How do I get free electricity?

Question

I am paying a fortune in electricity bills at the moment. Around £10 a day. May not sound like a lot, but this is costing me £300 a month. Already reduced all my electric usage to a min. Why is it when I was living in my own house and paying monthly, I had far more devices active and was only paying £60 a month. Living in this rented electric metre flat I am spending 4 times what I was when I was living in my own house and I had 2 servers there that were on all the time.

I think someone is ripping me off. Having a desktop and tv on for 5 hours downloading, hot water for a shower twice a week and the occasional lighting should not cost this much. When I had the house, the hot water was on all the time, two big servers on 24/7, lights on all evening and I was paying a lot less. Whats going on?

I know all about reducing electric usage. I know that solar power can give good electricity but dont have the money or the roof to buy that. Any way I can reduce bills?

Answer 1

Go to the power box and turn off all the power, watch the meter........Then call your power company and have somebody check it out.....

Answer 2

You could have a case of switched meters or something with another tennent. It is best to call your electrical company and let them know that you are concerned about your consumption use and ask them to come and check.

If you have access to your meter and know your serial number (usually on the bill) I would shut off the power at the main box and then see if your meter is still turning. If it is, then its probably been switched with another tennent. DO NOT attempt to take your meter apart as there are HOT/LIVE connections and you could electrocute or kill yourself.

Also, power consumption will be high if you have electric hot water tank or heat base boards which are very expensive compared to other methods. Keep the heat at a minimum when you are not there or at night and wash clothes in cold water. Makes a huge difference. If it is warm and you don't use your heat, shut the electric base board heaters off at the breaker. Also, things like lights, computers, TV etc that are used under normal circumstances do not consume a lot of electricity.

Also, most utilities have payment options. You pay a flat amount every month which is an average of the year and when the year or "anniversary" date comes around you pay the difference. In the winter you use more and the summer you use less and it almost equals itself out and you pay the difference or you get a credit/refund. Sometimes, its easier to budget when you know its the same amount every month.

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Answer 3

It may not seem to answer such a huge bill, but has there been a rate hike lately? The rates here in the states certainly do have their share of regular increases.

I agree with your first answer, too, but you may be able to turn off all the power in your home easier by just throwing a switch at your breaker box. Then watch the meter...see if there is still power usage. If there is, and the problem has to do with your building or your electrical system, you may not be able to get out of paying the bill. But if it is possible theft, you can certainly start an investigation. I would talk to the police first, since it is a possible theft. They can't do anything to diagnose your problem or point to the problem, but they can tell you who would be able to do this...and then they will need to get that info to follow up and help you press charges...and this is how you can recover your money, by suing the person who stole your electricity. Should be an easy enough case to win, and you may be able to use some sort of public attorney if you can't afford to do it yourself.

Answer 4

Unplug all electrical equipment that you have plugged in and observe if the electric meter is moving. That will determine if there is any loss other than your usage.