Oct price cap increase likely to push energy bill to over £10k... for a family of 4...

MariaAH

I feel sick. I have just submitted our latest meter readings, and our estimated annual cost is £5,885...if the price cap is 82% that could put our annual bill at over £10k. How can this be?! We are a family of 4 (mum, dad and 2 adult children) in a 4-bed property. Our monthly energy direct debit is £545 and after submitting the reading yesterday, it says that is not enough. We use energy efficient light bulbs, wash at 30 degrees, only use tumble dryer when necessary etc. We need to significantly reduce our energy usage but don't know where to start. We are with British Gas since our previous supplier, People's Energy, collapsed and have been asking for a Smart Meter since then, but they initially said we were not suitable (even though we had one with People's Energy) and now say there are supply chain issues. We switched Electric Vehicles in October, but cannot switch to British Gas's EV tariff without a Smart Meter. What we really need is professional help to assess our energy usage and make recommendations - and this is a service we are happy to pay for if you can please make some recommendations for a company that can provide this service?

Mstty

Most cost is in the heating of a home and it's hot water and keeping that heat in the home and cylinder.

I wouldn't throw money at the situation by getting someone to tell you what many will tell you here for free.

Mstty

Firstly what is your kWh usage for the last year.  Gas and Electricity I presume. We need actual figures not estimates👍

Brie

Is the estimate reasonable?  Or is it based on some fairy tale BG is selling?

My energy company just tried to raise our DD and quoted an annual estimate that was based on just the use we have in Jan/Feb.  So as if we have the heating on full blast all summer long.  I've reworked the estimate and explained to them how they got it wrong.  You may be able to do something similar if you look back at your bills from the last year.  

MariaAH

We have a combi boiler which we understand in more efficient?
Here are usage figures since moving to British Gas in Oct 
Gas: 
Electricity:

GingerTim

Based on your actual readings, I make that 18,540 kwh of gas, and 8,619 kwh of electricity in just over seven months.

That's an enormous amount of electricity, especially for a GCH home - do you have fish tanks, pond pumps, or any other high electricity usage items about? Electric showers perhaps?

The gas use is also very high for spring and summer months.

Ultrasonic

MariaAH said:

We switched Electric Vehicles in October, but cannot switch to British Gas's EV tariff without a Smart Meter. 

Are you going to get a smart meter fitted? If you haven't already it may be worth checking out what Octopus could offer you too, since they're usually recommended as the cheapest option if you have an EV.

How much do you use you EV? If you're driving a lot then bear in mind the relevant cost for you to compare with other households would be their home energy plus petrol/diesel costs.

Do you have electric showers or use electricity for any heating?

xzibit

Between 22/10/21 and 30/12/21 you almost used as much gas as we do in a year and you used quite a lot more electricity than we do in a year.

We live in a detached 4 bedroom house, 2+1. 

You need to address your usage.

Mstty

GingerTim said:

Based on your actual readings, I make that 18,540 kwh of gas, and 8,619 kwh of electricity in just over seven months.

That's an enormous amount of electricity, especially for a GCH home - do you have fish tanks, pond pumps, or any other high electricity usage items about? Electric showers perhaps?

The gas use is also very high for spring and summer months.

If you read the OP stated switched EV's

So factor that in as well but good general Electricity use questions.

Mstty

xzibit said:

Between 22/10/21 and 30/12/21 you almost used as much gas as we do in a year and you used quite a lot more electricity than we do in a year.

We live in a detached 4 bedroom house, 2+1. 

You need to address your usage.

Not all 4 bedroom homes are the same or have the same use.

Yes they may well have to address their usage but it's good to get the answers to some basics rather than just say you use more than us👍

QrizB

GingerTim said:

Based on your actual readings, I make that 18,540 kwh of gas, and 8,619 kwh of electricity in just over seven months.

That's an enormous amount of electricity, especially for a GCH home - do you have fish tanks, pond pumps, or any other high electricity usage items about? Electric showers perhaps?

The gas use is also very high for spring and summer months.

I was going to say exactly this. You're using about 3x as much gas as we do (four people, two adults and two teens in a 3-bed semi) and also 3-4x the "average" amount of electricity. Some (possibly all) of the extra electricity will be due to your EVs but they don't explain your huge gas bill.

How much electricity do your electric vehicle(s) use? 2000kWh/yr/vehicle?