Help Please! Ongoing energy issues with Thermaflow System

Nunat

I am in constant conflict with Npower and my power consumption. My Thermaflow unit has 4 elements each consisting of 3kw. 2 used for hot water in summer and the other 2 for heating and used in conjunction with the hot water in winter. I am currently on an economy 10 tariff and pay £100 monthly (some months £150). Despite attempt to resolve the issue I am getting nowhere.
If I am to use 'full power' for 6 months of the year for approximately 5 hours of the day (thermostatically controlled and set to 18c; so not actually continually drawing power), what would you estimate my costs to be? I have roughly calculated +/- £5 per day and yet am still being hounded for almost £2000 outstanding!
I am getting no where and can not find any assistance. Any leads for me would be greatly appreciated.
Nunat.

matelodave

Unfortunately the thermaflow type heating system is probablty the most expensive way to heat the place. It uses energy whilst heating and even running it on an E10 tariff probably means that you are using a fair amount of peak rate energy unless you ensure that you only use it during the off peak periods. What is your split bewteen peak and off peak consumption.

You need to be gathering meter readings to be able to evaluate how much energy you are using - not estimates but actual meter readings.

There is no reason to be in conflict if you know how much energy you are using and that your bills acurately reflect your consumption and that your Direct Debit is covering the cost. Most conflicts arise when estimates are involved, DD's aren't set correctly and people dont check their bills properly.

Do you read your meters regularly (at least every month). Do you send the readings into your supplier every month. Do you check your bills and on-line account every month to ensure that the readings are being used and get them corrected if they aren't.

Have you got actual peak and off peak meter readings approximately 12 months apart so you can work out your annual energy consumption on each rate. What is the tariff cost, peak and off peak and how much is the standing charge.

Try keeping a daily or weekly record of your meter readings just to see how much you are actually using at each rate and do the sums - you may be surprised and even shocked at how much you do actualy use. I dont know what your tariff rates are but I'm guessing that the peak rate is quite high and AFAIK even E10 off-peak isn't everso cheap.

You could try working out how much you would pay if you were on a single rate tariff

Nunat

Thank you. I am starting today to keep a daily tally of the meter readings and will note them. I only use it during off peak times and at the moment it is switched on for 4 hours (2 in the afternoon and 2 in the evening). The rest of the time I either rely on a portable gas heater for the room I am occupying or a small coal fire. I have only ever had estimates despite assurances they would read the meter. There is also conflict with the physical address and actual meter assigned to the property I live in, with SSE having assigned it to a neighbour for approx. a 3 month period! In all a total mess. I just don't know where to start or how to tackle what for me an enormous problem, made all the harder by npower not honouring their promise to rectify the administrative details. This is my fourth winter without adequate heating and am at breaking point.
I'll be making a trip to CAB as soon as I can.