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

Seconding everyone saying to turn your fuse box off today and see what the meter does. It'll be much faster to do this yourself than expect British Gas or your new supplier to do it - and it'll stop you running up more massive bills if the really high usage is caused br something if you're.

Sorry if this has already been suggested, but it might be worth checking out the Money Saving Expert forums.

Yes I’m definitely going to do that when dh is home as need someone else here to help with ds whilst we turn it off and turn things back on

This sounds so wrong! We have a 4 bed detached (So no-one keeping us warm either side) and our elec varies from about 15 quid a month in summer to c£40 now In winter (we also have gas for heating, hot water and cooking) . DH works from home so is using electricity all day, and I'm not shy at all about using the tumble dryer, crap at switching lights off etc. Your meter needs checking to make sure it's not faulty!

I had absolute murder with Scottish power a few years ago with a similar issue, it didn't get resolved until I wrote to the regulator. I wish you luck!!

Just wanted to say good luck (you are already getting good practical advice). Our house is a big three bed mid terrace in the cold north and even on a pay as you go smart meter we only pay about £70 a month and I use the tumble dryer all the time.

I’d never had a pay as you go meter before but it was here when we moved in (bought a a former rental) and while we did plan on changing it I found I liked the control we have over how much we pay out (compared to direct debit) and the lack of big post-winter bills. We make all payments online so no having to find a corner shop at inconvenient times.

While it wouldn’t help your current overcharge problem, it might help your anxiety over the situation? Something to consider anyway.

When I said best to have people at home when you turn off the fuse box, I actually meant the neighbours to see if they are consuming your energy. But yes, your dh will also be of great help.

🤔 the switch by hot water tank for immersion heater is off but it’s on in this fuse box ? I will post pictures

These

The trouble with switching off the electric at the fuse box is if their electric supply has been tapped into by ndn, it wont show as their (stolen) electric would switch off too. You need to switch off each fuse individually to see what is using the electric after unplugging everything that you are using.

I would unplug everything single plug, including fridge (it will be fine for an quite a while) then see if the meter is still showing electic being used. Then switch off the individual fuses to isolate where the electric is bein used. Each fuse is an electric circuit. So you will have one for your cooker, one for the living room and hallway lights, one for the plug sockets etc.

Ds wont let me leave the room or put him down so I need dh here to help but I will do it as soon as he’s back

When you turn your fuse box off, do it when your neighbours are home and check if their lights happen to go out at the same time.

If the immersion heater switch is off, then in theory the fuse box switch is irrelevant. However, how do you know that the immersion heater switch is off? Does it have a lift on or specifically say "on" or "off"? If you do turn everything off (at the appropriate wall switches etc) and you are still getting meter movement, then I would turn the immersion off at the fuse box just to see.

Actually you could be doing this now instead of being on MN

^ Great idea

Bloody hell OP I'd demand a breakdown of usage/cost.

I use Bulb who are fantastic. If you haven’t already switched I highly recommend them.

Same. As soon as I switched to bulb it's been £90 a month gas and electricity. Summer it was (waaay) cheaper but the excess went to them, to top up all the winter bills. My winter bills (3 bed VERY cold semi, 1 adult 2 kids) my last bill was £165 - used a lot of heating/tumble dryer.

I had all this with First Utility. DO NOT ever go there.

Where is your water meter located?

To avoid confusion, before you turn off the fuse box, just run off all electrical things in the house and the. Check the meters and then again in say an hour. It will help you determine if energy is still being used, if you have a hidden appliance that you've forgotten about or don't know about or something else. Then you can narrow down using individual fuses and finally turning the whole unit off. You don't need DH to do that.

Fusebox switches are generally always all on, they'd only be off if something was wrong and too much electricity was being drawn.

That sounds awful OP and not right at all! Hope you get things sorted.

We don’t have a water meter I don’t think I’ll ask dh

Realistically, how would the neighbours have tapped into your supply? Do you have a garage or outside power point adjacent to their property?

Then turn the fuse off for the water meter. See if the meter slows down. Water meters are usually located outside your property and would (I imagine) be the easiest to tap into if you are a thieving scumbag

I have no idea I didn’t even realise it was possible ! It’s just something I’m wondering now but I just know something is wrong

No garage and no outside power point

You haven't got an immersion heater on constantly have you? It seems very strange the supplier wouldn't accept your change and changed your tariffs like that. I would ring them and say you haven't been getting the answers you need and want to escalate the matter to a complaint.

I've had issues with bulb and they never reply!