£989 energy bill

Scot_39

This sounds like a tied freeholder appointed supplier and or that of their chosen administration firm is in place for your building.

People used to gas heating and costs often experience bill shock when suddenly find paying in recent past upto 4x per kWh at standard single rate for electric heating.

Basically Turnng a £100 bill for gas to more like £350-400 heating bill for same kWh energy use on electric. 

Which is why many rely on multirate  electric - these days typically economy 7 deals - where off peak more like 1/2 to 2/3rds say c14p vs c25p - single rate on best deals for hw and heating..  but beware tge sting of the c31p day rates too.

Your rates however may be higher still - as likely commercial and not standard domestic and so NOT covered by Ofgem cap type pricing.



Do you have and have checked entry date and or start stop readings on bill for billing period to current and past physical meter readings.
Have you checked meter serial numbers or even just current absolute readings.
If meter is in communal cabinet have you done a series of meter sanity checks - power demand vs imp light etc - to check it really is your meter ?



As

Unless the bill is for incorect meter / flat - or units used on the bill are incorrect - and its as per your or your landlords lease terms - you will have to pay it.

And on the demanded time scales.

How many kWh are you being billed for and at what rates / what is your standing charge. 

Think aadmn fees are permitted too  - are they a lot ?.  
Oops  correct Ted to 989 not 949.
£989 - standard cap 40 sc / 25 p/ kWh = 1900 kWh per month - but if rates and sc higher ( some commercial rates posted here in recent past were like daily charge c we're c150p  not domestic cap c60p ave  and rates c35p not 25 per unit etc) maybe a lot less.

If you sc and adminadded another £1 per day so £1.60 total - and you wee paying c30p SR - then 1900kWh would drop to c1500kWh.

And their will be many burning through that sort of level - easily 1000kWh plus in the coldest winter months for bills that include heating.

So it's not impossible it wouldn't actually  be correct if you run a fairly warm flat 24/7 or 18/7 if in all day in any case.

phennomena

Thanks all.  Some useful comments. I’ve fed that back to the tenant ( nurse in the nhs) and spoke to DE. She can apply for a 6 mth payment plan and we sent advice on thermostat and water heater control etc 

I must admit I’m used to a flat fee tariff personally and prefer it.  DE are planning to use introduce fixed tariffs next year too. 

Appreciate all your feedback. 

Scot_39

Good news on the 6m term.

Damp new builds - plastering etc - also can take a bit more to heat in first few months - maybe year or so too.

Hopefully lowering use where can by learning controls can avoid a repeat of problem.