105 year-old being charged £295pm from June by Eon - please help.

Hoopie

Yes this is all true, last year she was paying £42pm! She lives alone in a 2 bed flat with storage heaters, of which only 2 are ever on. She did use an electric radiator in the winter when it was really cold on occasions. She has electric oven and hob, but now are not used due to a new microwave. No bath, only a shower. She sits clothed with her dressing gown on all day, even now. 

I have contacted them on her behalf (I have authority) and done all the right things - sent in meter readings, asked for it to be reviewed, yet they come back with the same figure. They are clearly not going to suggest a reduction, or if they do it'll be minimal.

Unlike some, she can afford to pay a reasonable bill, but I simply don't understand why it is so high? I live in a semi-det house with 4 people and pay less than half of her new bill.

Should I continue fighting this, or look for a new supplier? I can't make out if MSE is suggesting switching suppliers at the moment? I know it wasn't a few months ago. 

I am not sure what to do next? Any suggestions.

Sea_Shell

How many KWHs are they using annually, on average?

Current meter reading, less reading from this time last year.

What annual usage is showing on their last bill?

TheMilkmansDad

Changing suppliers wouldn't solve the problem as they would probably be similar tariff charges (if not more!).

You need to so if what she is being billed is correct - have you done your own figures? How much has she used and what tariff is she on? Is she in debit or credit?

Robin9

Sea_Shell said:

How many KWHs are they using annually, on average?

Current meter reading, less reading from this time last year.

What annual usage is showing on their last bill?

@Hoopie  Also to add please the extent of her debt.  £42 in an all electric flat was never going to be enough  -   even last year £80-90 would have been more realistic

Hoopie

Thank you. I'm afraid I haven't looked at the precise figures as I haven't found all her statements 
I have a statement from Nov 21, it says 'Estimated use  in last 12 months
Day 1208kwh, Night 5140kwh, Total 6348'
Does that help, although I know it's rather out of date now?

Brie

And was the account in debit?  That will be a crucial thing.  

My experience recently is that energy companies want the DD to be high enough to keep you 2 months ahead plus anticipate the rise expected in the autumn.  The only way to get around this I believe is to switch to paying exactly what is used monthly which will require very regular readings to be submitted.

Have you checked that the individual is registered with them as vulnerable??  Not that it will necessarily help with the bills but may be good should you need to complain about how they are dealing with the account in general.

Hoopie

Thanks for you replies. I do not think the account was in debit previously, as she always complained that they were keeping her money! But I will try and check further. I have asked Eon for her annual usage in kwh to date, and if I can have access to her online account (not that one exists). 
She is on the Eon Energy Plan Assist
I agree about the £40pm probably being too low, but they never changed it until last year. 
Not sure about the registration as vulnerable, I'll check. 
I'm only a neighbour, she has no family who take any interest in all this.

pochase

I assume you mean with £295 from June that this will be her new direct debit?

Using the estimates I get to £117 for a direct debit per month going forward. This does not include the October increase and is based on the rates for the Eastern region.

What is the level of debt on the November statement you quoted from? Also did you/she submit regular meter readings?

I assume that either there is a high level of debt (very likely if only £40 were paid) and /or the estimate/actual reading has led to a higher usage forecast.

For example using a normal radiator with day rates is one of the worst things you can do.

Hoopie

Thank you. She is currently paying £137pm as from March. It goes up to £293.45 from June 1st.
I have not seen any evidence of debt anywhere, eg red letters, and I've been reading her post for about a year now.
The Nov bill shows £392 paid (6 x £42 plus £3.52 credit from last bill, plus warm homes discount of £133), and elec charges of £555 (estimated readings). With a new balance of £187.50
Almost all her meter readings are estimated.
She has not provided readings as she is 80% blind. 
I think I'll go and find some more recent statements

pochase

On each statement you should find information if she is in credit or debt. There will be no letters chasing her under normal circumstances.

First thing you should do is read the meter, both day and night rates and submit the reading.

If a customer never submits a reading a supplier might keep increasing the estimates as the customer must find the estimate to their advantage, so it must be to low...

cannugec5

My elderly neighbourhood lives alone in an all electric house, using storage heaters. He likes his house to be very warm. 

I have been reading his meter monthly and submitting it for him, for some time now.

His monthly direct debit is £280. 

Therefore I don’t see £295 as unreasonable in the current climate, especially if there is a residual debt from a lack of meter readings.