Huge Electricity Bills

Countryfox

We've lived in this house for thirteen years and throughout that time we have been with the same electricity supplier (Scottish Power) and our electricity bills have been more or less consistent, perhaps dropping slightly each year. I pay my bill by DD each month

So I was astonished when I telephoned SP to renew my tariff and was told I owed them several thousands pounds. This was because, I was told, of very, very high usage that my DD was inadequate to pay for.

On further investigation I see that in January, February, March and April this year my electricity usage was metered at nearly five times my usage last year and in previous years.

a) Our habits did not change over this time, in fact we economised.

b) It was not a particularly cold winter, in fact it was quite mild here in Devon
Please bear in mind these usage figures are equivalent to an additional four houses like ours!

Interestingly, in January (before the highest of the next four meter readings occurred) and for no discernible reason, SP estimated my usage at something close to the eventual figure. Also in April I gave a Customer reading which has proved compatible with the eventual figure.

Since April the readings have returned to normal (actually slightly lower than last and previous years)

At first I suspected the meter but testing is likely to be inconclusive because the figures are now normal again

Previously SP had promised me that they were monitoring my usage every 90 days in order "to avoid any significant under or over payment" LOL!

I can't even imagine what has happened. The amount I allegedly "owe" is truly huge

Can anyone enlighten me please?

macman

Post the actual dates and figures in kWh's if you want meaningful advice.

Countryfox

Thank you Macman.

I've got these daily average Kwh per day usage figures from my Scottish Power online account.

2012 2013 2014 2015

Jan 69.16 57.06 120.58
Feb 70.70 55.47 270.79
Mar 70.22 54.28 270.79
Apr 70.22 54.28 204.40
May 42.85 49.28 48.40
Jun 41.94 45.16 48.04
Jul 39.60 45.16 49.94
Aug 34.70 47.08 51.00
Sep 34.70 47.54 51.80
Oct 52.90 48.66 43.83
Nov 69.16 59.14 59.13
Dec 69.16 57.06 59.13

Now I'm not skilled in these things things but it appears to me that from these figures in February and March I consumed an additional 9kw an hour

Any comments truly gratefully received!

Countryfox

That response didn't come out clearly, hope this is better
2013
J 69.16
F 70.70
M 70.22
A 70.22
M 42.85
J 41.94
J 39.60
A 34.70
S 34.70
O 52.90
N 59.14
D 57.06

2014
J 57.06
F 55.47
M 54.28
A 54.28
M 49.28
J 45.16
J 45.16
A 47.08
S 47.54
O 48.66
N 59.13
D 59.13

2015
J 120.58
F 270.79
M 270.79
A 204.40
M 48.40
J 48.04
J 49.94
A 51.00
S 51.80
O 43.83

matelodave

Are these figures from ACTUAL monthy meter readings or are they estimates.

Countryfox

Hi Matelodave,

Scottish Power used my readings for May 14, April 15 and July 15 otherwise they are their figures and, I guess, their estimates spread across the year - so mostly they are not "actual" figures.

I suppose my query is how my usage could go up so dramatically over the period between May 2014 and April 2015

Robin9

These appear to be costs rather than kWh

[Deleted User]

Are you on electricity only with an Eco 7 meter ? I ask this question because I know suppliers who have mis billed eco 7 meters by charging a transposed day/night reads will do their sums and find out they ve been charging the cheap night rate for the main day rate. They will just rebill without any explanations. Meter readers and customers alike will get their meters wrong, sometimes due to a timerswitch not set at the correct time.Other times it will just be that the meter does not show the day and night times , just rate 1 and rate 2

Robin9

What has your DD been ?

Countryfox

Hi Robin

Definitely KWh. My DD is currently £169 per month. Interestingly, after I gave SP my meter reading in April they replied and said I had no arrears and the £169 would stay unchanged!

macman

Robin9 wrote: »

These appear to be costs rather than kWh

Precisely. I don't know of any supplier who bills in hundredths of a kWh, as only whole units are recorded at a meter reading.