British Gas huge bills!

Bounty1

When I look back on the readings, most are read, two were estimated in that time

matelodave

Is this spam or a phising exercise - CESL.ME is Cardiff Energy Suppy Limited.

Be careful what you send, I'm afraid I've got quite cynical after 70 odd years

Robin9

Bounty1 wrote: »

When I look back on the readings, most are read, two were estimated in that time

- If any are ESTIMATED then you are not comparing like with like.

Bounty1

I’ve used the plug, fridge freezer used 2.1 kWh in 24 hours. Heating has been off today in case it’s the pump, used 8 kWh in 10 hours without heating on, only things on in that time was fridge freezer, fridge and new small freezer

Robin9

Bounty1 wrote: »

I’ve used the plug, fridge freezer used 2.1 kWh in 24 hours. Heating has been off today in case it’s the pump, used 8 kWh in 10 hours without heating on, only things on in that time was fridge freezer, fridge and new small freezer

You do like your freezers don't you.

There will be a few lights and items on standby but assuming a similar load pattern over 24 hours these 3 items are consuming 20 units a day ie about £2.50/day and nearly £1000 a year.

matelodave

Bounty1 wrote: »

I’ve used the plug, fridge freezer used 2.1 kWh in 24 hours. Heating has been off today in case it’s the pump, used 8 kWh in 10 hours without heating on, only things on in that time was fridge freezer, fridge and new small freezer

What about the router, Sky box, TV, computers & stuff on standby. Things like cookers, washing machines and other appliances with clocks or touch buttons consume power continuosly unless switched off at the wall, as do phone chargers. Was the heating shut down by turning down the thermosat or was the boiler actually switched off at the mains.

We had a couple of electric recliners that consumed 15watts each if they were left plugged in - that's 0.75kwh a day or 273kwh a year = around £32

If your fridge freezer takes 2.11kw, how much does the fridge and small freezer take - I have to ask, why so many?

When I shut everything down (including the fridge when we go away) it's unplugged or switched off at the wall. With just the router, Sky box, freezer and a couple of powerline adapters I'm down to 3.5kwh a day. Our normal daily average is around 8-10kwh and that includes heating our hot water with electricity.

Robin9

matelodave wrote: »

The first thing you need to do is start reading your meters a bit more often, at least once a month, preferably once a week so you know exactly how much energy you are using rather than just guessing. You can also see what happens when you change your habits.

You should also be sending in readings to your supplier at least once a month and checking your bills and on-line account to make sure that they are using your readings and not estimates. DO NOT ACCEPT estimates, get the bills corrected. It only needs a couple of estimated bills to get you into a arrears if you dont check them.





You'll see how well you are doing by keeping a weekly or monthly record of your consumption and making sure that it decreases.

Non of it is rocket science but being a bit pro-active, rather than letting it all happen around you can save you a lot of money and is quite satisfying when you can see how much you are saving.

The above is the advice that Matelowdave gave when you first posted. How are you getting on with reading your meter and keeping records ?

Bounty1

My router, TVs and sky box were still plugged in and I shut the heating off completely (our heating pump sounds very noisy )

We have a small annex, this is reason for two fridge freezers.

Yes I’ve been taking a reading everyday, the lowest it’s been was 20 kWh in one day and everyone was out all day, when we are home it’s been around 24 kWh a day.

Robin9

You certainly have a high base load.

Tell us a bit more about the annex - is it a granny annex with its own kitchen, bedroom - what heats it ? To me on first sight you actually have two properties here.

Bounty1

It’s a converted 4 car garage, part of it including the bathroom is used from original house so is heated by two radiators that were originally used for the house. It does have a kitchen, my parents live in it but only have the tv on a few hours and not many else.