Is this electricity bill too high

Gina_Knott

We are both in our 70s live together in a 3 bed semi detached house band D. Husband retired, i work from home 3 day week. Gasconsists of central heating/hot water. The elelectric consists of  electric fire, oven lights and shower. The electric is on a smart meter. British gas have sent us a letter asking us to pay £629 per month for our electricity bill alone, (gas is £18 per month) this works out at £7,548 per year and seems way too much Surely this cannot be right. Should I ask them to look at the smart meter for any faults?
 

QrizB

Thanks for visiting the forum.

Gina_Knott said:

British gas have sent us a letter asking us to pay £629 per month for our electricity bill alone, (gas is £18 per month) this works out at £7,548 per year and seems way too much Surely this cannot be right.

Do you know how much gas and electricity you use in a year?

Do you have a recent meter reading (or can you take one today), and a reading from this time last year?

pochase

Gas looks to low while electricity is ridiculous high.

Are the readings on your bill estimated or is BG using reads from your smart meter? What does it say behind the meter readings (E,S,R)?

What is your estimated electricity use? Do you have the readings fro gas and electricity from 12 months ago and today (not estimated!)?

For the £629 you would need to use over 70KWh per day.

Are you using the electric fire as main heating source, that is probably the most expensive form of heating.

TheMilkmansDad

I'd check you bills to see if they are accurate to start with, the Smart meter may actually be a "dumb" meter and not communicating with BG.

What tariff are you on and are you currently in debit or credit based on your last bill/statement?

Do yo know your annual usage?

Robin9

Gina_Knott said:

We are both in our 70s live together in a 3 bed semi detached house band D. Husband retired, i work from home 3 day week. Gasconsists of central heating/hot water. The elelectric consists of  electric fire, oven lights and shower. The electric is on a smart meter. British gas have sent us a letter asking us to pay £629 per month for our electricity bill alone, (gas is £18 per month) this works out at £7,548 per year and seems way too much Surely this cannot be right. Should I ask them to look at the smart meter for any faults?
 

Please have a look at your last bills -  are you in credit or debit ?

The fact that you specifically refer to an electric fire is worrying -  that is a vey expensive way to heat a room - your gas central heating would be much, much cheaper.  Electric showers also can  be expensive -  cut them down to 10 mins or less.

Do you also have an immersion heater ? If yes switch it off and use the gas boiler.

Have a look at the Smart Meter itself (in the garage or meter box) - and note the serial number, check against the bill in case the records are not up to date.