Southern Electric Big Gas Bill

[funhat]

We received our first bill from SE after changing from Npower for the quarter. It's come in at just shy of £400, which is really alarming. According to SE we've used nearly 1750c/m of Gas, which is a jump of about 10x than what we were using with Npower.

What's the things I should be checking out on this before admitting defeat?

Thanks!

[Spiceskull]

You should check that NPower took an ACTUAL final reading before switching you over, and check that SSE have used the same figure to measure gas consumed...

If you believe that this represents about ten times your normal usage, then one or the other has used an estimated reading...or even both of them...

Checking figures for switchover, and used since switchover, is your first step. Then you can judge whether they are both charging you for using the same gas...

[funhat]

I've just checked the bills and the last reading from Npower was an estimate of 4920 on 05/12/2007, SE started on 01/01/2008 with 5010. Both were estimates.

I'd estimate there was some cross over there at least.

[Spiceskull]

Next step is to get SSE to come and officially take a true reading...subtract 5010 from that, and you will get a more accurate indication of gas you have used.

There is a complicated formula for working out roughly what it will cost, based on number of units/therms used, standing charges, tariff variations etc, but if you ask them to take a true reading, and recalculate your bill, they should be reasonably accommodating.