Huge jump in monthly bill

LilMissPotatoHead

My electricity gets paid by DD every month at £42.71. Today, £101.31 was taken for electricity and that’s how much will come out based on “projections”. I’m £58.15 in credit now!

Their previous projections had me estimated to pay £444.39 electricity but I only used £396.72.

This is with British Gas and I have a smart meter. How the hell can they justify such a hike??

Merlin139

At this point in the year you should be in credit as you will use more electricity in the Autumn and Winter months.

I would suggest that your DD is probably too low. How long have you been building up credit? How many kWh's have you been using each month?

If you provide more information people maybe able to explain where the problem is.

Robin9

OP - has your BG Tariff fix recently finished and are you now on a BG standard variable tariff (ie expensive)

Although you say you are on a Smart meter was that installed by BG during the course of the fix or was it installed by a previous supplier.?

Have you been reading your meter and do your readings agree with the bills ?

LilMissPotatoHead

It’s a new build 2 bedroom bungalow and I’ve only been in since January and the smart meter was there when I moved in. I’m in a fixed tarrif which ends in February 2019.

I’ve been on maternity leave this full time and live with my husband and baby so will just be using the same amount of electricity in autumn/winter as I have done so far as I won’t be returning to work (career break) and we have gas central heating.

I’ve been using on average 300kWh since I’ve moved in. Lowest being 276 in February & June & highest being 318 in March. I used 305 in August.

Robin9

As it was there when you moved in its not working in Smart mode and if you want accurate bills you must read your meter at least every month - keep your own records and tell your supplier.

Read your meter NOW and give it to your supplier.

LilMissPotatoHead

How do you put it into smart mode? I go online to submit a meter reading but it says it doesn’t need meter readings and won’t let me submit one.

Robin9

You can't put it into Smart mode - it might one day when the industry have sorted out its IT but don't hold your breath.

Ring BG with your reading and ask them why you can't enter them online.

PS How does your reading compare with BG last bill ?

PennineAcute

Robin9 wrote: »

As it was there when you moved in its not working in Smart mode and if you want accurate bills you must read your meter at least every month - keep your own records and tell your supplier.

Read your meter NOW and give it to your supplier.

You are assuming that the OP's Smart Meter was not installed by BG. The OP has stated that the SM was there when they moved in, but has not stated that they have moved company since they moved in.

If the OP's online account will not allow them to enter readings, my betting is that the smart meter is working as it was intended to do, and is smart and not dumb.

Robin9

OP - while you talking meters and bills what about your gas ?

Robin9

PennineAcute wrote: »

You are assuming that the OP's Smart Meter was not installed by BG. The OP has stated that the SM was there when they moved in, but has not stated that they have moved company since they moved in.

If the OP's online account will not allow them to enter readings, my betting is that the smart meter is working as it was intended to do, and is smart and not dumb.

Sorry yes it is an assumption - OP can you clarify please.

Merlin139

If you have been using an average of 300 kWh's per month your DD was too low. I think you should be paying around £65 per month.

What is the unit price per kWh for your fixed rate? How much is the Standing charge per day?

I think you would benefit from doing a new comparison and putting your usage in as 320 kWh.

See what you get and think about switching supplier.