electric bill confusion??

xirokx

Hi,
We moved into a new 1 bed flat in july 07 and switched to direct debit payments in Oct 07 as the previous occupant had a pre payment meter.

From 10th Oct 07 - 7th Dec 07 we used 318 units for our 1 bed flat @ 8.82p per unit. So for 59 days we used 318 units

We just received our 8th Dec 07 - 11th March 08 bill and it claims we used a whopping 1644units @ 8.82p per unit for 95 days.

On comparing both bills we cannot see how we could have used the additional units. Like 900 units in 36 days. It just doesnt make sense. We have not changed anything.

Our heating is gas as we have a boiler for which we pay a seperate charge for.

The only electrical appliances we have are the usual i.e. pc (its not on 24/7), fridge, washing machine, tv...(we have economy 7 heating, so we do our washing during 11pm and 7am - always)

We checked out meter readings and believe they are correct. Although having said that, since 11march 08 our meter is telling us we have used 200units when we went abroad from 15th March 08 - 22nd March 08, so how could we have used 200units in 12 days when nothing electrical is being used. Especially as from Oct 07 - Dec 07 (59 days) we used a total of 318units..

We cannot help thinking there has been a major error along the lines..Has anyone ever experienced this? If yes, how was it resolved?

All thoughts and advise would be most appreciated..

Cheers

Cardew

Was either meter reading on the 10 Oct to 7 Dec an estimated reading?

Ditto 8 Dec to 11 Mar Bill?

This is the normal reason for apparent increased consumption.

You have made the assumption that your early bill was 'normal' consumption and that the later bill should be based on that level of consumption.

Bearing in mind that the average consumption is 3,300kWh(units) per year, you have used 1,962 in 5 winter months. Whilst that is above average it isn't 'whopping' consumption.

xirokx

im not 100% sure how would I find out if it based on a guesstimate?

on the oct - dec bill the "reading this time = 38715 (E)"

and on the dec - march 08 bill "reading this time = 40359"

please advise..

thanks for your help so far

bryanb

xirokx wrote: »

Hi,


Our heating is gas as we have a boiler for which we pay a seperate charge for.
..(we have economy 7 heating, so we do our washing during 11pm and 7am -

Which is it? The Heating.

xirokx

its the electric not gas

bryanb

That's the way the money goes! The Dec - Mar quarter is the coldest of the year. The heating has to work much harder at this time of year. Check the rating (kwh) of the heaters and try to estimate how many hours they were on. Should give you a good idea of your consumption.

apcorbett

xirokx wrote: »

im not 100% sure how would I find out if it based on a guesstimate?

on the oct - dec bill the "reading this time = 38715 (E)"

and on the dec - march 08 bill "reading this time = 40359"

please advise..

thanks for your help so far

The key is the (E) at the end of the december figure - This is an estimate, and therefore looks to be very short. This looks like the key to the problem; your usage is looking reasonably normal if you forget this estimate.

Cardew

As said above, the 'E' means the reading was an Estimated reading.

So your first bill was meaningless as a way of determining your consumption over that period.

As I said above your true consumption is the 1,962kWh in 5 months, which is not particularly high.