Excessive energy bill price - help??

Gerry1

drummergirl95 said:

Our tariff (which is what we were put on as the rest of our complex uses) is Ecotricity Green Electricity Variable. It says our price per unit since the price change is 34.03p

You've been well and truly ripped off, probably by someone getting a kickback at your expense.  Worst of all, you're not even protected by the price cap.

https://www.energylivenews.com/2019/08/01/ofgem-confirms-permanent-energy-price-cap-exemptions-for-three-green-suppliers/

Having panel heaters at day rate and an absurdly high tariff, no wonder the bills are going through the roof.  It just couldn't be worse.

drummergirl95

QrizB said:

drummergirl95 said:

Our tariff (which is what we were put on as the rest of our complex uses) is Ecotricity Green Electricity Variable. It says our price per unit since the price change is 34.03p.

Ah. Ecotricity are one of the UK's greenest suppliers but they are also one of the most expensive. Because of their deep-green qualities they are exempt from the Ofgem cap on variable tariffs, which means they are currently ~50% more expensive than most other suppliers.

Unless you really *really* value the green credentials you would be better off financially by switching somewhere else, if you can find anyone that will take you.

I did think that was part of the problem unfortunately. But That still doesn’t really answer the fact we have used 750 kwh in one month, surely? Everyone we’ve spoken to about it, even Ecotricity themselves, said it’s unusually high for a 1 bedroom apartment. 

To answer a previous question, we are not on Economy 7.

and yes our meter is unfortunately in a cupboard with other meters in our building. We have had the maintenance take a photo with it and compared the serial number with our bill and they do match. 

Gerry1

drummergirl95 said:

QrizB said:

drummergirl95 said:

Our tariff (which is what we were put on as the rest of our complex uses) is Ecotricity Green Electricity Variable. It says our price per unit since the price change is 34.03p.

Ah. Ecotricity are one of the UK's greenest suppliers but they are also one of the most expensive. Because of their deep-green qualities they are exempt from the Ofgem cap on variable tariffs, which means they are currently ~50% more expensive than most other suppliers.

Unless you really *really* value the green credentials you would be better off financially by switching somewhere else, if you can find anyone that will take you.

and yes our meter is unfortunately in a cupboard with other meters in our building. We have had the maintenance take a photo with it and compared the serial number with our bill and they do match.

Insist on reading it yourself and doing the sanity test.  The serial number being on the bill doesn't mean it's your meter, for all you know it could be for a much bigger flat or be supplying the heating and lighting for all the communal areas and powering the lift.

[Deleted User]

drummergirl95 said:

and yes our meter is unfortunately in a cupboard with other meters in our building. We have had the maintenance take a photo with it and compared the serial number with our bill and they do match. 

Hi,

but as Gerry1, suggested in an earlier post, have you verified that it is your flat meter?

Gerry1

The fact that you and the other users have been set up with one of the most expensive tariffs in the country should set alarm bells ringing.  You need to go through everything with a fine tooth comb to make sure you're not being well and truly ripped off.

QrizB

drummergirl95 said:

QrizB said:

drummergirl95 said:

Our tariff (which is what we were put on as the rest of our complex uses) is Ecotricity Green Electricity Variable. It says our price per unit since the price change is 34.03p.

Ah. Ecotricity are one of the UK's greenest suppliers but they are also one of the most expensive. Because of their deep-green qualities they are exempt from the Ofgem cap on variable tariffs, which means they are currently ~50% more expensive than most other suppliers.

Unless you really *really* value the green credentials you would be better off financially by switching somewhere else, if you can find anyone that will take you.

I did think that was part of the problem unfortunately. But That still doesn’t really answer the fact we have used 750 kwh in one month, surely? Everyone we’ve spoken to about it, even Ecotricity themselves, said it’s unusually high for a 1 bedroom apartment. 

To answer a previous question, we are not on Economy 7.

Yes, at least for now you're stuck with Ecotricity (but do look at switching if you can, you might be able to get onto a capped tariff at 21p/kWh or thereabouts).

However that does leave the question of where does all your electricity go. Can you post a photo of your hot water tank, and of the timer, and of your fuse board / consumer unit?

drummergirl95

Gerry1 said:

The fact that you and the other users have been set up with one of the most expensive tariffs in the country should set alarm bells ringing.  You need to go through everything with a fine tooth comb to make sure you're not being well and truly ripped off.

We’ve had no other issues living here and all been fine. I’m not sure what else to do other than tomorrow do what others have said and insist on testing our meter and making sure it is definitely ours. 

That is really disheartening to hear. We’ll have to see if we can switch but I doubt anyone will take us.

QrizB

Gerry1 said:

drummergirl95 said:

Our tariff (which is what we were put on as the rest of our complex uses) is Ecotricity Green Electricity Variable. It says our price per unit since the price change is 34.03p

You've been well and truly ripped off, probably by someone getting a kickback at your expense.

I'm going to disagree with Gerry1 here; Ecotricity is a perfectly respectable supplier and if you want the greenest possible electricity they're one of the top options. However they are expensive and they should be an active choice on your part, not just something you go along with because it's easiest.

drummergirl95

Here are the photos of our boiler/immersion heater, fuse board, timer unit and also our ventilation unit.

QrizB

The time switch is a Timeguard TRTD7N. Details and downloadable instructions here:
https://www.timeguard.com/products/climate/programastat-plus/economy-7-digital-timeswitch-with-boost-control