Scottish Power chasing me for £350, I have never used them.

zippygeorgeandben

Hi Gerry,
First of all, thank you for your responses so far. Don't apologise for 'Sorry to say this...' as I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. We rent the flat. There are a variety of Dimplex (?) wall heaters in the property but we don't use these. We never used the wall heaters in the previous flat either. Previously, we were with EON between 2010-2019 and it was roughly around £95pcm. Then I moved to Bulb in March 2019 and they estimated £48pcm. In July they said estimated on usage it would have to be around £85pcm.
It does seem hideously warm in the airing cupboard when I open it and all these switches just don't make sense. Some of cables attached, some don't. We use 2 or 3 melt warmers in each room for smells and we think that they might contribute to the expensive bill.

Essmum

Was SP the supplier when you moved into the property? If not I'm unsure why they are billing you..
You should have contacted the supplier when you moved in to give opening reads etc,then you can initiate a switch to whoever you choose.
Ask SP or bulb to screenshot a pic from the national database showing who was actually supplying the property on the date you became responsible for the property.
As for the plug in oil burners I doubt they use much electricity but you could always switch to the tea light ones..I get a bag of 100 tea lights from wilkos for £2..they do the same job as the plug in ones.

zippygeorgeandben

I think that's my worry Essmum - that it wasn't SP who supplied previously, it was Ovo. How would I have known who the supplier was when moving in? It's only because I asked the previous tenant. I thought I was being proactive in alerting Bulb that I was moving addresses and wanted to take them with me. All this 'Our easy move team will help you on your way; didn't pan out at all.
The plug in ones have a heating element in them. They are solidified melts and liquify them over a period of hours.

Swipe

Is it possible that the previous tenant was mistaken when they told you it was Ovo? Have you seen a recent actual bill to confirm this? Have you also checked the meter's serial number with the one on your bill?

Swipe

zippygeorgeandben wrote: »

How would I have known who the supplier was when moving in?

For anyone moving into a new property, this information can be found from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

Essmum

Call them and ask for a screenshot of who was supplying the property when you moved in..if the dates dont tally up then you dont owe them.
Did you take a meter reading the date you moved in?

Gerry1

zippygeorgeandben wrote: »

Previously, we were with EON between 2010-2019 and it was roughly around £95pcm. Then I moved to Bulb in March 2019 and they estimated £48pcm. In July they said estimated on usage it would have to be around £85pcm.

Aaaaarrrrggghhh ! Every mistake in the book, and then some. Rough approximations, estimates, DD amounts instead of kWh, relying on their guesstimates rather than you understanding it properly and doing the sums yourself. That way it will all end in tears, guaranteed.

Repeat after me... how many kiloWatts, kiloWatts, kiloWatts, how many kiloWatt hours, kiloWatt hours, kiloWatt hours, think pence per kiloWatt hour, pence per kiloWatt hour, pence per kiloWatt hour, do the sums, do the sums, do the sums... Rinse and repeat.

zippygeorgeandben wrote: »

It does seem hideously warm in the airing cupboard when I open it

Pop down to the DIY store and get an insulating jacket (or another one).

zippygeorgeandben wrote: »

... and all these switches just don't make sense. Some of cables attached, some don't.

Follow the wiring, switch things off and see what happens, knowledge is power. The biggest clanger is having E7 and then leaving the boost immersion heater permanently on; it burns up £££ at the expensive daytime rate.

zippygeorgeandben wrote: »

We use 2 or 3 melt warmers in each room for smells and we think that they might contribute to the expensive bill.

Unlikely.

• How many kiloWatts? Far less than one?
• How many kiloWatt hours?
• How many pence per kiloWatt hour? 13?
• Now do the sums !

Andy_WSM

What a bloomin' good reply Gerry1 :T

zippygeorgeandben

Let me digest Gerry and buy you a Gin and Tonic to say thank you!

Gerry1

Thanks, happy to help !

Remember, there are only two rules.

(1) Everything is complicated, nothing is simple or straightforward.
(2) Do your homework and you can save a fortune.
(3) The watchdogs and regulators are always useless.

Yes, I know that makes three. I told you nothing was ever simple or straightforward...