Market inducement scams

EssexAcDc

To Robin9, I have a coffee maker (by the cup) as I don't drink tea, a fridge in the kitchen bought last November from AO, my freezer bought from AO last Summer, Washing machine used every two weeks also from AO and a washing line.  My hot water is on my Combi gas boiler along with the central heating The boiler only heats the water when you turn on the tap as with my shower and so I do not have a storage tank.  I had my bath taken out as I could no longer get into it. and I certainly don't have an emersion water heater.....no way, my parents had one when I was a child and all they did was feed the meter (Shillings (5Ps now)) a time every time and every 10/15 minutes when we wanted a bath. My tropical fish tank is 6ft long by 3ft wide and 2ft tall but once the water is heated to 68 degrees, it does not lose heat quickly as it is well insulated with a hood and so not open to large amounts of evaporation and I have two fish tank heaters on it so they do not come on very often and when they do it is not for long. and of course I have a standard lamp in my living room with a modern 40 watt bulb.  I send my meter reading on the 1st day of every month and every month I end up owing an extra balance which I pay immediately along with my £125.00 Direct Debit. I thank you all and most of you are saying that I seem to be using a lot so I will ask for a meter check and see if it is working properly.  I have always had large electric bills which I thought was the norm.  Thank you all once again.

niktheguru

Agree with the other posters, you are using a crazily high amount of usage. We are a family of four and also charge an electric car and we use approx 6500kwh of electricity a year (and have gas central heating)

I don’t really think the OPs concerns are justified. Everyone’s usage is different. Octopus are among the most transparent and helpful of suppliers. He is not locked into any tariff with octopus as they don’t charge exit fees. Yes, they are no longer cheap with their standard tariffs compared to the competition but I don’t think they’re is leading anyone.

Robin9

EssexAcDc said:

........... I send my meter reading on the 1st day of every month and every month I end up owing an extra balance which I pay immediately along with my £125.00 Direct Debit. ...................  I have always had large electric bills which I thought was the norm.  Thank you all once again.

Is this DD just for the Electric or does it include Gas ?   Even if both the cost of your energy usage is very high.

At this time of year your gas costs should be minimal.

Can you describe your electric meter to us please ?  Is it an old clock type where the dials go in different directions ; a car speedometer type or a modern digital one. All can have challenges in reading -watch out for the decimal point in modern meters !

Robin9

@EssexAcDc  In a similar position to you - OAP cook by electric, gas heating. The only difference I can see is that I don't keep fish - I'm a (two) cat person.

Going back to your points about averages and normals.  The average is actually falling as we get more modern housing stock - better insulation, solar panels and appliances .

My electric is 5.100 kWh (which I know is high but it's due to the lifestyle I life - at home and no holidays.  That gets balanced out by properties where 2 adults out at work and take 3/4 weeks holiday.

My gas is 10,100 kWh

My bills are  lot less than yours - electric with GNE/EDF and gas with Zog