Huge first econ7 bill

Devonsteve

Hi all, just moved mum down near me into a bungalow she has bought that has storage heaters as there is no gas supply to the close. Mum is getting on and has been used to gas central heating and doesnt understand storage heaters. I'm just starting to get how they work.

She was with British gas for electric and gas at the house and cancelled the gas account but kept the electric account when she moved.

She's just had her first winter bill for 2nd Jan to 18th Feb- £455.26!
The meter should be economy 7 and the bill is split into two parts with two separate parts like an economy 7 bill should be. But both parts are calculated at the same unit price of 17.15p? Does this mean it isn't economy 7?
I will ring tomorrow as this is crazy I just wanted to see if anyone could shed any light in the mean time.
It maybe I'm not using the heaters correctly? Whether you set the input dial does it use electricity at this level until the economy 7 tariff finishes at say 7am? Or do you have to physically turn the input dial down to one every morning? They are simple input output heaters. I assume there is an inbuilt timer that cut power used at 7am? Is this right?
Thanks in advance. Steve

BrassicWoman

Hi, the heaters (and maybe the boiler if there is no gas?) will be wired to one circuit and everything else to another.


But that only helps if she is on an economy seven tarriff, otherwise it's all charged at normal rates, so that is the first thing I would check.


Also, did you take a meter reading when she moved in, and is the bill based on that and accurate?

Devonsteve

Hi, yes I did take and give, British gas meter readings when she moved in. I didn't have them to hand to check as yet. I'm beginning to think for some reason, even though there is 2 sets of readings she isn't on economy 7. My other confusion is whether all night storage heaters are designed to switch off input as soon as the cheap rate ends or do you have to turn down the input manually? I've been leaving it on about 4 to work out her usage ask the time. Do I have to turn the input right down when the cheap rate ends? Thanks

BrassicWoman

it depends on the heater design.. best get a model number and google.

PeterGr

The off peak supply to storage heaters is switched at the intake / distribution board and not at the heater. It should be clear at the consumer units that the supplies for the storage heaters and immersion heater are separated.


The input control is varied according to the expected weather. In these mild conditions it is turned down to 1 and in very cold weather it gets increased to maximum. This in turn reduces consumption in autumn and spring.


Also check the settings and controls for the hot water system.


You don't take energy accounts with you to a new property. You establish the account with the existing supplier then select your preferred tariff from that supplier or arrange a switch. Your bill / online account should clearly show the name of the account. Did you get a welcome letter and terms when you moved in?


From the readings what is the proportion of the off peak / night units. It should be 40 - 70% in winter and then E7 is beneficial.

Dandytf

I have eco 7 total 351 over 3months winter via Sse averaging 117 per winter month.
I had been paying 81 DD per month most of 2018.
Yet Sse didn't think anything unusual cost wise and prices have increased again according to their advisor.
Wanted to mention my bill is correct in displaying both day and night usage/cost per Eco 7.
Does the meter in question have dual display, how are they being reported to provider in case there's been any day/night confusion.

Devonsteve

Thanks everyone. It's looking like the tariffs are wrong and there is no economy 7.i told British gas this when moved in. Need to talk to them tomorrow.

Dandytf

Devonsteve wrote: »

Thanks everyone. It's looking like the tariffs are wrong and there is no economy 7.i told British gas this when moved in. Need to talk to them tomorrow.

Well done in finding a solution from tomorrow.

Cardew

Devonsteve wrote: »

She was with British gas for electric and gas at the house and cancelled the gas account but kept the electric account when she moved.

Your mother cannot keep the electric bill with BG on moving.


In the new house she has entered a legally binding 'deemed contract' with whoever was supplying the property before she moved in i.e. became the owner.


She had to contact whoever was the previous supplier and give them the meter readings and set up a payment method. She can then set in motion a switch to BG if that is her favoured supplier; however the switch can take several weeks and she will have to pay the old supplier for the period before the switch.


Even if BG were supplying the house for the previous occupant, it is still a new contract with different meter serial numbers.


Did she give BG the closing meter readings for both gas and electricity in her old house?

Robin9

Devonsteve wrote: »

....................e. But both parts are calculated at the same unit price of 17.15p? Does this mean it isn't economy 7?....................

That's what it looks like. its also possible that she's on a standard rate tariff and not a fix which will probably be cheaper.

The reads on Jan 2 and Feb 18 will ESTIMATED - unless you've read them.

Ring BG and get reading those meters and take control.

Devonsteve

The meter gives 3 readings and I think the storage heaters are on a seperate tariff reading. The trouble seems to be that both tariffs are daytime standard tariffs. I've contacted British gas and they said the tariffs are wrong and will correct and back date.