£200 British Gas Bill??

D_M_E

You have an E7 meter but ALL your usage has been charged at a single rate.

You should phone your supplier BG and ask if this is correct.

Some tariffs do charge like this but mostly E7 tariffs charge a higher rate for daytime use and lower rate for nighttime use.

The daily standing charge is not too bad.

I suggest you try budgeting for a monthly bill of about 120 quid and switch and save as you should be able to get a cheaper tariff than what you are currently on.

Am onmy phone andgoing off now back sometime tomorrow.

edit your start readings are estimated and you should probably dispute the 3120 figure if it is well away from your actual reading which you supplied and accept the other one as that one is close enough to your actual reading.

Estimates are a bone of contention for customers when bills are worked out and are well known for producing vastly inflated bills.

molerat

roberts100 wrote: »

I downloaded the bill and this is the breakdown:
Your electricity use in detail
Meter number: H15D00976
7 Nov 2016 - we estimated your first meter reading 03120
23 Dec 2016 - we read your meter 03344
Actual kWh used over 47 days 224.00
7 Nov 2016 - estimated meter reading 00999
23 Dec 2016 - we read your meter 02019
Actual kWh used over 47 days 1020.00
1244 kWh x 13.710p £170.55
Cost of electricity used this period £170.55
Standing charge
7 Nov 16 - 23 Dec 16
47 days at 24.770p per day
£11.64
Total electricity used £182.19
VAT at 5.00% £9.10
Total electricity including VAT £191.29
Your previous balance £0.00
Total to pay £191.29


There's a 'could you pay less section' but it says the cheaper tariff is only available on direct debit. I usually pay my bills in portions so I'm worried about being able to afford a direct debit if I can change tariff.

Why are you on a single rate, combining the day and night readings, when you are using storage heating and have an off peak meter fitted ? The idea of E7 is that it charges up your storage heaters and heats your water overnight on cheap electricity. What is the name of the tariff - it should be on the bill ?

So you can find £200 now but are worried about finding £1000/12 = £83 each month. Direct debit spreads the annual cost over the year, no big bill shocks. Providing you submit readings regularly you will never be caught out.

roberts100

I can't afford £200 now, that's the problem. I'll phone BG and mention that the readings are combined. I told them I was on E7 when I set up the account and they seemed to understand but there must've been a mistake then. Thanks for the help so far!

luvchocolate

Also make sure the water is heated during the night.

System

roberts100 wrote: »

I can't afford £200 now, that's the problem. I'll phone BG and mention that the readings are combined. I told them I was on E7 when I set up the account and they seemed to understand but there must've been a mistake then. Thanks for the help so far!

When you sign up to a new contract, they are required to send you tariff details either by post or in an e-mail. It is important that these details are checked for accuracy.