Help needed on extremely high electricity bill

tim_p

matelodave said:

TBH if it was me, I'd take the cover off the splitter box and very carefully using an insulated screwdriver remove the two cable than go into the floor and then see what happens (I dont suggest you do that unless you know what you are doing - electricity kills)

Me too, although if there is something drawing a load then it might be a bit sparky!  That said, it’d be proof of a rogue device causing the problem. 

Gentlegiant

Guys, 
Just some questions regarding the change in electricity tariffs.

- Should I switch to a smart meter? 

- If asked, what is my basic consumption for a non E7 standard plan?
- Do I still use E7 on the new plan or just go with a single rate plan? 

Any other suggestions please let me know. I intend to call BG today after work and change the tarrif I am currently on. 

Many Thanks for all your help thus far. Really appreciate it 

Gentlegiant

tim_p said:

matelodave said:

TBH if it was me, I'd take the cover off the splitter box and very carefully using an insulated screwdriver remove the two cable than go into the floor and then see what happens (I dont suggest you do that unless you know what you are doing - electricity kills)

Me too, although if there is something drawing a load then it might be a bit sparky!  That said, it’d be proof of a rogue device causing the problem. 

From the pictures of the meter cupboard posted this morning, on the day rate (rate 2) It appears I have only used 6kwh from Sunday Evening. Although I expect that to get to 8kwh by the time I get home. And if Rate 1 follows the same pattern, thats like 16kwh in 2days. This readings are inconsistent with my usage on the bill. 

I am confused to say the least. But I am looking forward to having the “Technician” this weekend 

Gentlegiant

theoretica said:

Gentlegiant said:

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) 

A problem - a mystery drain equivalent of a 60 W bulb so not a huge problem, but not quite right

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

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.32

480w - that seems high - but you might have just caught the fridge when it was running at maximum.  Worth investigating.

Smoke Alarm 

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.35

90W - not sure what a smoke alarm usually is, but seems high as they are usually batter powered and that would take a lot of batteries.  Or is it only 30W because of the 60W mystery drain?

 All light bulbs turned on

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2-76744.40

150W - not all LEDs? Probably not the source of your main problem.

Water Heater 

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2 - 76744.47

210W feels on the high side especially if it is constant and you didn't just catch it at a maximum usage moment.

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? 

I have been monitoring the meter like we use it normally since Sunday when I did the 20mins test. According to the readings, it looks set to be 16kwh by the end of today which still doesn’t explain the massive usage I am getting 

matelodave

have you not been reading or understanding the whole of this thread (now 21 pages long) - it appears that you are giving free leccy away to someone else.

Please, please, please, read the meter carefully - both registers and then turn off the big red switch for an hour. Sit in the dark if you have to. If the meter increments by even 1 watt  on either register then something else is using it and any info that you think you are gathering is going to be wrong and so of no possible use in determining your consumption.

being on the wrong or a poor tariff is the least of your problems if someone else is using 50% or more of what you are paying for. There really is no point in trying change suppliers or even tariffs until you get the issue of where its all going and who is going to pay for the stuff that you've probably lost sorted out.

BG wont care who pays so long as somebody does and at the moment its down to you because you are their account holder and it's all coming through the meter that is your responsibility. The fact that you didn't install or modify the wiring isn't down to them it's between you and your landlord and whoever has been getting the benefit of the leccy that you have been paying for.

Hasbeen

Gentlegiant said:

theoretica said:

Gentlegiant said:

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) 

A problem - a mystery drain equivalent of a 60 W bulb so not a huge problem, but not quite right

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

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.32

480w - that seems high - but you might have just caught the fridge when it was running at maximum.  Worth investigating.

Smoke Alarm 

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2- 76744.35

90W - not sure what a smoke alarm usually is, but seems high as they are usually batter powered and that would take a lot of batteries.  Or is it only 30W because of the 60W mystery drain?

 All light bulbs turned on

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2-76744.40

150W - not all LEDs? Probably not the source of your main problem.

