Massive electric usage

elaines1

Hi I have just checked my monthly bill for electricity to find that my normal usage of 200 300 units it’s now over 5500 for the month. In a complete panic called my supplier to inform them this can’t be right. I’ve bought nothing new and had no issues. They are checking my meter at my cost if it’s fine. Just checked today and do far used 600 units. I can’t eat of sleep worried sick. When I called they said it could be one of my appliances but after speaking to three electrical guys they have advised no appliance could possibly do that without catching fire. Can anyone advise what I should do. Thanks in advance 

MWT

First thing I'd want to do is check that you are reading the meter correctly, so a photo or two here would help, although I'm not sure you can do that yet with a 1 post account.

In general though something somewhere would be generating huge amounts of heat that you couldn't fail to notice if you really were using 600kWh a day...

elaines1

I have emailed them a pic of the meter and it’s correct 5523 units and up to press 570 today 

QrizB

MWT's right, if you've got something using that much power it would be on fire (or your water tank would be boiling and steamin g like a locomotive).

How old is your meter? Is it a mechanical meter with dials, a more modern digital one or a smart meter? Has it got a flashing red light and, if so, is it flashing like a 70s disco?

Try turning everything off at the main switch and see if the meter stops?

biscan25

So 600 units so far this month over 108 hours means roughly 6kW being drawn all the time. This is equivalent to having two kettles boiling away constantly. Unless your house is getting very hot I don't think this is right. I suspect your meter is faulty. Unless your kids have set up a crypto mine?
Do you have an immersion heater which is stuck on?
Do have have a smart meter by any chance? Will make isolating any issue easier.

biscan25

Ah just reread your first comment. 600 units today! I thought you meant month to date. That's even more extreme and nothing could be drawing that much power.

elaines1

I turned everything off and started switching one thing on at a time whether a lamp or tv I can watch the numbers go up at quite a rate. It’s about 7 years old and a smart meter so easy to read never had an issue always checked my bills monthly and updated when an estimated bill 

MWT

Unless one of your neighbours has tapped into your supply and is running a large Crypto mining operation or a major grow-house it really does have to be a fault.

wittynamegoeshere

Do you have an in-home display for your smart meter?  If it's stuffed in a drawer then get it out.  This can tell you the rate of power usage, either in p or kW.

elaines1

Meter in garage so not accessible to anyone. I do not have a farm of any kind or kids just me and lad and yep dogs. I’m very careful no dryer or dishwasher not had heating on so I’m at a loss and panicky 

elaines1

I’ve dug out the display thingy and today I’ve actually used 3 today according to that