Need help to reduce bill urgently

[worriedabouthealth]

We are having massive issues with our electric bill. I’m stressed and upset as have tried to reduce it to no avail

It was too high but kept creeping up so we started to make changes and tbh we weren’t using tons anyway.
We accepted a smart meter to try and help
I thought the tumble dryer was a problem so we got a double washing line and 2 airers but still the bill went up

We made sure we turned off all lights etc.
Checked how energy efficient appliances were
Got different light bulbs to be better

Still the bill went up.

In desperation we decided last October to switch as found out we were on an expensive standard tariff and not allowed to switch so we decided to change suppliers.
We have been blocked at every turn it was meant to switch in early Dec but the company kept saying they weren’t aware we wanted to switch (they were as wrote to us ‘sorry you’re thinking of leaving us’??? )

The bills kept going up and the smart meter no matter what changes we made wasn’t showing less. Then it was showing more ???
We were living in darkness it was ridiculous

FINALLY after lying what we thought was the final bill we switched this week and having been carrying on our efforts so hopefully it will help BUT

We got another final bill for an astronomical amount from old supplier. The letter stated ‘tariff change in 4 Dec’ and they’d put us in an even more expensive one ???
It also said the bill was estimated ?

I called them and they denied both saying it’s not estimated (why does it say that ?) and they haven’t changed any tariff (again why does it say that ?)

I don’t know to do I’m worried we aren’t doing enough to save energy but I’m turning everything off at night and I’m the day I’m here and it’s dark and I’m not using anything I even use a flask and make one lot of tea in the morning so not boiling kettle a lot etc

I dont see how they could change the tariff to a more expensive one as we were switching they said I was mistaken it was just a price change

I’m so angry. They won’t accept there’s anything wrong I don’t know who can help
Plus I don’t know if there’s anything else I can do to reduce the electric usage and I’d really appreciate some help
Thankyou

lying-paying

Are you all electric?

what size of house, how high are the bills and do you use electric heating?

No gas too but that bill seemed to be ok it’s the electric one there’s something wrong ??

Is the metre just yours, is there any way you could be paying for more than one property?

Ask somebody to check the metre.

Sounds like a nightmare. Companies always say 'sorry you are thinking of leaving' in hope you won't. If you have asked to switch then the new supplier will take over.

how much is it

What is your actual usage and bill amount?

Too many issues here. Right, have you checked you meter reading against your bill?
Without a reading then bill will be estimated.

Switch absolutely everything off at the mains and then check that your meter stops. If not, either something left on or a problem.
Electric heaters use a lot. What heating do you have?
Make sure everything is switched off at the mains not left on standby.

Gas central heating

4 bed mid terrace

Gas was £80 pm and electric was £230 and rising all the time with old supplier

Based on usage we got a quote for £186 a month in summer and £204 winter with new supplier
The tariff with old supplier was high anyway they they put us up to an even higher one start of Dec when we were meant to change supplier then they stalled it

The issues started with the smart meter tbh that’s when it’s been going up and up

The reading on the meter and the display unit are the same ??

Were you with British Gas? They're a bunch of fucking cowboys who'll fleece for every penny you have and then some.

Them or Scottish power?

They said on the statement it was estimated but I asked as we have a smart meter they said it’s not estimated that was a mistake apparently as was the ‘tariff change’ but they’d even put the amounts
Unit price was up by about 1.5 p and standing charge up by 6p

Yes British Gas

Out of interest it's not SSE is it? They did exactly the same to me and demanded £112 a month just for electric in a 2 bed terrace! I said I couldn't afford it and they eventually put me on a pay as you go metre, I now spend £10 a week including paying off the arrears! I have no idea how they got the figures they did but they were the most unhelpful people I've ever dealt with!

I would advise making a complaint regarding them saying one thing but post you received saying another, I had a similar problem that we are now free of thank god but they also told us things contrary to letters, this may get you a gesture of goodwill reduction on the balance, but look into if the company has a grant or can write off the debt for lower incomes, with all our other bills no way could we have found £600 from nowhere and lowest monthly amount they would let us pay in instalments was £65! Most firms have this and you fill out the forms and a budget and they decide if you can afford it or not and sometimes you make nominal payments for 3 months or so, ours was around £15 then got approved and it was written off, hope you can get it sorted

I just cannot see unless I’m unknowingly powering a small underground city I’m not aware of beneath my house that also house cannabis factories that we could be using as much as they say

We paid £253 in November
Then they wanted £186 early Dec we thought it’s because of switch and paid so we could change supplier
Yesterday a bill for £508 and a sep one for £26 it’s ridiculous and they deny it all I ask why it says tariff change they say it’s not when it’s there on the statement they sent me

That just seems wrong. Our electric bill is £30, we have a similar size house & gas heating like you.

Why won't they let you change tariff?!

I'd definitely be querying it, and switch ASAP.

Has your electric supply been tapped? Just wondering as this happened to us and someone had got in and effectively we were paying for their electric use

As a starting point, if you haven't already done this, turn everything off until you are measuring no usage. (Turning off your freezer for a few minutes won't cause any problems) to see if you can isolate the problem.
For example, We were shocked at how much electricity the halogen bulbs in the kitchen were using.

Have you tried telling the supplier you don't understand why your bills are so big and asked for some advice?

Consider making an official complaint regarding the tariff switching/estimates etc - Citizens Advice will help if you need help.

Hope you get to the bottom of this.

That seems astronomical. For comparison, we are in a 3 bed semi and pay a direct debit of £140 per month for gas and electricity combined. This is v high I think because I use a lot, don't skimp on heating etc.
I feel like there must be a mistake here with usage/their calculations.

Your bills are extortionate how big is your house?! I pay £34pm for a two bed house and a outhouse. That’s electric and gas. I’d be seriously questioning these bills and potentially making a complaint

I'd try emailing your new supplier for advice.
Use email so you have a 'paper trail'.

A smart meter wouldn't create a large bill, but it certainly sounds like something's not right especially with all the changes you've made.

There are clearly two issues here.

One is the actual usage. You should contact your supplier and ask to have a check meter installed. That will sit beside the original meter and check that it is recording accurately. I had this done a few years ago and it identified that my original meter was faulty and over reading.

If that proves your electricity meter is accurate you should turn everything off in the house and check that the meter stops. Then turn items back on one at a time to check on your smart meter how much electricity they consume. My last house had light fittings with 5 or 6 old style bulbs in each. There were 7 of them in the house and they used a lot of electricity when on. Check for things like that.

The second issue is the tariff / bill. I assume you have meter readings and can check you have only been charged for the electricity your meter says you have used ? If you are switching you will probably have a fight on your hands to get them to back down on any previous tariff changes, but hopefully you will be in control with your new company.

I use Bulb who are fantastic. If you haven’t already switched I highly recommend them. You are in control at all times, send in a meter reading once a month and get a monthly bill, and can adjust the DD yourself at any time.

I could get you a £50 switching bonus with them (I would also get an introduction fee of £50) if you ever wanted to try them in the future.

I hope you manage to sort it all out soon !!

OK, that’s absolute madness! We’re in a 4-bed detached, I work from home (so using electric etc), and we’re not hugely careful & should do better. We pay £110 combined gas & electric to Bulb and are in credit at the moment.

Take your bills to CAB or somewhere?
Ask someone to check your meter?
Dispute the bill loudly!