Water Heater 

Rate 1 - 25898.69

Rate 2 - 76744.47

210W feels on the high side especially if it is constant and you didn't just catch it at a maximum usage moment.

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? 

I have been monitoring the meter like we use it normally since Sunday when I did the 20mins test. According to the readings, it looks set to be 16kwh by the end of today which still doesn’t explain the massive usage I am getting 

OP when you get home. Go to the door of the empty flat below you.

Lift the letter box and see if you can smell something Weedy? 

At the moment it appears you are getting power taken from you?

Gerry1

Gentlegiant said:

- Should I switch to a smart meter? 

No, unless you don't intend to send meter readings monthly.

Gentlegiant said:

- If asked, what is my basic consumption for a non E7 standard plan?
- Do I still use E7 on the new plan or just go with a single rate plan?

You'll have to guess.  If you expect to get the 'down below' problem sorted out then you could try 2900kWh.

Gentlegiant said:

- Do I still use E7 on the new plan or just go with a single rate plan?

Keep it simple.  Just go with single rate on the E7 meter, just as you are at the moment.

Gentlegiant said:

I intend to call BG today after work and change the tarrif I am currently on.

As previously stated that's not a good idea because BG's best tariffs are only available via comparison sites: start with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?' and perhaps a few others such as Uswitch (making sure you click on Filter so that you see the whole market).  You could always make a note of the exact name of tariff that's the cheapest and then phone BG and ask them to switch you to it, but almost certainly the call centre staff probably won't be able to access any info about it so you'll have to use a comparison site.

You could also try British Gas Evolve, but with your debt you may find that plain British Gas may block the transfer if they consider British Gas Evolve to be a separate company.

Alternatively, if you accept that the BG bill is accurate then you could pay it if you can afford to do so and then switch to the cheapest tariffs from the whole market.  You should also switch your gas from pre-payment to a credit meter; you have separate suppliers at present and they may well remain cheaper than dual fuel, although probably not the same ones.

If it turns out that you having been paying for another flat's usage then you may wish to contact Citizens Advice if your landlord is unhelpful.  There won't be any point in discussing it with BG because it's not their concern who then uses the energy that you have purchased from them.

jbuchanangb

From the pictures of the meter cupboard posted this morning, on the day rate (rate 2) It appears I have only used 6kwh from Sunday Evening. Although I expect that to get to 8kwh by the time I get home. And if Rate 1 follows the same pattern, thats like 16kwh in 2days. This readings are inconsistent with my usage on the bill. 

I am confused to say the least.

If you consider the average over the whole period of 759 days from 17/11/18 to 15/12/20 the daily average is 26.8kWh.

This is not out of the ordinary for 2 flats. When you eventually confirm that your meter is indeed feeding the other flat, you will need to negotiate a solution whereby you pay your share and someone else pays the other share. Someone else has advised requesting an electrician to disconnect the feed to downstairs and for the landlord in conjunction with the power company to install a proper solution.

Gentlegiant

Gerry1 said:

Wonder whether the landlord owns the flat below?  If so and it's been getting free electricity then a few rent free months for the OP might be in order.

A man can dream. But yes he owns that too 

niktheguru

I must say despite this being an incredibly long thread it has been very interesting seeing how the saga has panned out.
Must say i'm not entirely convinced this "technician" of the landlord will be particularly helpful, especially if he/she was the person that did the original work in the first place on that splitter.  It might be worth getting a decent electrician out to have a look at it and investigate it. Sure it'll cost a bit, but you may be safer with your case with the landlord that there has been tampering and they would be liable for this if it was there when you moved in.

Gentlegiant, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE as everyone else has said turn off your consumer unit (the two red switches) for an hour and see if your meters change at all. It is the most critical of tests currently.

Also, have you spoken to anyone else in your building about your situation? If so perhaps that could be why it may have improved. alternatively if the flat below is currently unoccupied, all that extra use could be from back when it was actually occupied.