. I'd definitely keep it up, lol. Ovo have already sent a bill that's £50 less, so things are looking up, plus they want to really check the meter's settings/times, and have asked me to provide a set of further readings. All good. Thanks for good wishes, and I hope your poor mum manages okay.

[Deleted User]

Hi Cat,

If you're all-electric, 3650 units per year would be quite low, but bear in mind it's the summer though, and most of your usage will be in the winter. The average is about 6200 units a year.