Help needed on extremely high electricity bill

Gentlegiant

Here is a picture of the consumer unit. Alot of the appliances do not have labels except the fridge freezer but I also notice the unit is due for an inspection. 

Gentlegiant

Starting reading -

Rate 1- 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.12

Time taken for each reading - 20mins 

Even after switching everything off at the C-unit for 40min I noticed Rate 2 went from 76744.12 to 76744.16 and continues to read (not sure why that is) 

laptop, fridge freezer, baby cot, console, Tv,

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.32

Smoke Alarm 

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.35

 All light bulbs turned on

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2-76744.40

Water Heater 

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2 - 76744.47

I will do the reading for the oven tomorrow when the missus cook with everything else off. Also, how can I test the kettle alone for 20mins? 

Phones4Chris

@Gentlegiant I've read right through this thread having been pointed this way by a fellow poster here who will remain nameless, but I'm quoting your post from p6 with the bill.
That bill covers 86+47+76 = 209 days where they claim you've used 13719 kWh, that's an average of 65.64kWh per day !!!
(Comments continue below the bill).

Gentlegiant said:

MWT said:

Gentlegiant said:

Here is the most recent bill. I am not sure if it shows both rate being used but you can see i have been judged to have u more than 13000kwh between May-Dec which seems ridiculous. 

Oddly I can't see the bill, so can't comment, but for those who can see a bill posted how does the most recent meter reading shown compare to the photos of the meters posted earlier?

Here is a repost of the bill. Sorry I have had to remove so as to block out personal info. 

Whilst I'm certainly not going to dispute all the advice you've been given so far, it's all perfectly correct, but there is one very important thing I don't see mentioned - That is, you need to contact BG straight away and tell them you are disputing the bill on the grounds that you do not have electrical appliances that are capable of consuming an average of 65.64kWh per day over the 209 days of that bill. That you believe the problem here is that all BG's previous estimates have been wrong and so you have been incorrectly billed since you moved in. Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.
(This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020. What's the point behind this you'll now be asking? Back Billing - OFGEM - the regulator, does not allow companies to back bill for a period of more than 12 months when you have been receiving inaccurate bills. See https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
To my way of thinking, this is totally BG's fault. They are well aware of this rule, they are at fault for not badgering you for meter readings a long time ago. Even doing this, the average consumption is still going to come out at around 20 odd kWh/day - still high.
So you can continue your dispute as follows).
It is not my fault that the previous estimates have been wrong, I wasn't aware that they were under-estimates (as I am now), I didn't know how my meter readings worked as it's a 2-rate meter but I'm billed at one rate for both readings. Since your bill, I've since been advised.on how to read it correctly. You should have sent a meter reader a long time ago and/or written to me saying you must have some accurate meter readings. I'm now also aware of OFGEM rules in that you cannot back bill me for more than 12 months usage.
Quote - "You cannot be charged for gas or electricity used more than 12 months ago if you have not been correctly billed by a supplier"
I trust you will now send me your proposals for a reasonable amended bill.
(Or of course your own words to that effect, but try and make it clear you regard the problem as totally their fault!).
(If they happen to respond saying no, and try to insist you pay the bill they've already sent, your next move would be to say that you don't agree and for them to send you a "deadlock" letter and you will refer the matter to the ombudsman - That'll cost them - but not you - around £500 for starters IIRC!)

Gentlegiant

Phones4Chris said:

@Gentlegiant I've read right through this thread having been pointed this way by a fellow poster here who will remain nameless, but I'm quoting your post from p6 with the bill.
That bill covers 86+47+76 = 209 days where they claim you've used 13719 kWh, that's an average of 65.64kWh per day !!!
(Comments continue below the bill).

Gentlegiant said:

MWT said:

Gentlegiant said:

Here is the most recent bill. I am not sure if it shows both rate being used but you can see i have been judged to have u more than 13000kwh between May-Dec which seems ridiculous. 

Oddly I can't see the bill, so can't comment, but for those who can see a bill posted how does the most recent meter reading shown compare to the photos of the meters posted earlier?

Here is a repost of the bill. Sorry I have had to remove so as to block out personal info. 

