Electric prices

Scot_39

Until the OP comes back with info like what is heating HW - its difficult to say if there is a problem like some ghost load  or not.

But if the OPs mother is going as far as using candles to avoid turning a light on - it seems likely that shes being pretty strict with using any other devices - so normal consumption is likely not her norm.

If gas does all the hot water - then for instance I can be sub 3kWh a day if dont shower at home and dont have my HW tank on that day (tried every 2nd or 3rd day even at peak pricing - but went back to just on 3x per day as savings were minimal and any losses in winter - just heat the linen cupboard anyway).

The energy crisis media coverage scared many older people - making them scared to use power even for essentials - and fear like that can last.  Not saying thats the case here.

So even if a quick check doesn't identify anything - it might just reassure her - that there isn't a problem with her home / her meter / her billing - she can - if can afford of course - use a bit more safely - like on lights.

And just maybe give her the confidence as winter approaching quickly in some parts - to keep the house lit as needed - and to maybe make herself regular hot drinks from an electric kettle or hot snacks like a bowl of soup - if an electric hob - on top of her gas heating to keep her warm inside and out as it were - 24/7.

Also it might be worth checking whether she is due any financial aid from suppliers or other sources like council hardship type funds if struggling even with typical use.

Spoonie_Turtle

Scot_39 said:

Until the OP comes back with info like what is heating HW - its difficult to say if there is a problem like some ghost load  or not.

But if the OPs mother is going as far as using candles to avoid turning a light on - it seems likely that shes being pretty strict with using any other devices - so normal consumption is likely not her norm.

…

The energy crisis media coverage scared many older people - making them scared to use power even for essentials - and fear like that can last.  Not saying thats the case here.

Trouble is people don't know what they don't know, so there is a possibility she could be thinking 'oh it's too expensive to have the heating on, I'll just use this one electric heater where I'm sitting' and actually costing more because people aren't necessarily aware of electricity being so much more expensive than gas.

Too many unknowns for working out what the situation is at the moment.

Vitor

OP's best bet is to do a quick meter check: turn everything off at the fuseboard/consumer unit, the electric meter should stop. Then switch circuits back on one by one; if the meter suddenly spins faster, look for the device that is drawing power.

NB £55/month is about £660/year. That’s not wild for a single-person household in a small place, even with “low usage.” Standing charges (the daily fixed cost just for having a supply) account for a surprising amount of that so we can be 'green'.

Worth checking that entitlements are being claimed: Warm Home Discount, Pension Credits, Cold Weather Payments etc. and elderly person is on Priority Services Register

Esty76

Thanks all I don't know how to respond to individuals, can't see a respond button on each but, in short, she had E7 and all heating removed, as well as power box cut off in cuoboard removed. Replaced with gas central heating radiators, meter was left as 2 rate but even though 2 reading's charged as single rate. I then had this changed to one reading after smart installed. In kitchen she still has a time socket thing on wall. Council saud it would ruin tiles etc if removed but all ekectruc was disconnected as mains socket for e7 all removed so its just an empty box basically. But I've checked her fridge, small fridge freezer quite new, a rated. One led TV 42 inch. One sky q box, a broadband router, her phone charger,her shower electric but she doesn't use fan as she worries about electric that's all. Tv, maybe 3 hours total or weekends 6 hours. Lights, she puts on for toilet then turns off then sits with battery lights or candles. They've said she can pay fir test 125 or ask charities to help pay bills. Why would we ask a charity to pay a bill that might be wrong? 

Spoonie_Turtle

The electric shower will be costing much more than any fan.  That's not to say she shouldn't use it, just that her bill could well be right and she's worrying about the things that don't use much electricity.

Again, lights unless CFL or museum stock of incandescent won't cost much - probably less than battery and definitely less than candles.

Does she use any supplemental heating (if perhaps the cost of living crisis headlines a few years ago made her worry about the cost of gas, for instance)?

Robin9

Thank you for coming back with the heating info.

Going back to her original concerns about £55 per month.  From what you have said that's sounds right. Don't waste money of meter checks.

She will get the £300 WFP this Autumn - so no need to sit in the cold or the dark.

Does she qualify for WHM discount £150 and for Cold Weather payments ?

molerat

You have still not mentioned actual kWh use.  She is likely looking back to "the good old days" when electricity was less than half the price it is now and the standing charge was one quarter.  As others have said £55 per month is pretty reasonable especially with the standing charge being at least 25% of that.  Back pre crisis my electric was £32 pm, that same use at the current cap is £78 pm and £81 at the October cap but could be £70 on a fixed tariff.  And also as others have said candles are dangerous and likely costing more than an LED bulb giving out more light.

Esty76

Thanks all electric shower has this suckered drain thing so only let's water out of drain wirh this sucker ruing makes a right racket! 
But can only shower when I'm there as even with rails her dizziness causes her to fall over. So say max 4 times a week 10 mins, then microwave, max 5 muns a week. 30 seconds she does cis can't have hot food on her mouth. Lights no more than 10 mins a day to light up when she walks in then has battery remote lights, then has broadband box, sky. One tv on no more than 2 hours, phone on charge every 2 3 days for half hour. Dryer only used in bad winter uses a dryer frame. 
Still don't see how 55 a month? I'm gonna get time not working away to do a test cos I think old e7 wiring may have been left maybe connected? Dunno what smart in home will show this, but they left time switch in kitchen saying it would ruin tiles to remove, could it be this? Dunno