Electric bill totaling £222 for a quarter?

Question

I have received a bill from my supplyer for £222 for the 3 summer months I only live in a terraced 2 bed house I know that prices have gone up but this seems ridiculas to me the reading is correct any answers on how to cut down ps we are oap's.

Answer 1

I'd get them to check your meter, just in case of a fault.
I live in a large 3 bed terrace - my bill was around 119 quid!!

Answer 2

That seems far too expensive! Check that they have not made an 'estimated' reading of the amount of electricity you've used (for example if they haven't been able to get to the meter) because these are often far too high. If they've just used an estimate you can give them the correct meter reading and have the bill recalculated.

The other thing is to check you are getting the best deal on your electricity from your supplier. There may be a cheaper supplier you can switch too, and you can check this on http://www.uswitch.com.

The way to keep electricity costs in your house down depends on what you use electricity for. Firstly big stuff like electric heaters, cookers, washing machines and tumble dryers use loads of power, and it's best to look at how you can cut down their use or find an alternative. Eg for heating, gas heating tends to be cheaper, or if you need to use electric heating, close doors, use draught excluders, or look into better insulation in your home. Dry your clothes on a rail rather than in a tumble dryer, make sure you always run your washing machine full and on the lowest possible cycle. When pre-heating your oven to cook in it make sure it is turned on only when it needs to be and isn't switched on way too early.

Secondly, the other source of high electricity usage is little things that don't seem like much but really add up when there's lots of them - so always turn off lights when you don't need them, and change to energy saving lightbulbs if you can, don't leave your TV on standby but turn it off at the plug, fill the kettle only with the water you need. With all these measures you'll also be doing loads of good for the environment.

Answer 3

this sounds very high. I'm in a 2-bed terrace too and I pay about £26 per month averaged out over the year. Plus another £25 a month for the gas.
You don't say if your heating is electric - if so maybe this could account for it. Electric heating is much more expensive than gas. Do you have some kind of equipment that is using a lot of electric? I'd take this up with the supplier and ask what they think should be typical cost and why yours is so much. Good luck.

Answer 4

Ensure that you have your hot water tank well lagged. Check that there are no dripping hot water taps. Turn on the immersion heater for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening maximum. Try to get onto economy 7. Then you can turn on immersion heater by time switch during the low price period. Only boil water for your needs not a whole kettle full. Don' use oven as plate warmer. Cook more with a microwave as it is quick and cheap. Jacket potatoes in an oven take hours. Boil them.
Turn off unnecessary lights.
If you also have electric heating then make sure that you have good loft lagging and cavity wall fill. Cavity wall fill can be available on a grant from your local council. Check them out. Change your electricity supplier for a cheaper one. Check out the Best Deal type web sites.

Hope some of these suggestions help. I live in a 3 bedroom house and my total fuel bill, gas and electricity is approx £600 per year.

Answer 5

PLEASE READ THIS ONE ONLY IF YOU DON'T MIND A LITTLE LIGHT RELIEF ON THE SUBJECT - And having just realised what I've said, NO pun intended! Now.....

""It's amazing just how much current those big lamps use when you're trying to grow a houseful of "indoor plants" like those nice people in Enfield, isn't it?""

Now, I repeat, I am NOT casting any aspersions or trying to take the mickey, but it does seem rather apt after yesterday's news, you must agree!

Meanwhile, as somebody has so rightly said, try and check back to the same quarter last year and see what the difference is. Don't forget, it's not unknown to find that some ratbag has wired up the street lamps to your supply, even if in error!!!

Answer 6

Always check your readings. I have been overcharged so many times, I changed suppliers. They were transposed the night rate with the day rate. Are you on the correct rate for your property. Economy 7 etc. If you are all is well, then turn off any standby equipment ie television etc.,. Talk to your supplier to help you cut your bill. They can give you some great tips in saving money.

Answer 7

Have you compared it to the bill from this time last year. On usage if roughly same then do a quick calculation to see if they have overcharged you.

Otherwise have you been running more things i.e. fans, cooling system, PC/TV etc.

Also change to low energy light bulbs, use natural light where you can. Or if I am only just going into a room to get something I have a light that is central to most of the house rooms and use that to go into and get the item without turning on the other rooms light. Put things on timers.

Answer 8

we live in a 5 bed semi and on a pre pay meter and only spent about £120 on our supply and have got 4 kids. Got the pc on all day plus tv cos im stay at home mum, and the washer seems to be going non stop, and living in wales with terrible weather i seem to use the tumble dryer a lot too. We have low energy bulbs and they seem to make a huge difference.too

Answer 9

What was the bill for the same period last year? Have you bought any new major appliances? Have you forgotten to switch something off? Has someone in the flat above tapped into your wiring? I would have thought £30-45.00 per month in summer would be about right. Do you cook with electricity?

Answer 10

i use about £180 on a key meter which is slightly dearer than paying quarterly. I live in a 3 bed semi and me and my partner have 4 kids so if theres just the 2 of you your paying way too much!