Is this excessive?

TNGL · 16 Dec 2011 at 23:51

Let me give first give you some background information:
A couple of years ago my Mum decided to switch to an electricity meter because she thought it'd work out cheaper. Today, she received a statement from April - 6th~ December which basically said that 5,900~ units were used (1 unit being 1 kWh) and each unit being charged at 12.5p. There was also VAT being charged at around 5%. We have around 4 TVs (some used more than others, some not used at all), 3 computers, 3 laptops and various other electrical items which you'd usually find in a household. We don't use an electric cooker either.

The Bill: £757 from April - Beginning of December

So, is it that the cost per unit is expensive? The fact that a meter's being used instead of receiving an annual bill (or something like that, I don't understand it)? Or is it that we're just using far too much electricity?

I don't pay the bill, but she thought it was slightly excessive so I said I'd look it up.

Thanks Guys.

EDIT:
Also, there are 6 people in the house and there's an electric shower as well.

Bes · 16 Dec 2011 at 23:53

That's about 2.5x what ours is for a 2 bed flat. Sounds very steep to me.

4T5 · 16 Dec 2011 at 23:54

How much does that work out per week & do you have gas in your house as well ?

Angst · 16 Dec 2011 at 23:56

For 3 people ours works out at about £90 a month, so it doesn't seem that steep.

TNGL · 16 Dec 2011 at 23:58

4T5 said:
How much does that work out per week & do you have gas in your house as well ?

£757 in 8 months, so £94.63 per month, £23.66 a week. Yes, we do have gas as well.

PhillyDee · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:11

How do you mean a meter? Every house has a meter. Do you mean the key operated ones, which are meant for people who cannot get credit, and are have quite steep prices.

Vonhelmet · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:12

Doesn't sound unreasonable, considering you apparently have a Dixons showroom worth of electrical goods in your house.

TNGL · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:15

PhillyDee said:
How do you mean a meter? Every house has a meter. Do you mean the key operated ones, which are meant for people who cannot get credit, and are have quite steep prices.

It's one of those things where you 'top it up', essentially, pay as you go electricity. We were on a 'normal' electricity tariff, but apparently it would be cheaper to just go with 'pay as you go' electricity.

Vonhelmet said:
Doesn't sound unreasonable, considering you apparently have a Dixons showroom worth of electrical goods in your house.

I lol'd.

Vonhelmet · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:16

Tingle said:
It's one of those things where you 'top it up', essentially, pay as you go electricity. We were on a 'normal' electricity tariff, but apparently it would be cheaper to just go with 'pay as you go' electricity.

Like where you have to buy credit at the corner shop or something? I'm pretty sure those are a brutal rip off.

TNGL · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:17

Vonhelmet said:
Like where you have to buy credit at the corner shop or something? I'm pretty sure those are a brutal rip off.

Yes, exactly that.

Vonhelmet · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:21

Tingle said:
Yes, exactly that.

Unless you can't get credit (and if you fail the electricity company's credit check then God help you) or you live absolutely hand to mouth, I can't imagine that it could be a better deal than going for a regular deal and paying by monthly direct debit.

How much are you paying for gas? How many people in the house? What kind of house and how big?

4T5 · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:24

Tingle said:
£757 in 8 months, so £94.63 per month, £23.66 a week. Yes, we do have gas as well.

Less than 25 quid a week is nowt.

muon · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:24

Tingle said:
Yes, exactly that.

That isn't cheaper. That's for people with rubbish credit histories.

However, if you heat your home with electricity then it doesn't seem off.

TNGL · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:25

Vonhelmet said:
Unless you can't get credit (and if you fail the electricity company's credit check then God help you) or you live absolutely hand to mouth, I can't imagine that it could be a better deal than going for a regular deal and paying by monthly direct debit.

How much are you paying for gas? How many people in the house? What kind of house and how big?

I don't know about gas, I only know of this electricity statement because I overheard it being discussed and investigated. But the gas is also pay as you go. It's a 4 bedroom terraced house.
I know she has the option to switch back to paying it by direct debit, though.

anyon said:
However, if you heat your home with electricity then it doesn't seem off.

It's gas heated.

Vonhelmet · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:26

4T5 said:
Less than 25 quid a week is nowt.

Considering I pay way less than that for leccy and gas... It's certainly something.

muon · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:27

Vonhelmet said:
Considering I pay way less than that for leccy and gas... It's certainly something.

You have to heat a 4 bedroom house?

Vonhelmet · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:28

Tingle said:
I don't know about gas, I only know of this electricity statement because I overheard it being discussed and investigated. But the gas is also pay as you go. It's a 4 bedroom terraced house.

So there's gas on top of that? Good grief. For reference, we pay £76 per month for gas and electric in a 3 bed semi...

Vonhelmet · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:28

anyon said:
You have to heat a 4 bedroom house?

A 3 bed semi, which is probably comparable to or more expensive than a 4 bed terrace given the extra exposed wall.

TNGL · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:33

Vonhelmet said:
So there's gas on top of that? Good grief. For reference, we pay £76 per month for gas and electric in a 3 bed semi...

Yep, but we don't use much gas at all.

muon · 17 Dec 2011 at 00:35

Vonhelmet said:
A 3 bed semi, which is probably comparable to or more expensive than a 4 bed terrace given the extra exposed wall.

Well when it comes to heating there are so many factors to consider. What is adequate heating and how long it is running.

Tingle said:
Yep, but we don't use much gas at all.

Gas is simply much better value for heating.