Empty Apartment Electricity Usage

IYKYK

Hi MSE-ers!

I hope you're all keeping safe and well.

I received the keys to a 2-bedroom apartment which is electric only - no gas - just over a month ago. However, I haven't moved in yet. Our electric meters are in a locked cupboard - but we can request photos of the meters etc. I have the opening read and have now gone to submit my first "usage" read. 

In 35 days, I've managed to consume 446 units - I don't understand how this is possible for an empty apartment? It's heated through electric panel radiators - which are all off at the mains. There's underfloor heating in the bathrooms - which is also off. All appliances are also switched off at the mains.

I'm visiting tomorrow, so I'm hoping for some ideas on what I can check and test for whilst I'm there? It's a new build (1-year-old) and there's nothing obvious that would be consuming electricity (i.e. intercoms, video doorbells, external lights etc.)

Thank you.

MWT

All of the usual comments apply here, you need to verify that the meter you have photos of is actually your meter...

Need to check that water heating is also turned off as that could account for a good part of that use...

Have to wonder if the photos of the meter were actually taken on the day you got the keys, or perhaps some time before that...

jbuchanangb

By now you should have contacted the electricity supply company which supplies the flat, as you are responsible for the bills from when you got the keys. You should have contacted them and opened an account. It is not good that you are unable to access the meter. It is not uncommon when multiple meters are in a communal cupboard that various things get mistaken. For example, the meter of which you have photos might not be the one connected to your flat. Even if it is the meter which the electricity company thinks is connected to your flat it still might not be. Where is the consumer unit for your flat? Consumer unit is a box with a big red switch and a row of little black switches. Find it and switch off the big red switch. Then you will know that no electricity is going into the flat. Find out who has the key to the meter cupboard. Ask them for a key. If that isn't forthcoming, arrange to meet them at the meter cupboard so you can perform a consumption test. That is switch everything possible on in the flat, and look at the meters to see which one has the red light flashing like mad. That way you will know which meter really connected to your flat. Verify that this is the one that they have been treating as yours. Check that is the one the electricity company think is yours.

PeterGr

Hot water and heating would be most likely culprits.  Then a meter reading error.  Really need to have access to meter and check usage with everything off, and with heaters on (for a short time)    Good luck.

coffeehound

If the photos are clear enough, you might be able to verify the serial number against your account ot bill paperwork

MWT

coffeehound said:

If the photos are clear enough, you might be able to verify the serial number against your account ot bill paperwork

As mentioned above, even if it does match, do not assume it is the right meter, always check with a load test.

IYKYK

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. 

Yes, it's a little frustrating having to rely on one of the facilities team to enter the locked room. Alas, we cannot have direct unattended access. 

I believe the apartment was supplied by SSE - but I changed supplier on the "move-in" date and provided them with the initial reading.

I'm 100% sure the photos of the meter (and thus readings) belong to my meter. The photos are high-resolution and have timestamps and EXIF data. And the initial one was taken by a third-party "inventory" company. I have the serial number from the photos and it matches what the supplier holds. The MPAN also matches what Western Power hold for my apartment.

I've managed to speak with the facilities team and they've agreed to meet with me tomorrow so we can turn the power off at the consumer unit and then take readings. I actually hadn't considered the hot water. It's a "Grant MonoWave System Indirect Heat Pump Cylinder". It still seems like incredibly high usage (if that is the culprit) for something that was sold as being super eco friendly on both the environment and bills. 

MWT

IYKYK said:

I believe the apartment was supplied by SSE - but I changed supplier on the "move-in" date and provided them with the initial reading.

You can't actually do that, you have to register with the existing supplier first, and only then switch to your preferred supplier.

Failure to do that can result in a lot of problems down the line when the existing supplier tries to bill you as you didn't properly switch away from them.

I would suggest you check and make sure that your switch did actually complete correctly by verifying with your DNO the identity of your registered supplier...

PeterGr

I suggest that on arrival you run the hot taps in the kitchen and bathroom.  If you have piping hot water, then look at the controls.

IYKYK

MWT said:

IYKYK said:

I believe the apartment was supplied by SSE - but I changed supplier on the "move-in" date and provided them with the initial reading.

You can't actually do that, you have to register with the existing supplier first, and only then switch to your preferred supplier.

Failure to do that can result in a lot of problems down the line when the existing supplier tries to bill you as you didn't properly switch away from them.

I would suggest you check and make sure that your switch did actually complete correctly by verifying with your DNO the identity of your registered supplier...

Hi MWT,

DNO is Western Power. I've checked on their website checker - the MPAN my energy supplier show on the bill matches what they have for the address and the supplier name matches my actual supplier.

Sorry, I wasn't aware of the full process. That's on me for not contacting SSE and checking. I was contacted in advance by "Tenant Shop" (who supposedly assist with all these matters) and when I explained to them my intentions, they stated it would be fine. I think it might have worked out okay - thankfully. In fact, on checking a couple of letters from SSE addressed to the management company at my address, they've issued them a final bill which coincides with the date of my switch and their final reading is also the same as my start? There's also a "Sorry you're leaving. We will cease to supply from XYZ." I haven't made any contact with them or given them any readings info etc.

MWT

IYKYK said:

Sorry, I wasn't aware of the full process. That's on me for not contacting SSE and checking. I was contacted in advance by "Tenant Shop" (who supposedly assist with all these matters) and when I explained to them my intentions, they stated it would be fine

This is one of those rare occasions where using a service like 'Tenant Shop' has saved you from a problem

They seem to have handled the switch for you and as long as someone has paid that 'final bill' you should be in the clear.

Where have you been switch to though? ... and what tariff are you on?

Do make sure that you have not inadvertently given Tenant Shop the right to switch you in the future as their interests are not aligned with yours and it could prove expensive, if it has not already done so...