Electricity only home - very expensive?

Lauren2205

Me and my partner started renting house is September last year. It's 2 bedroom but quite small, just a standard 2 up 2 down terrace. There is no gas supply to the house and everything runs on electricity, including the heating. It's with ecotricity on a pre payment meter with a key. We both work full time and are out of the house 7am-6pm ish every day. But despite the fact that we're hardly ever here, we're topping the meter up on average £35-£40 per week. The only thing switched on during the day when we're not here is the fridge freezer. I switch the heating on manually when I get home and have it on for about 3-4 hours until we go to bed, then switch it off again.
I don't know the first thing about boilers, but I think ours is a pretty weird set up. There's an electric boiler on the wall, then a big hot water tank. The hot water only works from the taps when the heating is switched on. The shower is electric and gets instant hot water whether the heating is on or not, so I think that's separate as it also doesn't seem to use as much money up as the hot water from the taps does. The other day I was sick so treated myself to a nice bath for the first time since we moved in, and when I checked the meter afterwards, it had used £11!! For one bath!
Does what we're paying sound right to anyone at all? It just seems so expensive to me and everyone I've told is shocked, especially since we're never here. It's killing us paying out so much all the time. I've spoken to the electricity company and the guy agreed that something doesn't sound right. He's advised me to take regular readings, such as just before I leave for work and then check it again when I get home to see what's being used when we're not here etc. He said If its using a lot then someone can come and check that the meter is working properly, but if they come out and the meter is fine, we will be charged anywhere between £40-£90! And 9 times out of 10 there's nothing wrong with the meter.
What can I do? I can't afford to keep paying as much as we are at the minute, I'm at my wits end!

phillw

Lauren2205 wrote: »

What can I do? I can't afford to keep paying as much as we are at the minute, I'm at my wits end!

You could try to get hold of an energy monitor, your energy company may be able to provide you one or some libraries lend them out. I got mine free from british gas, but you can buy them too but they aren't exactly cheap.

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/owl-micro-wless-enrgy-monitor?istCompanyId=bf3344d9-83f5-4abd-b69a-da131f7567d1&istItemId=wpaiqwiqp&istBid=tztx&gclid=CjwKEAiAxKrFBRDm25f60OegtwwSJABgEC-Zp_tpzQHG6jelqy_Yyk6azZU5p6u8jfjPFZYG0aWsxBoCuWTw_wcB

One part clips round the wire underneath your meter and the other is a wireless display. You can then walk round the house and see exactly how many kwh you are using. You can then turn everything you can find off and see if any electricity is being used, then turn things on individually to see what effect they have (run a bath etc).

You could also do it with a smart meter, but it will be much quicker to get an energy monitor.

Do you know the details of the tariff that you're on (price per kwh and standing charge)?

CashStrapped

Are the radiators electric panel heaters that you turn on individually? Or do they have pipes?

You may have a wet electric system.

Is there any name on the boiler? Model number?

That aside, the thing that will be contributing a huge amount to the cost is your prepay meter. You need to swap that out asap. Is your credit status OK? If not, EDF is one company that does not do a credit check.

You also need to monitor your daily use in KWH and not cost. All you need to do is take a meter reading at the same time each day.

Do not forget, it is winter at the moment and your use will always be very high at this time of year.

What are your actual unit rates in pence per kwh. These should be on the meter.

Owain_Moneysaver

Did you get a new payment key or get the account reset when you moved in? You may be paying off the previous tenant's debt.

£11 on one bath is just impossible on any normal tariff. It's possible that bathtime coincided with a weekly standing charge or debt charge to the meter.

Lauren2205

Our standing charge is 35p per day and unit rate is 15p/kWh. I've done a price comparison and it's coming up with one company cheaper than what we're paying now, it would work out around £5 per week cheaper, which is a start but still £120 a month seems quite expensive.
I took a meter reading while I was on the phone to the energy supplier last night, and there was £17.66 on it. I've switched everything off this morning before work and took another reading on my way out, there's £14.35 left.

talesfromtania

I live in an Electric only one bedroom flat with a prepaid meter and recently I've noticed it's costing me a fortune, but I think that's because I've had the heating on alot what with it being so cold. I usually only top up £20 per week, less in Summer, but recently it's been costing me £30+ a week!