Empty flat consuming £50 of eletricity over 6 weeks?

Vanilla

Vanilla

Vanilla

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18 Oct 2002
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So I moved out of the flat I owned mid November in order to let it out while I travel. I gave the meter readings to the energy company.

As the owner I have recently received a bill for £50 for power over 6 weeks. This was for power from mid november to early Jan........but the fat was empty.

Now, during these 6 weeks there were many estate agent showings but nothing that should have caused a £50 bill! One time the shower was left on (power shower power) so I think this can consume quite a bit of power but it would only have been on for a few days. Apparently some 300 units was consumed.

Although I can't remember what my old bills were (i'm abroad) £50 is likely the cost of normal use over the period of 6 weeks - TV, PC 24/7, lights, etc.

The only things actually left on was the fridge-freezer.

The only alternative I can consider is that the flat downstair is stealing the power!!

Has anyone else had a similar situation? I know the power company will simply say they took the meter readings from me and the estate agents when the people moved in.
 
A power shower will consume loads, i have a 9kwh shower which is not the highest rating you can get, if it is left on for one hour that is the equivilant of running 9 high powered microwaves constantly for 1 hour.

Is it 300 units over the 6 weeks or just from the shower being left on? Makes you wonder what else has been left on, normal light bulbs can pull a lot of power when left on constantly, are there any electrical appliances apart from the fridge freezer left on standby?

Doesn't seem that much really, if someone was stealing your electricity it would most likely be far higher than £50 for 6 weeks.
 
If the power shower was left running then you're could be talking over £1 of electricity/hour.

If the power shower was left switched on, but not running, then power consumption would be minimal.

Possibly electric heating left on or coming on from a timer or thermostat?
 
Got an immersion heater for your hot water? sounds like its been left on constant, or perhaps the estate agents have turned on electric heating before showing people around?
 
do you have a standing charge on your electricity? I pay a standing charge every month with npower and hence have a lower rate per unit.
(6 weeks is £15 standing charge for me)
 
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I reckon it was the shower being left on. I'm hard of hearing, don't hear the sound of running water with my hearing aids out, and occasionally forget to turn it off. Only realise after I get back home from work some 9 hours later. That adds a few units on my meter.
 
Do you have electric storage heating? If that was left on and set high, it could use that much power if you're not on an E7 tariff...
 
Do they charge you rental on the meter? Used to charge me about £30 a quarter for the gas meter even I wasn't using any.

Leaving the power shower on for days?! They consume huge amounts of power.
 
Rough calculating.. but that works out a continuous draw of ~300w (so your recall of your old bills is wrong, there's no way that what you listed in less than 300w averaged out)

Factor in the shower being left on (which as stated, use a lot of power). The fridge / freezer and the lights being on at times - this doesn't seem that high to me.
 
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