Extortionate electricity bill - advice needed

johningoe

Hello

We moved into our rented accommodation 4 months ago and received our first electricity bill yesterday for the period 24 August til 4 January. The bill amout is £864 for the period. I have checked the meters and the reading on the bill is correct as is the previous reading, however I simply cannot believe that we have used this much electricity. Our flat is two bedroom with electric heaters and immersion tank. The tank is on a timer and at the most 2 heaters are on for approximately 10 hours a day but this is not everyday. We both work full time so the flat is empty for 10-12 hours a day and we estimate we've been away from the flat for approximately 3-4 weeks altogether. Having spoke to the landlord he would expect the bill to be around £65 a month. I've spoke to E.on who were less than helpful, and advised that it would cost a further £90 to get the meter checked for faults. Just wondered if anyone had any advice about what to do next.

Cheers

John

whatatwit

I would start taking readings in the morning at a set time and again in the evening.
That way, you would be able to see how many units you are using whilst you are out, and in.
Is your immersion tank well insulated and is the timer working?
What other electric appliances do you use?
Also what else is plugged in....phones, computers, playstations etc?

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

I assume you are not on Economy 7?(i.e. your heaters are not night storage heaters)

With 2 heaters on 10 hours a day you can use huge amounts of electricity.

It depends on the wattage of the heaters but to use £864 in 5 months, whilst obviously very high, is certainly feasible. Something like £40 a week.

Meters very rarely go wrong - and wouldn't the previous tenants have noticed?

The only other thing I suggest you check(in addition to the above post) is that another flat(s) is not connected through your meter; it is not unknown for this to happen on conversions; either by accident or design!!

Easy to check - switch off everything and check your meter.

Farway

What type are your heaters, and what are the ratings, 2Kw or maybe 3Kw even?

If 3Kw that is 60Kw hours per day at 10 hours on, at my unit price of approx 10p per Kwh that is 6 pounds per day, 28 days per month, times 5 months is 840 pounds

Plus immersion heater, plus VAT

That seems about right fro your bill

BoilerBoy

Before we were courting my other half ran up a huge electricity bill where she was living at the time. After quite a protracted argument with Powergen, it was ultimately attributed to the storage heaters and immersion heater being on for long periods.

Immersion heaters are evil - they sap energy. Only use them when you really need the hot water.

vicki_b

we got our electricity bill from the end of august until 29th december and it was £155.00 and we live in a three bedroomed house

DGJsaver

vicki_b wrote: »

we got our electricity bill from the end of august until 29th december and it was £155.00 and we live in a three bedroomed house

Your kids must be cold...

Farway

DGJsaver wrote: »

Your kids must be cold...

Hardly a constructive or helpful comment, and for all you know they could have no kids or have gas heating

vicki_b

nope my kids are fine thanks..we are just very careful with what we use...for the same period our gas was 140.00

samtheman1k

Why do you have the heaters on for 10 hours a day if you are out for 12hours of the day? Do you leave them on all night?

samtheman1k

vicki_b wrote: »

nope my kids are fine thanks..we are just very careful with what we use...for the same period our gas was 140.00

So that's a irrelevant comparison then, as you heat your house by gas whereas the OP heats theirs by electricity...