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Original poster

Please tell me this is a joke so I can sleep tonight (electric)

106 replies

Headphonehair · 12/10/2023 22:30

……and have a bath tomorrow

just had electric bill through for £890!

For context: just ds and I lived in a 2 bed end terrace, gas and electric £50 pm.

we’re hotbods so our bill is usually cheaper than the average household.

just moved to a 3 bed semi with electric only. On economy 7. Didn’t use cooker for first 3 weeks as hob knob snapped off on No 6 but that’s another story. Only difference in use is we have a bath instead of a shower. Haven’t turned heating on yet.

I’m aware that it would be more expensive due to being electric only and a slightly larger property, and also prices rising, but £840 increase? Really?

Surely this can’t be right, or is it, any thoughts?

with octopus same as previous property if it makes any difference.

OP posts:
CatOnAMushroom · 12/10/2023 22:34

How is your hot water heated and is it switched on constantly? Some electric water heaters can use a lot of electricity (though your bill does seem extreme)

BoilingHotand50something · 12/10/2023 22:35

Is there an immersion switch in the airing cupboard?

SardineJam · 12/10/2023 22:36

I live in a large 3 bed, gas central heating and electric hob, 4 of us living here. Sister lives in a small flat, her and her partner, electricity only. She pays significantly more than me being on electric only (about £200 more a month 🥺)

Motnight · 12/10/2023 22:36

Is it an estimated bill?

Homesweethome23 · 12/10/2023 22:37

Have you checked readings? it may be estimated.

Hellocatshome · 12/10/2023 22:37

How long a period does the bill cover? Are the start and end reads actual or estimated?

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 12/10/2023 22:38

Is it estimated and yes… if it’s electric only is there an immersion on all day?

404usernotfound · 12/10/2023 22:38

Either it’s estimated, or you have an immersion heater constantly on.

LakieLady · 12/10/2023 22:38

Have you got a smart meter?

If not, did you give them an opening reading when you moved in?

Hellinthekitchen · 12/10/2023 22:40

When you only paid £50pm was that actually what you used or just what the DD was set to each month?

I'm wondering if you've run up a debt on your old property and this has now been added to your new property.

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 12/10/2023 22:40

I think it could very easily be correct

Original poster
Headphonehair · 12/10/2023 22:41

It’s estimated. It’s for 1 month. The water from the tank is scorching, I’ve have had a trades person round to lower the temp. There is an emersion switch in the kitchen which is off.

OP posts:
StSwithinsDay · 12/10/2023 22:41

Is it an estimated or accurate reading? What is your meter reading now and does it correspond to the reading on the bill?

StSwithinsDay · 12/10/2023 22:42

So what is your actual meter reading?

404usernotfound · 12/10/2023 22:42

Well if it’s estimated it’s probably wrong.

what the meter reading now compared to
a) the estimate
b) the day you moved in

LIZS · 12/10/2023 22:43

Did you owe on your closing account for previous property - £50 pm seems very low. Have you read the meters for both on moving?

lostsoul2121 · 12/10/2023 22:43

I work for Octopus, if your bill is estimated, email over you actual meter reading. We will then update it and resend your bill.

Original poster
Headphonehair · 12/10/2023 22:44

Thank, this has put my mind at rest

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 12/10/2023 22:44

Did you take an actual read when you moved in? Is the start read correct? Tell Octopus the read you took when you moved in and the read now and they will send you an actual bill.

HenryCavillsWife · 12/10/2023 22:45

Even immersion heaters aren’t that spendy. I accidentally left ours on for months when our heating went wrong and it only added about £20 to the bill, if that. They’re not on all the time - they heat the water to a temperature then the tank-cladding stops it cooling down. The heater only comes on sporadically when the water cools a bit.

I say it’s debt from before added to your new bill. Call them or email. Octopus customer service is really good.

CoffeeLover90 · 12/10/2023 22:45

The first thing to check is - is this bill for the current property or the previous? You mentioned they supplied both. Then-
The reads, are they estimated?
Do you have an immersion heater? If so, is it switched on? This should be mentioned in your tenancy agreement.
Has the account been opened to the correct start date? Did you inform them when you moved in?
Are you using, at the very least, 45% of electricity between 11pm and 7am, to benefit the economy 7?
The best thing to do is ring your supplier, they'll help you through all the above.
Octopus are usually pretty good.

LiberteaBeautea · 12/10/2023 22:45

Oh do you @lostsoul2121 ? I bloody love Octopus staff, they’re so clever and helpful. They have been brilliant to my elderly mum when most companies put her on hold then cut her off. I really hope they’re nice to work for as I’m a bit in love with them
.

lostsoul2121 · 12/10/2023 22:47

Headphonehair · 12/10/2023 22:44

Thank, this has put my mind at rest

@Headphonehair honestly, we are one of the most lenient companies. Don't stress, just send over your actual reading via email and we can adjust it for you.

HenryCavillsWife · 12/10/2023 22:47

There is an emersion switch in the kitchen which is off

immersion. The heating element is immersed in the water.

Original poster
Headphonehair · 12/10/2023 22:47

I’ve always been in credit at £50 until recently. £148 was taken by dd last month, this is the most i have paid.

we used to live in Northumberland and now live in the south so don’t use a lot of heating hence why our bill is normally cheaper than others

OP posts: