Single user average energy bill?

[Alastrum]

Just trying to get a sense of whether I'm paying too much or not... I'm paying £135 per month direct debit.

 

I'm a single man living alone in a one -bedroom flat. I have gas central heating and a gas cooker. No TV or hi-fi, but my computer is on all day. As a single man, I don't do a lot of cooking:), so the oven doesn't get used much. I have a washing machine too.

 

The property is rented, so I can't change suppliers: they're set by the landlord. The supplier for both gas and electricity is e.on.

 

I've just been reading about a family of 6 who say their combined energy bill is around £80 per month. How can my bills be £50 more than theirs? OK, maybe they don't all have computers and hi-fi's, but they must cook, and wash?

 

So, how does my bill compare with other people's? What do you pay? Is mine about average, too little, or too much?

[renegadeimp]

I would contact e-on. Theyre not exactly reputable and are pretty pricey.

[raydetinu]

Well of course you can change suppliers, if you are paying direct to eon.

Your paying the bill so it is up to you who is your supplier.

do you check the meter amount you are using regularly? or based on estimated readings?

I have 4 bed house and only pay £110/ month combined.

Computer only uses about 60w/hour, which is about 0.8p/hr at 12p/kw

[Alastrum]

Sure, but I need to go to them with more than just a feeling! They could easily fob me off. But if I can say, look, here's a family of 4 in a 3-bedroomed house paying less than me, and here's a family of 3 paying less than me, then I have a case for them looking at my usage. On the other hand, if other single people are paying around the same, then my bill may be about average. At this point, I just don't know...

[Alastrum]

Unfortunately, it's in the lease that I can't change supplier.

 

The meters are all in a locked cupboard on the ground floor: meter readers are supposed to ask the caretaker for the key, but I guess many of them don't bother and just estimate.

[i hate bailiffs]

Unfortunately, it's in the lease that I can't change supplier.

 

The meters are all in a locked cupboard on the ground floor: meter readers are supposed to ask the caretaker for the key, but I guess many of them don't bother and just estimate.

 

Sounds like they may of not read the meter for some time so you are being charged what they are estimating you are using

 

Get the meter read it may be at the rate they charging you the account is in credit and would be better in your bank that theres

[Alastrum]

Yeah, but what are YOU paying? My question isn't about what to do about it, it's how my bills compare to other people.

[renegadeimp]

If the energy company are estimating your usage, then youve found your problem.

[Surfer01]

Somehow I think it is illegal for a landlord to write into a lease that you cannot change supplier especially if it disadvantages you. As a leaseholder you are fully entitled to ask to see the meter. and take a reading. Maybe you are paying for the landlord's consumption also. Is the address on the bill an exact match to your address, i.e. the address for the block of flats is 12 Yourtown Street, but you are in 12a Yourtown Street and the bills show 12a Yourtown Street. Is it a private or council landlord?

[renegadeimp]

Not illegal at all. Unless it is considered to be an unfair term.

[Surfer01]

If they are being financially disadvantaged, then it would be an "unfair term". I agree "illegal" is probably a bit strong.

[nottslad]

don't forget no two properties are the same, and the efficiency of the boiler for heating and other major appliances will have an impact. We've moved from a one bed flat to a 2 bed house, have bought a hot tub and our consumption has only gone up by £30 a month (it's £147 based on actual reads)

[raydetinu]

By law the energy company must read the meter once a year and send you the readings.

Have you ever had any readings, who gets the bill?

Sounds like an unfair term and condition to; tenant has right to choose his own supplier.

Suggest you contact a different supplier and CAB, or Shelter.

see; http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/problems_switching_energy_suppliers/can_you_switch_gas_or_electricity_supplier_if_youre_a_tenant_.htm

 

and; http://www.dwf.co.uk/news/legal-updates/new-regulations-give-tenants-the-right-to-choose-electricity-and-gas-suppliers/

 

and; http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2030078/Renters-switch-energy-bills-despite-contracts-save-300.html

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

Hi Alastrum

 

As nottslad says, no two properties are the same. Levels of insulation, age and size of property, type of heating, individual lifestyles etc all make comparisons difficult.

 

I'd suggest following some of the advice already on this thread and take meter readings. Take them daily for the first week, then weekly for a month and then monthly after that. This will help you build up a picture of your ongoing consumption.

 

Armed with this info, you can then look to see where savings might possibly be made. We can help with this. We've an Energy Efficiency team who specialise in helping people cut back on their usage. Have a chat with these guys. Tell them about your property and appliances. They'll be happy to help.

 

Ask for a copy of a booklet called '100 ways to save money by saving energy.' It's free and contains lots of useful advice to help you save.

 

Check out our website, too. Particularly, the 'Interactive House' and 'Energy Menu.' More good tips here.

 

Firstly, though, if you're bills are estimated, let us have the meter readings. We'll be happy to bill your account up to date and review your payments.

 

Once you've an idea of your usage, pop this on to one of the independent comparison sites. This will show all the tariffs available, both with us and the other suppliers. Make sure you're on the best deal for you.

 

Hope this helps point you in the right direction. Let me know if you need any more info as will be glad to help.

 

Malc

[raydetinu]

I think e.on have missed the point, LL should not keep access to meter etc from tenant! or restrict them from changing supplier!

[jackieandwayne]

1 bed flat, 2 adults. Combined bill monthly with British Gas is £108. Gas heating, hot water shower and bath , cooker. Electric - washing machine, dishwasher, shower, tumble dryer, computer, TV. Just starting to slip into debit with them where I think the bills went up but not my DD's.

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

I think e.on have missed the point, LL should not keep access to meter etc from tenant! or restrict them from changing supplier!

 

Hi raydetinu

 

The OP's relationship with their Landlord isn't something I can really comment on. What I can say, though, meter readings are the key to understanding their usage and whether or not their monthly payments are adequate.

 

Whilst we try to read a meter at least twice a year (more often in some regions), if access is denied, it can be difficult. In these cases, customers can help by providing their own readings. There are various ways they can do this including online, phone or email. It'll also help them form a better understanding of their ongoing usage and see ways they may be able to control this and keep costs down.

 

Legally, we only need to inspect meters at least once every 2 years but prefer to do this more often. However, as I say, this isn't always possible where access is a problem.

 

The new smart meters we're installing will eventually help with this. They send us readings remotely so need to worry about access. Although we'll still need to see the meter every so often to make sure it's safe and working as it should.

 

Hope this is of interest raydetinu. Please just ignore if not.

 

Malc

[raydetinu]

Malc, you make fair points and is useful.

 

Op needs access to his meter to check the readings and that it is the correct meter for his flat?

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

That's a good point raydetinu. Where there's a number of meters together in a communal area, especially if it's a new build, mix ups can sometimes happen.

 

Would be a good idea for the OP to make sure the Meter Serial Numbers we're billing to actually match those on their meters.

 

Malc

[ericsbrother]

Demand that the company read the meter as you thik that the readings are false. They can get an order for access to the meters and then you will have the correct reading for a while anyway. What sort of tenancy do you have? I can see whay a LL doesnt want the supply companiy changed if you are only there for 6 months as it can be a nightmare but the LL should be reasonable about accessing the meter for reading it.