Monthly bill now at approx £500!!

JSCM

Please can anyone help.
Our most recent bill for electricity is £344 with our gas being £115. 

Part of our problem is that my parents live in a converted large garage at the bottom of our garden - my father has dementia and Alzheimer’s. They run their electric from our house so technically we are running two houses so two cookers, two showers, two washers etc. Only difference being we have gas heating they have air con unit and/ or oil filled radiators. Their building is registered as a different address for council tax purposes but they’re now exempt from that due to my fathers dementia/ Alzheimer’s. Other than us trying to reduce our costs ourselves by being more sensible can we access any benefits? We have been overdrawn last 2 months because of energy bills and at this rate we’ll have no savings left! Please help. 

[Deleted User]

Rather than get a variety of helpful but often conflicting advice, I would respectfully suggest that a visit to Citizens Advice may be in order. They can advise on energy management plus they have advisors that can help with benefits advice.

gazzabiscuit

Is the converted garage well insulated? Most efficient way to cut energy would be to use less by masking sure it is insulated as much as possible. With prices going to way they are this is going to be more importnat than ever over the years ahead.

JSCM

It’s well insulated which is why they have no conventional heating. Problem is they relocated from Spain and rather than wrapping up like the rest of us they will put their air con on - a big mistake putting that in - and oil filled radiator. Also their attitude is at their age they shouldn’t be penny pinching. They are financially in a very different position to us though. They pay a £100 a month towards energy costs. 

Robin9

Do your parents contribute to the costs in any way ?

Do they get the Winter Fuel Allowance ?

Have you POA for them?

JSCM

POA? Yes to winter fuel allowance but they don’t give it to us. Just the £100 a month contribution. 

danrv

The bill adds up to £459. Not too bad if paying bill every quarter considering it’s for two dwellings, one electric only.
Are you sure it’s £500 a month?

JSCM

POA - sorry power of attorney. My mother has for my father but the legal documents for me  taking over for both are in place when my mother relinquishes hers. 

JSCM

Charged for 4th Dec to 15th January for electricity £344. 

JSCM

Sorry £335 for those dates.

tim_p

JSCM said:

Charged for 4th Dec to 15th January for electricity £344. 

Is that figure based on actual meter readings?