@edfenergycs Bizarre meter readings and sky high bill

[babbleboom]

I was asked to start a new thread so re-posting. We really need advice about our meter readings and bill and would be really grateful if anyone can tell us what we steps we can take, if any?!

 

We moved from one rented flat last October, to a house. Our old flat had an electricity pre-payment meter so we always knew our consumption. When we moved to a house with garden, we no longer needed our tumble dryer nor an electric heater we had in our babies bedroom. We've been using less appliances and you would think less electricity since moving.

We changed supplier after two months in the new house, at the start of December, and had a bit of a shock to have a final bill for two months of £300, but we paid it and thought that it must have been one of those things. A shocking amount but we were in a new house.

We had been used to using £40 per week in the winter on a high tariff (this was for 14 hours a day of an electric heater, and a tumble dryer as well as everything we currently use). And typically £15-£20 in the summer months when we still used a tumble dryer, having no garden.

 

Forward to now, and we just had a bill from EDF for the six months to June. £1,075 for 184 days' use, 8568 units. We are floored by this.

 

We have had an Eaga meter since January which tells us what we use and it's not that! By our meters calculation we use 12 - 17 kWh a day. The bill tells us we use 46.5 kWh a day.

 

What do we have running? Well we use one TV which is admittedly turned on for most of every evening, two floor lights in the evening, a few energy saving lights that go on and off, one oven for about 45 mins a day, the rare use of the hob, a microwave for 5 mins a day, 8-12 3kW kettles boils, 4 loads of washing per week, one small filter pump and a fluoro bulb in a fishtank, one small fridge, one small under counter freezer, a laptop and a computer for a few hours in the evening. Two adults, one toddler.

 

Sitting here this evening I've had the washing machine and the oven both on at the same time alongside lights, TV and computer and we were using between 1.2 - 2.1 kWh according to our Eaga meter.

 

Our meter/bill would have us believe in that case, that we are using our washing machine (energy saving Hotpoint!), oven, TV, computers, and several lights all at once for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

The company EDF have asked us to write down our readings every day for the next five days but we are unsure what that will achieve if our meter is faulty...

 

Right now I am sick with worry as EDF have changed our monthly direct debit to £387 a month to reflect our new energy usage.

 

Huge thanks for any help and advice

[rebel11]

Hi babble

 

Welcome to CAG

 

I would only communicate with EDF via letter/e-mail so you have a record of whats been said. First of all, check which Tariff your on, are you on the cheapest Tariff? Secondly create a spreadsheet, log down your readings at the same time each day, in the morning and evening. Do this for two weeks.

It could be a faulty meter, it could be a faulty appliance, you need your own readings.

 

Here's some more info:- http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/consumer_energy_bills_e/consumer_problems_with_energy_bills_e/if_you_think_your_energy_meter_is_faulty.htm

 

Please let us know how your problem has been resolved, it could help fellow Caggers.

[Feebee_71]

A couple of really basic questions - do the meter readings on the bill reflect the readings you have when you moved in and transferred to them and the current meter reading?

 

Is the bill claiming be be based on estimated reading or accurate readings? Does the meter reference number on the bill match the reference number on the meter?

 

Do keep a diary of what your eaga meter says is your daily usage compared to what the electricity meter says is the daily usage. Also try turning everythinp off for one hour (if possible switch off the electric at the fuse box) and take a meter reading when you turn everything off and back on again - if I understand things correctly the meter shouldn't change during that hour but, if it does, that would indicate something is amiss with your meter!!

 

Feebee_71

[Surfer01]

First thing to do is to go and check the meter serial number (MSN) and check that it corresponds with the meter serial number on the bill. They have advised you correctly about taking readings every day at the same time as it is then easy to work out your monthly consumption. For a house in summer to use £170 of a electric in a month is rather high. Your biggest culprit for consumption would be the tumble drier and an electric stove.

Please advise if MSN is correct and then your daily consumption. Is there a separate standing charge or is it included in unit tariff?