ma-hoo-sive leccy bill part 2

muppetscotland

Thank for the replies so far. I've checked back bills from same time last year and the usage has definitely shot up.

My biggest shock today was to read that overnight (7 to 7) we used 20 kwh!!!!!! We have little kids in bed from 7pm and we followed at 10pm. Everything but basics like fridge and hall light left on. Contasted to 18 units used the prior 12 hours of daytime when we ran dishwasher tumble dryer nd washing machine twice!

I am genuinely considering the possibility someone is stealing our power! Next door neighbours are both electricians and not pleasant. This is driving me mad! What should we be looking for?

Gad heating and cooking only. Electric oven. 3 bed semi. Nothing out of the ordinary. Combi boiler on eco setting. No immersion.
Heartfelt thanks. We are on a very tight budget and double electric bills could put us under.

daveyjp

Turn the electricity off at the fuse board and see if the meter actually stops recording useage.

muppetscotland

daveyjp wrote: »

Turn the electricity off at the fuse board and see if the meter actually stops recording useage.

Hi did that yesterday. Literally flicked the master mains switch and everything stopped. Dial came to a halt. But if my power was being stolen wouldnt throwing the mains stop their feed as well?

Rubidium

muppetscotland wrote: »

Thank for the replies so far.

Why have you started another thread after making only two posts in your previous one?

All information is helpful, do you expect everyone to read all of your threads!

Are you sure that you are reading your meter correctly?

Post pictures of your meter, consumer unit and wiring.

Your stated usage does seem excessive for what you have described.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

muppetscotland wrote: »

My biggest shock today was to read that overnight (7 to 7) we used 20 kwh!!!!!! We have little kids in bed from 7pm and we followed at 10pm. Everything but basics like fridge and hall light left on. Contasted to 18 units used the prior 12 hours of daytime when we ran dishwasher tumble dryer nd washing machine twice!

How can you say that 7 to 7 is overnight, when you're not bedded until 10, do you sit in the dark, no telly on?

I would say overnight is when everyone is in bed and everything switched off, except as you say, fridge and hall light.

davietich

The immersion heater if you have one is a common cause of high usage overnight if thermostat is faulty. I would doubt if your next door neighbours would have tapped into your supply if they are registered sparkies it would harm thier business/reputation, I think your usage would be much higher if they were. You do also get the odd faulty meter and your supplier can test yours, they only charge I believe if a fault is NOT found

muppetscotland

I don't have an immersion heater to blame unfortunately. I am going to shut off the power in the garage which adjoins our property to next door as part of my investigations. Our supplier, as a first step, suggested switching everything off so I flipped the mains switch and the dial swiftly came to a halt. They said that was a reasonable indicator of no fault. However I'm to monitor usage over next 3 months after which they will consider coming to see it.

muppetscotland

Ps how do I attach a photo? Thank you

muppetscotland

Sorry also thought - if I turn off power at mains switch (the big one which does all power at once) which resides in our meter box and the dial stops turning, does that categorically exclude the possibility of theft?

ToomanyPies

It depends on where the theft is taking place. Your only concern is whether it is after your meter. Have you checked your loft recently?

elsien

To post pictures you need to use a hosting site such as photobucket and copy the URL over.