Help needed on extremely high electricity bill

matelodave

tim_p said:

matelodave said:

tim_p said:

That ‘water heater’ is surely a gas boiler. 

Probably is, but it still heats water and is probably connected to the water heater switch on the distribution panel. I guess they didn't have a sticky label to differentiate between a gas boiler and a hot water tank 

But vastly different electricity consumption. Surprised a boiler would have a 16A breaker but just checked mine and it’s got a 16A one too. 

I think we’ve been somewhat confused about what’s going on here, especially talk of a ‘water heater’ that’s causing high consumption (as an immersion would). Let alone earlier talk of a heated child’s cot!

Lets not get diverted from the real issue, which appears to be a couple of hefty cables from the metered supply which are disappearing into the floor.

Gentlegiant

Robin9 said:

At the very bottom of page 2 - "Standard"  ie the expensive one
|Go to BG and switch to their best tariff.

I will after work today. Thanks 

Gentlegiant

Hasbeen said:

Gentlegiant said:

Here are the pictures of the meter cupboard, and the water heater 

OP here in the UK that is known as a Combi Boiler.
It heats central heating and hot water on demand.

Is that what the LH switch operates?

Yes thats the B16 switch and we use the bottom left dial on the combi boiler to increase/decrease the central heating. 

Gentlegiant

Hasbeen said:

matelodave said:

Looking at the pictures - the boiler looks like a combi as its got temperature settings for both heating and hot water - I assume that you dont have a hot water tank.

Whats is suspicious is the two pairs of heavy cables coming out of the the double pole connector block. I assume that the red and black are the incoming feed from the MEM box which feed the meter but then two cables com e from the meter to the splitter, however you've got two pairs of cables from the splitter.  One pair goes upwards - presumably to your fuse panel, but where do the two go than disappear into the floor - it looks like you could be supplying another flat.

This is the picture that we've all been waiting for and which may be the clue to why you are using lots of leccy when you thing you've turned stuff off

Definitely suspicious.

A question for the  LL "technician" OP.

Thanks I will keep this in mind

tim_p

Out of interest, what’s your gas costing on a monthly basis?

Gentlegiant

tim_p said:

Out of interest, what’s your gas costing on a monthly basis?

Like £10 for like 10-15days 

Robin9

Judging by the suppliers MEM metal clad service termination this is a very old block of flats - purpose built as OP described them but I think it's a  conversion.. We were fitting plastic terminations when I started in the industry pre 1970.




This is not a typical meter box - it looks like a door fitted with kitchen cupboard hinges. There are signs also of an old meter.  

tim_p

Gentlegiant said:

tim_p said:

Out of interest, what’s your gas costing on a monthly basis?

Like £10 for like 10-15days 

On the low side then. I forget what you said about actual heating use. 

Gerry1

Umpteenth time of asking: have you done the overnight Meter Sanity Test?  It would make sense to do that before the electrician attends.  If the meter flashes and / or the reading increases when the red switch on the consumer unit is off then you have evidence of something that's not right.  Take a video if this happens.  If you can datestamp it e.g. by including a DAB radio displaying date and time and / or playing the news headlines then so much the better.

You should also do a much shorter version at several other times; if it's supplying another flat, it may not use much electricity overnight, so include breakfast, tea time and evening.   Switch everything off at the consumer unit, and watch the meter light like a hawk for about 10 minutes.  The red light should never flash even once.

Before switching things off at the consumer unit, power down and disconnect all sensitive equipment.  Then switch off all the individual black circuit breakers before finally throwing the red switch.

I note that the MEM box appears to be missing a wire seal on the left, and the paper seals seem to be broken.  Together with the missing seal on the meter this does suggest some irregular activity may have taken place.

Can you get an idea of where the suspicious wiring goes, e.g. by lifting the wood panel at the bottom?  Is there a flat below yours and is it occupied?

If you're feeling brave, you could ask that the wires apparently going 'down below' should be left disconnected within the Eterna Lighting box to see whether anything within your flat loses its supply.  If your consumption then halves you'll have the answer. 

Gentlegiant

Gerry1 said:

Umpteenth time of asking: have you done the overnight Meter Sanity Test?  It would make sense to do that before the electrician attends.  If the meter flashes and / or the reading increases when the red switch on the consumer unit is off then you have evidence of something that's not right.  Take a video if this happens.  If you can datestamp it e.g. by including a DAB radio displaying date and time and / or playing the news headlines then so much the better.

You should also do a much shorter version at several other times; if it's supplying another flat, it may not use much electricity overnight, so include breakfast, tea time and evening.   Switch everything off at the consumer unit, and watch the meter light like a hawk for about 10 minutes.  The red light should never flash even once.

Before switching things off at the consumer unit, power down and disconnect all sensitive equipment.  Then switch off all the individual black circuit breakers before finally throwing the red switch.

I note that the MEM box appears to be missing a wire seal on the left, and the paper seals seem to be broken.  Together with the missing seal on the meter this does suggest some irregular activity may have taken place.

Can you get an idea of where the suspicious wiring goes, e.g. by lifting the wood panel at the bottom?  Is there a flat below yours and is it occupied?

If you're feeling brave, you could ask that the wires apparently going 'down below' should be left disconnected within the Eterna Lighting box to see whether anything within your flat loses its supply.  If your consumption then halves you'll have the answer. 

I already explained when i did the 20mins test that the meter still reads (i.e the last 2 digits after the decimal) when everything is off. 

Again i have contacted the landlord and he will be sending a technician to have a look.