What to do about lower bills

JohnW1ck

Hello everyone,

My wife and I are currently receiving electricity bills that are much lower than our friend's and relatives.

 We have moved into our home in the last six months. I have a budget for bills and all the money not being spent each month stays in that account incase of emergency.

We are careful with how much energy we use but this is my first home and I am unsure of the what the normal bills would be.

My questions is:

Should I let the energy company know about this? Or simply keep the budget that isn't spent in that account to cover any changes in my bills in the future?

Should I possibly be expecting a large bill down the line?

Any help and advise would be greatly appreciated.

J.W1ck

Raxiel

Are you able to determine if the bills you're getting are accurate?

Do you provide regular meter readings (or have a working smart meter)?

Do the usage figures on the bill match what you've been submitting (if you have)? Do they say 'actual' 'smart' or 'estimate'?

Every home is different, so it's plausible your bills are a lot lower, especially if you're more tolerant of lower temperatures.

Comparethemarket.com has an energy section that lets you look up your address and lists your projected consumption and costs. It also lets you enter your neighbours address so you can compare similar builds (its not intended to be used that way, but there are absolutely no checks). It's not completely accurate, but it's still a pretty good guide.

EssexHebridean

What was the electricity meter reading on moving in, and what is it now?  And - as above - do those readings match what is showing on the bills?

Beware the compare the market comparison thing by the way - we had a thread running here recently that established that for every person who got a fairly accurate result from it, there was at least one more for whom it was wildly inaccurate! 

victor2

As @Raxiel says, are your bills accurate?
Is your account in credit or debit?

If you have really paid for what you have used, then sit back and enjoy your money saving efforts. 
Are you covered for the ceasing of the government £66/£67 monthly credit everyone was getting?
The summer is supposedly coming, so usage should drop, particularly if you have electric heating.
BTW, welcome to the forum!

dunstonh

My wife and I are currently receiving electricity bills that are much lower than our friend's and relatives.

a)  are your friends and relatives referring to their kWh or their £ payments?
b) are your friends and relatives providing accurate readings or relying on estimates?
c) are your friends and relatives averaging what they pay their supplier over the year or do they pay as they use?  (i.e. do they pay each month for the energy they have used that month)

Should I let the energy company know about this? Or simply keep the budget that isn't spent in that account to cover any changes in my bills in the future?

You are liable to pay for the kWh you use.    Does your payment reflect the kWh you are using?

Should I possibly be expecting a large bill down the line?

Easy to tell.   How much kWh have you used and how much have you paid for.  Those are two different things and you would be liable for the difference if you haven't paid enough.

You need to understand your use.   So, look at your Actual meter reads (not estimates) over the period and multiply that the unit price.  Compare that figure to what you have paid.

MultiFuelBurner

Ah Mr Wick, could it be your house was blown up in the first film and since then you appear to not be at home much dodging assassins?

In all seriousness as others have said.

Initial readings from moving in and date followed by readings today.