Electricity usage skyrocketed? Faulty meter?

undaunted

Seems to me that only a faulty meter or some form of heating device (whether an immersion for water or heating for warmth) would take that kind of consumption not fluorescent tubes, monitors (I assume it's on 24 hours because it's a cctv monitor), alarms, pc's etc.

If you want the meter tested you need to contact your supplier. You will however be charged if it's found correct I expect.


Are you sure that the two readings were correct and what do you mean by "last proper" - do you have any readings of your own between?

Is there any possibility that anyone has been able to tamper with the meter / supply or otherwise access the property when you aren't there?

st999

The usage is 10,000 units

Exactly?

As per usual when posters complain about excessive usage not a meter reading anywhere, neither opening or closing.

cakster

st999 wrote: »

Exactly?

As per usual when posters complain about excessive usage not a meter reading anywhere, neither opening or closing.

You can have the meter readings if you want them, but give or take a few units, the difference is 10,000 units. I don't wish to be obstructive in refusing you them so just shout if you do want them to verify my arithmetic. Happy to provide them.

As for you, bsod,

bsod wrote: »

I had something nice to say, did some maths for you, suggested led's, and requested more detail, For some reason you dismissed this as a joke, and avoided the question.

you've edited your post to reflect a "nicer" version of yourself after being called out. Your initial post was much more hostile than it appears now.

Why do these things always have to dissolve into argument?

Thank you to undaunted and co for the helpful responses, again, I really appreciate them.

Looks like I'm going to have to have the meter tested.

Peace out.

bsod

Editing a post and saving it whilst it's still incomplete is commonplace, nothing offensive was removed, I added the words 'or chickens', in fact. It was intentionally short and to the point because the story didn't add up, which makes it impossible for anyone to give a useful contribution by trying to guess the truth.

Called out, ho hum. If the OP hadn't started out with a misleading statement of facts, there would be no argument.

you don't need to get anyone to check the meter, you can do it yourself with a pen, paper, calculator, and a clock - some free money saving advice.

victor2

cakster wrote: »

I will do as victor2 suggests and see what the difference is between 31/7 and now.

Did you do that, and if so, what did it tell you?
Absolutely no point getting the meter checked if it now is recording a realistic level of usage.

nPower

cakster wrote: »

So I've just got a nasty shock. A letter from npower wanting £1,600!

The penultimate proper reading was 31/7/2014. The last proper reading was 31/7/2015. The usage is 10,000 units. Breaking it down, that's about 30 units a day *on average*.

This is for a domestic property with one desktop computer on 9-5, one laptop computer on 9-5, one television monitor on 24/7 and about 8 6' fluorescent tubes on 9-5.

I cannot fathom how I can possibly have used anywhere near that amount of electricity.

I phoned npower and got some previous meter readings. Between July 2012 and July 2014 I used 9572 units. Breaking it down, that's about 13 units a day *on average*.

The only thing that's really changed between then and now is 2012-2014 we didn't have the television monitor. Otherwise, everything's the same.

A) Does it sound like I have a faulty meter?
If yes, how can I check this? If I turn off everything at the circuit breakers and watch the meter over the course of an hour, if it flashes red or increments will that show me something fishy is afoot?

Thank you so much for your help. I am very afraid about this huge bill.

Hello cakster

Thanks for your post regarding your electricity usage.

It appreciate you’re concerned about your consumption and you can discuss this further with our Energy Efficiency Team. You can contact them on 0800 022220, this number is usually free from any landline or if you are calling from your mobile, you can use 0330 1008620, which is normally included within your free minutes or charged at the same rates as numbers beginning with ‘01 and 02’. We’re here Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 6pm.

If our Energy Efficiency Team feels your usage is high and your meter may be faulty, an appointment will be arranged.

Thanks
Laura

Cardew

cakster wrote: »

Maybe because it's a retail business, sherlock.

The business operates from a domestic property but isn't lived in as such. I didn't call it a business premises because that would instantly get people thinking about warehouses or retail units and that would get people thinking along the wrong tracks.

Before taking up NPower's offer, are you aware that you should pay VAT at 20%, instead of 5%, on a business?

brewerdave

The "penultimate proper reading" -who was this carried out by? And did you witness it ?? Otherwise, if it was read incorrectly, it's possible that the usage was up in the previous year(s) and has just carried on at a higher level.
Also don't think you answered the post re the two rate meter ???