How is gas and electric usage estimated?

Russinating · 6 Feb 2013 at 09:19

We've just received our first bill from British Gas and I was just wondering how gas and electric is estimated. The gas is spot on but the electric is astronomical. The previous tenant was a stoner and I've a feeling he may have been a producer too and I don't know if this would be an indication.

By astronomical I mean they estimated that we would have used 2,300 units since November, whereas we've used just over 500.

Freakbro · 6 Feb 2013 at 09:22

Well, as you've said, it is your first bill so they don't have much to go on to estimate with, as they would usually use either historical data or typical averages. So they may have just gone on the usage from the previous tenant....which could have been higher than normal for....whatever reason...

No issue though, just phone them with the reading and they will amend your bill to the right amount.

cjgardens · 6 Feb 2013 at 09:26

must have only been a small crop or I would have thought if would have been much higher

Russinating · 6 Feb 2013 at 09:32

Yeah I know it's no problem, just wondering how they estimate things or if it's just a typo! And yeah it's only a 2-bed flat, would've been grown in the attic probably. There's still loads of random crimped power cables and strip lights up there.

d_brennen · 6 Feb 2013 at 09:40

Utilities seem to estimate in their favour. I'm in credit with gas and electric, even with winter usage, keep meaning to get round to giving them readings

Lartyconshayo · 7 Feb 2013 at 00:34

The easieast thing to do will be to manage your account through their website. Put readings in one a month and that wil help them to make better estimates for your usage

knip · 7 Feb 2013 at 07:05

When I started my account with EDF, they asked me how old the property was, how many people were living here, what heating system I had, and what appliances I have. (absolutely everything is electric here)

They then estimated it would be about £40 a month, but having got so far into credit, and when they came and did a meter reading themselves, they reduced my monthly payments to £19 a month. I should submit another meter reading as its been cold for about a month since they last did the reading.