Smart meter electric issue

Esty76

Hi, so im 77 yrs old and living one bedroom bungalow. Sit in dark most of time or use battery candles. Been through 2 suppliers who could not help why my bill so high. My daughter did all st home tests. I changed yo new supplier who appeared to be better. However cost is now still high. 50 a month elec only. My gas is 15 a month. I only use one tv, sky box broadband and charge my phone. Light in one room. I go to bed 6.30pm each day. Obvious appliances fridge washer etc used rarely.

Ive accepted the cost until we looked at Bill and my smart readings are nothing like mine on meter. Checked serial number and meter no. Etc all correct but wherever they getting readings from from smart are not mine. Checked neighbour not theirs either. Could this be the issue with why they think I'm using 50 a month?

Ive asked them but they just want to add on readings I've got to make bill bigger. My account clearly us getting readings though that are not mine. They said if I've done all tests they'll charge 120 to come out. I have no extra money only minimum pension but I know something here is not right?

luci

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6672543/smart-meter-electric-issue

High energy bills are a worry, but your bills are very low if you are only paying £50 for electric and £15 for gas, even in a one bed bungalow.

Ive accepted the cost until we looked at Bill and my smart readings are nothing like mine on meter

Can you explain what you mean?

Do you have a smart meter that automatically sends your readings to your supplier?

Are the readings on your bills the same as the readings on your meter?

Ayr_Rage

Are you reading the correct meter register or the In Home Display?

The average Standing Charge for electricity if 57p/day on a SV tariff, £17.33/month, have you taken that into account?.

Your £50/month is reasonable for TV, fridge, router, washing machine, lighting and power for the gas boiler.

TroubledTarts

Your gas standing charge just to have gas connected is approx £106 a year so out of the £15 a month youa re only using £74 of gas for the year. That is basically your pilot light.

For the electricity the average standing charge just to have electricity to your door is £208 so out of the £50 a month (£600 for the year) you are using roughly £392 worth of electricity each year which is very low.

I would suggest with the facts you have given this is all correct.

However it's always worth checking the actual physical meter for the readings (not the LCD display you have), even a smart one and comparing it to your bills.

teaselMay

Why do you not think the readings are yours? The pattern of them?

My use is similar (single, me and dogs at home, biggest use is the washing machine) and bill £34-40 a month. It would only take more use of the oven or a drier to push it easily beyond £50

Ed to add if the reason you sit in the dark and use candles is the cost of electricity, modern light bulbs are extremely low power and therefore cost very little to run

QrizB

Sit in dark most of time or use battery candles.

Battery candles are likely to cost more to run than a mains-powered light. You're denying yourself the cheapest source of lighting.

I've accepted the cost until we looked at Bill and my smart readings are nothing like mine on meter.

Can you explain exactly what you mean by this? If the readings on your bill don't match the readings on your meter, can you share some examples?

What was the meter reading(s) on your latest bill, and what does your meter read today?

QrizB

Addition:

You asked a similar question last year, only it was on behalf of your mother - she lived in a bungalow, you had a three-bedroom semi. Is this another question on behalf of your mum?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6626432/electric-prices

Robin9

Can you look at your bill please and the section which shows the meter readings - their will be a letter following the readings - is is A C E or S or our read/your read ?

Are you able to read the meter itself ?

Are you using a fan heater or a panel heater to keep warm ? As you have gas you should be using that instead - it's much cheaper that the electric.

QrizB

In the last thread it ended with a statement that it was something to do with mum's old E7 system.

Does the property still have Economy 7, or have you switched to a single-rate tariff? Are you reading both registers on the meter? Is the "problem" that you're reading the meter total while your supplier is reading one or both of the individual registers?

A photo of the meter might help.

Robin9

@Esty76 To put that £50 in perspective - after the standing charge you are getting all your lighting, kettles, TV, fridge etc for £1 a day. I think that's good value.

Are you getting the Warm Homes Discount of £150 ? I think you need to be on some benefit like Pension Credit to apply.

FreeBear

Single and on my own (unless you include the cat). LED lights throughout. I tend to stay up late and get up late. Electricity bill is usually just under £50* per month (about 150kWh).
Peak gas was January and the bill came in just shy of £50*. In the summer months, it will drop to around £10* as I need hot water for the bath (washing up, I'll boil the kettle). Average works out at ~£24* per month. Yes, there is scope to cut heating down, but I'm starting to feel the cold, and I have no desire to go to the extremes of HertsLad.

*) Includes standing charge.