Very High Energy Bills - But Why..?

SurgicalA

I was with EDF but I wasn’t able to afford it so I switched to Bulb because Bulb’s electric rate is like 12p per kWh, and EDF was like 18p p/kwh. Its a 4 bedroom house but there’s often only 3 people living here. I do have a tumble dryer but it only gets used 3x a week for 2.5 hours each.

The first 1.5 months with Bulb came to £116. The next 30 days came to £132 (inc Gas).

Why is my bill so high with Bulb when the rate is so much cheaper than my previous supplier? I’m using a smart meter so all my usage figures go to them but we hardly have many devices on. 3-4 tv’s, few Xbox’s and a few lights are the MAIN daily items being used.

Maybe I should ask whether I’m with the right supplier..are there cheaper ones? My central heating seems to be costing so much as well..

Blackpool_Saver

It has got colder

Robin9

The basic question - are your bills based on ACTUAL or ESTIMATED readings, are you giving regular readings to Bulb ? (Don't expect the meter reader to call around.) If so what are they please ?



PS Typical 4 bed house for gas and electric £125 a month so the figures you quote are not exceptionally high

SurgicalA

30-35 a week inc gas is just costing far too much, and that’s with Bulb...

SurgicalA

@blackpool_saver

Meaning..?


@Robin9

I think it’s my actual readings because my usage is sent automatically daily to Bulb via my smets2.

Robin9

SurgicalA wrote: »

@blackpool_saver

Meaning..?


@Robin9

I think it’s my actual readings because my usage is sent automatically daily to Bulb via my smets2.

No - it probably isn't unless you have Smart meters (even if they are Smets2) installed by Bulb at your request.

Read your meters and give us the readings please.

Blackpool_Saver

SurgicalA wrote: »

@blackpool_saver

Meaning..?


@Robin9

I think it’s my actual readings because my usage is sent automatically daily to Bulb via my smets2.

Meaning when the weather is colder the stat makes the heating kick in more, also the water in the pipes is colder so takes more heating....:rotfl:

SurgicalA

@Robin9

https://ibb.co/1Gjdm0Q
https://ibb.co/NKqNXw0

Robin9

Thank you - nothing particularly unusual here. On a par with my 4 bed gas heated.

You need to look close to home to your usage, insulation, appliances.

Electric shower ? old fridge/freezer,? double glazed, roof insulation, age of house ?

SurgicalA

1 electric shower which is used about once a week, and the other type used about 8x a week.

1 freezer, 2 fridges and a mini fridge.
House built in 2007 so probably all 3.

Gerry1

SurgicalA wrote: »

Maybe I should ask whether I’m with the right supplier..are there cheaper ones?

No wonder your bills are so high if you haven't entered your annual kWh figures into a few price comparison websites ! Bulb aren't particularly cheap - that's your first mistake. :eek:
If each shower lasts 10 minutes and they're 10kW jobs at 12p/kWh, that's £93.60 per year. Heat the water with gas instead at about a quarter of the cost !

Tumble dryer: add £140.40, so you're spending £234. Add the standing charge and that's probably over £300 before you've even switched on a lightbulb or a TV. If you had a gas tumble dryer at 3p/kWh you'd save about £100 per year.

2.5 hours per load seems a long time. If your electric dryer is missing a moisture sensor then even greater savings can be made.