Electricity bill

[Salome61]

Hello, I moved into an electricity only 2 bedroom cottage rental a month ago.

It is oil central heating and I keep the temperature about 18 degrees, heating comes on in the morning for 2 hours, 4 hours in the evening. I've done one wash a week, and I normally use the microwave for eating, I've used the electric oven about four times. I try to swtich off lights as I go.

When I moved in I was given a photo of the electric meter. I haven't got a ladder so couldn't check it, but the inventory company had enclosed a photo in their report.

I read the meter today and submitted it to Octopus - just had a bill for £180 for the month? I am shocked, what am I doing wrong?

If the heating is oil, then that is crazy. I wonder does the meter reading match the photograph? Is the photo one taken on the date that you moved in?

Thanks, I'm glad you agree it's high. There is an outside security light, perhaps I should shut it off at night.

My house up the road is in auction this Wednesday so I moved down here in advance as the landlord agreed to take my dog and cat.

I'm going up to the house to get my ladder today to check the reading again, my son read it yesterday.

I only pay £60 a month for my 5 bed, I can't understand it

The light won't be using much at all so leave it.

Is the opening meter reading on the bill the same as the one in the photo? That is the first thing to check, also check that the readings on the bill are actual readings not estimates as it’s not unheard of for electricity companies to ignore customer readings.

Have you checked that you haven’t got the immersion heater on? Our old house has oil heating but an immersion for hot water and that was really expensive

what tariff? How much per unit? How much standing charge?

immersion heater left on?

BTW tank up with oil, it is relatively cheap at the moment. Don't go on a direct debit scheme, follow prices.

That bill is basically average 2kw for the whole month, so you'd have to have the immersion heater on and the hot tap running.
It's definitely wrong, you can get the supplier to back estimate the bill.
Start reading the meter regularly ideally daily so you can understand your rate of usage

What colour is your hot water cylinder? Is the tap water surprisingly hot?

What were the actual meter readings at the start and end of the billing period? What are they now?

If you did not check the meter at the start of your tenancy, it might have been wrong.

Have you got a tumble drier?

Have you got an electric heater?