Whilst I'm certainly not going to dispute all the advice you've been given so far, it's all perfectly correct, but there is one very important thing I don't see mentioned - That is, you need to contact BG straight away and tell them you are disputing the bill on the grounds that you do not have electrical appliances that are capable of consuming an average of 65.64kWh per day over the 209 days of that bill. That you believe the problem here is that all BG's previous estimates have been wrong and so you have been incorrectly billed since you moved in. Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.
(This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020. What's the point behind this you'll now be asking? Back Billing - OFGEM - the regulator, does not allow companies to back bill for a period of more than 12 months when you have been receiving inaccurate bills. See https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
To my way of thinking, this is totally BG's fault. They are well aware of this rule, they are at fault for not badgering you for meter readings a long time ago. Even doing this, the average consumption is still going to come out at around 20 odd kWh/day - still high.
So you can continue your dispute as follows).
It is not my fault that the previous estimates have been wrong, I wasn't aware that they were under-estimates (as I am now), I didn't know how my meter readings worked as it's a 2-rate meter but I'm billed at one rate for both readings. Since your bill, I've since been advised.on how to read it correctly. You should have sent a meter reader a long time ago and/or written to me saying you must have some accurate meter readings. I'm now also aware of OFGEM rules in that you cannot back bill me for more than 12 months usage.
Quote - "You cannot be charged for gas or electricity used more than 12 months ago if you have not been correctly billed by a supplier"
I trust you will now send me your proposals for a reasonable amended bill.
(Or of course your own words to that effect, but try and make it clear you regard the problem as totally their fault!).
(If they happen to respond saying no, and try to insist you pay the bill they've already sent, your next move would be to say that you don't agree and for them to send you a "deadlock" letter and you will refer the matter to the ombudsman - That'll cost them - but not you - around £500 for starters IIRC!)

Thanks very much indeed for this. If i may, you said “Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.” What does this mean please?

Also, you said 
“This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020.”

Isnt that why they are billing me for using 13718kwh between May2020- Dec 2020? And how do I dispute this? 

I will definitely be calling them today. Thanks again 

Robin9

Gentlegiant said:

,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Also, how can I test the kettle alone for 20mins? 

Switch the kettle on then identify which circuit it is on by switching off  the circuit breaker in the consumer unit - the kettle will switch off.

Put the circuit breaker back on and switch everything on that circuit - read the meter - switch the kettle on - when its boiled reread the meter.

Talldave

It would be worth investing in a clip on energy monitor and fitting it on the live feed out of the meter. You'll then have a real-time readout of how many Watts you're using and can go hunting for the culprit.  Is your property a conversion?  You could be feeding another part of the building?

bagand96

Gentlegiant said:

Whilst I'm certainly not going to dispute all the advice you've been given so far, it's all perfectly correct, but there is one very important thing I don't see mentioned - That is, you need to contact BG straight away and tell them you are disputing the bill on the grounds that you do not have electrical appliances that are capable of consuming an average of 65.64kWh per day over the 209 days of that bill. That you believe the problem here is that all BG's previous estimates have been wrong and so you have been incorrectly billed since you moved in. Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.
(This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020. What's the point behind this you'll now be asking? Back Billing - OFGEM - the regulator, does not allow companies to back bill for a period of more than 12 months when you have been receiving inaccurate bills. See https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
To my way of thinking, this is totally BG's fault. They are well aware of this rule, they are at fault for not badgering you for meter readings a long time ago. Even doing this, the average consumption is still going to come out at around 20 odd kWh/day - still high.
So you can continue your dispute as follows).
It is not my fault that the previous estimates have been wrong, I wasn't aware that they were under-estimates (as I am now), I didn't know how my meter readings worked as it's a 2-rate meter but I'm billed at one rate for both readings. Since your bill, I've since been advised.on how to read it correctly. You should have sent a meter reader a long time ago and/or written to me saying you must have some accurate meter readings. I'm now also aware of OFGEM rules in that you cannot back bill me for more than 12 months usage.
Quote - "You cannot be charged for gas or electricity used more than 12 months ago if you have not been correctly billed by a supplier"
I trust you will now send me your proposals for a reasonable amended bill.
(Or of course your own words to that effect, but try and make it clear you regard the problem as totally their fault!).
(If they happen to respond saying no, and try to insist you pay the bill they've already sent, your next move would be to say that you don't agree and for them to send you a "deadlock" letter and you will refer the matter to the ombudsman - That'll cost them - but not you - around £500 for starters IIRC!)

Thanks very much indeed for this. If i may, you said “Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.” What does this mean please?

Also, you said 
“This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020.”

Isnt that why they are billing me for using 13718kwh between May2020- Dec 2020? And how do I dispute this? 

I will definitely be calling them today. Thanks again 

It's very unlikely that you actually used 13718 kWh between May and December 2020 (even if you do have high useage, that would be insane).

You joined BG when moving into the property in December 2018.  However, other than your opening reading you have never given BG a meter reading.  And BG have never sent anyone to read the meter.  So all of your bills since then have been estimated.  BG have prepared bills based on what they estimate you are using.  But you have been using more than their estimate.

BG then sent a meter reader in December 2020.  This is the first time in 2 years that they have had a real reading from your meter.  And the meter reading is much higher than their estimates.  They are entitled to bill you for that energy, you have to pay for what you use - not just what they estimate.

However, they have added all of that extra use to your latest bill May-Dec 2020.  It's unlikely that it was just accrued between May and December 2020.  More likely is that you've been using more over the entire 2 years.  Industry rules state they cannot bill you for energy used more than 12 months ago.  So what Chris is saying is tell them this.  Tell them to average the extra use over 2 years.  They can't bill you for anything more than 12 months ago, so that would at least reduce the big bill.  With no meter readings though you can't prove this (but neither can BG) so it will be an argument/negotiation between you and them and maybe taking it further as a complaint.

You've two issues going on here:

1) Useage: it seems your useage is high for the property and what you tell us you use. So you need to find out why that is.

2) Billing:  You've been billed on estimates for 2 years because of no meter readings.  So this extra use has only just come to light hence your big surprise bill.  You also need to resolve this, but be prepared it will involve paying - even if you can get some taken off due to the 12 month rule.

And one lesson for the future... always give your energy supplier meter readings regularly, whether they remind you or not!

Robin9

@Gentlegiant  Have you got an online account with BG ?

Give them the latest readings NOW and get into the habit of reading the meter every month.

You haven't mentioned issues with your gas and EDF -  have you given them readings ?  

Gentlegiant

bagand96 said:

Gentlegiant said:

Whilst I'm certainly not going to dispute all the advice you've been given so far, it's all perfectly correct, but there is one very important thing I don't see mentioned - That is, you need to contact BG straight away and tell them you are disputing the bill on the grounds that you do not have electrical appliances that are capable of consuming an average of 65.64kWh per day over the 209 days of that bill. That you believe the problem here is that all BG's previous estimates have been wrong and so you have been incorrectly billed since you moved in. Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.
(This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020. What's the point behind this you'll now be asking? Back Billing - OFGEM - the regulator, does not allow companies to back bill for a period of more than 12 months when you have been receiving inaccurate bills. See https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-guide-your-rights
To my way of thinking, this is totally BG's fault. They are well aware of this rule, they are at fault for not badgering you for meter readings a long time ago. Even doing this, the average consumption is still going to come out at around 20 odd kWh/day - still high.
So you can continue your dispute as follows).
It is not my fault that the previous estimates have been wrong, I wasn't aware that they were under-estimates (as I am now), I didn't know how my meter readings worked as it's a 2-rate meter but I'm billed at one rate for both readings. Since your bill, I've since been advised.on how to read it correctly. You should have sent a meter reader a long time ago and/or written to me saying you must have some accurate meter readings. I'm now also aware of OFGEM rules in that you cannot back bill me for more than 12 months usage.
Quote - "You cannot be charged for gas or electricity used more than 12 months ago if you have not been correctly billed by a supplier"
I trust you will now send me your proposals for a reasonable amended bill.
(Or of course your own words to that effect, but try and make it clear you regard the problem as totally their fault!).
(If they happen to respond saying no, and try to insist you pay the bill they've already sent, your next move would be to say that you don't agree and for them to send you a "deadlock" letter and you will refer the matter to the ombudsman - That'll cost them - but not you - around £500 for starters IIRC!)

Thanks very much indeed for this. If i may, you said “Hence the total usage since you moved in needs to be averaged over that total period.” What does this mean please?

Also, you said 
“This will have the effect of reducing the total usage from Dec.2019 to Dec.2020.”

Isnt that why they are billing me for using 13718kwh between May2020- Dec 2020? And how do I dispute this? 

I will definitely be calling them today. Thanks again 

It's very unlikely that you actually used 13718 kWh between May and December 2020 (even if you do have high useage, that would be insane).

You joined BG when moving into the property in December 2018.  However, other than your opening reading you have never given BG a meter reading.  And BG have never sent anyone to read the meter.  So all of your bills since then have been estimated.  BG have prepared bills based on what they estimate you are using.  But you have been using more than their estimate.

BG then sent a meter reader in December 2020.  This is the first time in 2 years that they have had a real reading from your meter.  And the meter reading is much higher than their estimates.  They are entitled to bill you for that energy, you have to pay for what you use - not just what they estimate.

However, they have added all of that extra use to your latest bill May-Dec 2020.  It's unlikely that it was just accrued between May and December 2020.  More likely is that you've been using more over the entire 2 years.  Industry rules state they cannot bill you for energy used more than 12 months ago.  So what Chris is saying is tell them this.  Tell them to average the extra use over 2 years.  They can't bill you for anything more than 12 months ago, so that would at least reduce the big bill.  With no meter readings though you can't prove this (but neither can BG) so it will be an argument/negotiation between you and them and maybe taking it further as a complaint.

You've two issues going on here:

1) Useage: it seems your useage is high for the property and what you tell us you use. So you need to find out why that is.

2) Billing:  You've been billed on estimates for 2 years because of no meter readings.  So this extra use has only just come to light hence your big surprise bill.  You also need to resolve this, but be prepared it will involve paying - even if you can get some taken off due to the 12 month rule.

And one lesson for the future... always give your energy supplier meter readings regularly, whether they remind you or not!

I thank you for taking time out to explain. I will call them today. And thanks for the advise. After getting this resolved I intend to switch supplier and submit readings regularly 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I asked earlier if you could dig out the very first bill you got from BG, let you see what readings they used as start readings, even though you only have 1 actual reading/photo yourself.