gross energy overcharging leading to debt, help!

[energyvamp]

I have nc for this.

So, we have moved recently, a couple of times, not our doing. We are really struggling to actually rent somewhere reasonable that allows pets, but anyhow, our energy bills are crazy, despite each time we have them properly assessed by submitting daily readings, they are described as very low usage.

At the moment we live in a small, newly revamped (new heating system, boiler, DG, and so on), but still the bills are coming in at roughly £150 pm!!!

I have never paid that in a 4 bed house!

I have found a resource on moneysavingexpert but thats something I am struggling to access without some support, and as many may be aware, support is very thin on the ground. Also, support cannot help with the legal stage.

I dont know what to do. I have random numbers calling a phone (debt collectors) that I have now abandoned and got myself another new one finally with a new number, but I worry daily about how to deal with this.

I have literally turned the boiler off, as it frequently starts on its own, I have an extractor fan that seems to run on its own to a timer that cuts in after hours, like after 11 or something and runs continually, and doesn't seem to be connected to the bathroom light wiring atall, and two massive outside lights that I wasn't advised I would be liable for. I have switched off the fuse for the outside lights, reported the fan issue, been ignored, got in my own electrician, who found and pulled the isolation socket fuse, and there is a constant flow of water from one side of the shower controls, if this is the hot feed surely this will trigger the boiler to continually run.

I seriously can't believe there are so many issues with it here!

I am desperately trying to move, and nothing is coming up.

I have been to CAB about all the other issues here that remain unresolved, and will be going back shortly when i can arrange another appt by calling them on tuesday or wed next.

I am so desperate to get away from here I am feeling really grim about life and the point of it all frankly.

I know I am not the only one in this boat, by any stretch, but forgive me, aren't energy companies jist treating their services as a bloody licence to print money and set the debt collectors on you if you won't immediately pay up but have real problems with the charges.

I am sorry for the long long post, but I hope it serves to explain sufficiently.

Any ideas ...anyone?!

Okay, so the issue isn't that you have low recorded usage but the bill is high, the issue is that your recorded usage is higher than you think it should be.

Can you revisit citizens advice to help and ask them to sit and go through all the bills with you.
For help with the paying the bills I would suggest either step change or Christians against poverty they may be able to freeze some of the debt or make it so you pay very little whilst you look into it all.
Depending on the company charis grants may be something else to look into,
don't be bullied by the debt collectors.

I am going into my own debt now by paying this, and I am being bullied by the debt collectors, who have suceeded.

I am now worried about my financial situation as a result, but they are off my back, finally!

Normally monthly direct debits would only be around that price is if they was working it out based on your annual usage and spreading the costs through 12 monthly payments.

If you are a low user and they are demanding that amount I would look at the tariff you are on, not direct debit tariffs tend to be a lot higher as they don’t apply a discount.

Given the fact you state you have given readings every day it means you have done what they call a loads test that they get the energy efficiency department to say if you are a high user (this department is to normally tell people to shut up they are wrong they are using the energy).

The only other thing that could have got you into debt if your moving in readings are estimated and lower then what they should be.

Other then that, I’m sorry to say, you do the owe the money. As you are disputing the debt though they cannot pass it along to a debt collector, you can contact the ombudsman about this if you choose to.

Your best bet, use what knowledge you have based on your readings, go onto uswitch, find a cheaper supplier, and go onto direct debit as they offer the cheapest tariffs.

I used to work for npower for 3 years in the general enquires department and we had this dispute come through a lot.

You’re not with Greenstar energy by any chance?
My dh is currently having a dispute with these con merchants.

I used to work for npower for 3 years in the general enquires department and we had this dispute come through a lot

What was at the bottom of these commonly handled complaints that had the same issue as me Jelly ?

No, its not green longdistance

@energyvamp

Being on a few FB groups and forums about money saving there is a definite common trend about people asking for energy supplier advice especially prepayment meters, smart meters and warm home discount (£140 one off discount on your electricity bill). This might be a useful video

@energyvamp

It was either

1. They owed the money because of the price of their tarrif and not being on a direct debit.
2. Start reading was incorrect from their move/switch over.

1. A problem with their energy usage, they think they are a low user but actually they aren't.
2. Very rarely, a problem with the meter.

From what you have said it's clearly not 3&4 as they have made you test that. Which only leaves 1&2. But you said it was saying your usage per month was £100-£150 pm which leaves 1 left. I'd also look for any hidden charges as some energy company's do this. Extra charge for sending bills, extra charge for being on manual payment scheme rather then DD, extra charge for the move and set up. Energy company's can be sneaky little shits and it's about catching it. It's why people tend to go with one of the big 3 instead of lesser known companies.

Thank you for those options.

Mine fluctuate wildly. I have calculated all the bills myself from the readings of theirs and mine.

How can one week be ultra low usage and another £150 months worth?!?

It makes no sense.

Its breaking me, it really is.

Personally I would make a point of avoiding the large ones, like eon, as they're far worse tbh, and this what others have said also

Oh it will do. They are complete nightmares when it comes to billing.
I'm with British gas myself (I would never be an npower customer 😂 trust me). And ever since I had a smart meter put in I've never had any issues with my bills.
The only thing you can do is calculate what you owe on your bills and take it from there.
Are their bills estimated readings saying £150 for a week. Or are the readings right but they are asking for that?

They are billing based on my readings, but its just not possible that one month I use £30 worth but the next £150!

It's bloody ridiculous

Is it gas or electric? You need to get an engineer in if you think something is causing your usage to fluctuate

What type of engineer ?

I had an electrician inspect who seemed somewhat surprised that there was a 60v fuse in the meter box outside. I dont know what that means,but it sounds like high power to me .

Also found something running all night long on a timer which shouldn't have been and pulled the fuse on it as it was impossible to stop (the controls had been snapped off so it couldnt be retimed or reset)