Large electric bill - any ideas welcomed

Houseplant26

Why is it when I feel like I am making progress suddenly it is one step forward five steps back!

I've been trying to phone on regular meter readings to EDF. I did one recently for a period of 42 days and the electric bill I have just received is huge and huger than I thought possible.

We pay £42 DD. At last metre reading we only owed £20. We now owe £178 based on just these 42 days since.

I'm absolutely gutted and wracking my brains for how this could happen.

Our one bed flat is entirely electric. Landlord did not provide heaters, apart from one wall mounted one in a very large lounge that really would have two radiators.

Then we bought one plug in oil radiator for lounge and a small version for bedroom. Then the kitchen we have nothing at all and the bathroom we have a heated towel rail but rarely turn it on.

We have a TV a computer an electric blanket.

We also have an immersion hot water tank which we switch on only for a few hours a day. I think only after dinner time.

Our shower is electric.

We have an electric blanket.

I'm cursing renting this flat.

We don't think we put stuff on excessively we only heat bedroom for say an hour in morning and rest of flat including bedroom for a few in the evening. On the whole we spend time cold.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm really panicking.

One thing that came into my head is I've noticed when we run a bath the water pressure drops right off to a trickle after a few minutes and we don't get a full hot bath. Could there be a leak somewhere? I feel like we'd know if there was.

matelodave

Read you meter daily to find out when you are using it all, waiting 42 days to find that you've used lots doesn't really help you find out what is using it all.

Dont forget at this time of year you'll be using about three times as much energy as you will in the summer, we use around £35 a month for the seven summer months = £250 and around £100 month in the five winter months = £500, total = £750 divided by 12 = £62.50 a month

So it's easy to end up either in credit or debit depending when in the year you start your contract - the optimum is around April and the worst is around November.

Just guessing and thinking that you don't use a lot is a lot different from actually measuring it and knowing what you use and when.

Houseplant26

matelodave wrote: »

Read you meter daily to find out when you are using it all, waiting 42 days to find that you've used lots doesn't really help you find out what is using it all.

Dont forget at this time of year you'll be using about three times as much energy as you will in the summer, we use around £35 a month for the seven summer months = £250 and around £100 month in the five winter months = £500, total = £750 divided by 12 = £62.50 a month

So it's easy to end up either in credit or debit depending when in the year you start your contract - the optimum is around April and the worst is around November.

Just guessing and thinking that you don't use a lot is a lot different from actually measuring it and knowing what you use and when.

Thank you that's helpful. At the moment they don't want to increase our direct debits but I'd probably rather we still paid a chunk off. We overpay into our joint account ready for this kind of thing but money is fairly tight and we weren't expecting such a big bill.

System

Like many on this forum, I monitor my usage closely. What works for me is a 99p app called 'Meters'. Once the tariff info is entered, then all it requires is 2 meter readings to work out how much is owed. When an actual bill is received, this needs to be highlighted in the App. Enter a meter reading/s, and it shows how much is owed since the last bill. It also compares current/past usage over years, months and weeks.

For example, I can see at the moment I am using more energy than last year because it has been a colder winter so far.

CashStrapped

These are the things you need to do.

1) Work out your actual usage, not looking at DD or bill amounts.

To do this......

2) Start taking daily readings (same time each day). So you can see your daily use is initially. Then do ongoing monthly readings.

3. Do you have a reading when you moved in? If you do, take a reading today. Then calculate what you have used to date. This is good as it will show what you have used over a long period.

4) Once you have enough information you can then do a comparison. The tariff you are on may be very uncompetitive. But....to do a good comparison you need have a good indication of your use over a long period.

The reason why regular meter readings are important is that it ensures you do not get any shock catch up bills. If you have been relying on estimated bills for a while, these could have been under-estimated. When you finally give a correct meter reading, you get a catch up bill.

Regarding your heating set-up. It sounds like the property is all single rate electricity.

But.....just to check, does your meter just has one set of numbers? Or does it have two? Are all the heaters in the property panel heaters i.e do they come on pretty much immediately?

If so, there is not much you can do with the set-up. It comes down to monitoring your use and being on the best tariff available.

Houseplant26

CashStrapped wrote: »

These are the things you need to do.

1) Work out your actual usage, not looking at DD or bill amounts.

To do this......

2) Start taking daily readings (same time each day). So you can see your daily use is initially. Then do ongoing monthly readings.

3. Do you have a reading when you moved in? If you do, take a reading today. Then calculate what you have used to date. This is good as it will show what you have used over a long period.

4) Once you have enough information you can then do a comparison. The tariff you are on may be very uncompetitive. But....to do a good comparison you need have a good indication of your use over a long period.

The reason why regular meter readings are important is that it ensures you do not get any shock catch up bills. If you have been relying on estimated bills for a while, these could have been under-estimated. When you finally give a correct meter reading, you get a catch up bill.

Regarding your heating set-up. It sounds like the property is all single rate electricity.

But.....just to check, does your meter just has one set of numbers? Or does it have two? Are all the heaters in the property panel heaters i.e do they come on pretty much immediately?

If so, this is not much you can do with the set-up. It comes down to monitoring your use and being on the best tariff available.

Thank you all of these suggestions as will definitely look into this. We have given meter readings on a number of occasions.

We have a day and a night rate on our metre but when we moved in we switched to a tariff that is just one, we don't have storage heaters we control everything so cheaper energy at night was no use to us.

As far as I as aware we are being billed same amount per unit for both day and night readings.

Houseplant26

I should also say we are on Blue Price Promise April 2017

Looks like we pay 12.71p a unit.

In this 42days we used 1314kWH units in the day hours and 78 at night.

CashStrapped

So based on that, if the readings are accurate, you used around 32kwh per day.

However, this is winter, and for an all electric property that may indeed be acceptable/normal.

One thing that may have compounded the problem is that you may have moved into the property in winter. This means your DD has to be very high immediately to cover the winter bills.

Normally a DD is set at the an average amount for the year. This is so you build up a credit on the account for winter so you do not get a sudden high bill shock.

Without that surplus, your DD has to be high straight away.

--

As you say, no storage heaters means that the dual rate (e7) meter is not appropriate. So using it as a single rate meter (as you are doing) is correct.

It is a shame someone ripped them out as in the majority of cases, it is the cheapest way to heat an all electric property.

I would look at estimating an annual use of somewhere between 7000kwh and 10,000kwh and see where your tariff comes in the results.

Ensure you select to view all available tariffs. Also ensure you select to view results based on your tariff alone and not assuming you go to a standard tariff once yours ends (or your results will be skewed).

There are also a few collective switches coming soon. So make sure you are signed up to the relevant switching services to be eligible.

A good tariff may be the only way to reduce your bill.

----

Regarding your water flow issue. This may be due to a few things. Flats with storage tanks are susceptible to poor pressure and flow. This is because the storage tank is only just above head height. So not a big drop to build up pressure.

Wrong taps is a common mistake. High pressure taps are very common these days. Put this on a low pressure system and you get a dribble.

Your taps should be the type you have to turn multiple times. Not the quarter turn type.

Also ensure the hot water isolation valves are open fully. This is usually a red valve on a pipe coming out of the immersion tank. It should be hot to touch.

If you are not sure, consult a youtube video. There are many on this subject.

Houseplant26

CashStrapped wrote: »

So based on that, if the readings are accurate, you used around 32kwh per day.

However, this is winter, and for an all electric property that may indeed be acceptable/normal.

One thing that may have compounded the problem is that you may have moved into the property in winter. This means your DD has to be very high immediately to cover the winter bills.

Normally a DD is set at the an average amount for the year. This is so you build up a credit on the account for winter so you do not get a sudden high bill shock.

Without that surplus, your DD has to be high straight away.

--

As you say, no storage heaters means that the dual rate (e7) meter is not appropriate. So using it as a single rate meter (as you are doing) is correct.

It is a shame someone ripped them out as in the majority of cases, it is the cheapest way to heat an all electric property.

I would look at estimating an annual use of somewhere between 7000kwh and 10,000kwh and see where your tariff comes in the results.

Ensure you select to view all available tariffs. Also ensure you select to view results based on your tariff alone and not assuming you go to a standard tariff once yours ends (or your results will be skewed).

There are also a few collective switches coming soon. So make sure you are signed up to the relevant switching services to be eligible.

A good tariff may be the only way to reduce your bill.

----

Regarding your water flow issue. This may be due to a few things. Flats with storage tanks are susceptible to poor pressure and flow. This is because the storage tank is only just above head height. So not a big drop to build up pressure.

Wrong taps is a common mistake. High pressure taps are very common these days. Put this on a low pressure system and you get a dribble.

Your taps should be the type you have to turn multiple times. Not the quarter turn type.

Also ensure the hot water isolation valves are open fully. This is usually a red valve on a pipe coming out of the immersion tank. It should be hot to touch.

If you are not sure, consult a youtube video. There are many on this subject.

Wow that has been so so so helpful!!
Especially the bit about the water I can't thank you enough. Our landlord just told us to speak to our water company. I'm pretty certain our taps are wrong. You're right our tank is barely at head height to be honest and the taps at every nose me looking cheap jobs that I can't turn more than a quarter turn I don't think.

We have a mold after two different leaks in two different rooms where water came through our ceiling due to building damage. In theory the causes are now fixed but I am prioritising getting that sorted, however I am sure after what you have said the taps need changing and I need to fight for that.

We've actually been in this flat since February last year and it's been one thing after another!

I guess it is all lessons learnt for buying one day, and picking or next home!
I was naive when we found this, we viewed it at night and at the time I assumed landlords had to provide a proper central heating system. Turns out they don't. Although we have since realised ours is still in the wrong not providing a heater for each room and one for an entire flat!

CashStrapped

If you have been in since feb last year, then you should nearly have a years worth of meter readings. The first reading will be the most important (if it was accurately taken) as this will give you a good picture as to your annual use in KWH.

Also, ensure any electric heaters you use have thermostats on them, this will ensure they turn themselves off once the room is warm enough. If it cools down too much they turn on again.

NeverInDebt

You main usage is from heating, either your home or hot water. as others have said you consume a lot more this time of year. I use electric purely for lights and tv, dehumidifier, kettle etc. I consume 11 kWh per day. My water is heated by gas, as is cooking and heating. This is a lot more than I consume in electric but its cheaper to heat water and heating with gas.