Utility Bills

[CREATIVE!11]

I need some help understanding gas/electric bills,

We moved into a new flat recently me and 2 housemates, we paid off the last house of course before we moved out so I assume no debt has been carried over or anything.

We got our first gas bill through from EDF energy saying from 1st of july to 17th we have used 30 pounds of gas?

Is that correct because that seems a bit high? Our shower is electric no central heating ofc, only thing that is gas is our hob which we don't use that often. My friend set it up and agreed (he's a bit of a moron tbh so I don't trust him really to be doing it.) to a direct debit of 45 per month for gas and I was thinking that is Ludacris? that's not even including electricity just gas.

How much are you guys paying for gas is this estimate right?!

Edit: I Also see they are direct debiting 37 pounds a month for the electric.... which also seems tad high.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

When did you move in? Are you sure you haven't been billed for time before you moved in, which would be the landlord's responsibility.

1st of july, gave them meter readings and everything.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

Do you know if a reading was given upon moving in to make sure you aren't charged for any usage of the previous tenants? Also worth shopping around for supplier if you haven't, could be on an expensive tariff.

For my flat (2 bedroom, 2 people) electric shower, electric hob, gas for heating and water it got up to around £45 a month in the winter, back in june it was about £20 a month.

One thing to check is what is this first bill based on? If it doesn't have a meter reading for the start and end then it will be an estimated bill where they have just guessed what your usage was, and they have probably done it on the assumption of 3 people with central heating, gas hot water etc.

If it was an estimated bill then when you give them your meter reading you will get another bill showing the refund and your account balance will be adjusted. Also if you feel the direct debit is too high you can always call up and change it.

I might try shopping about,

these bills seem horrendously high... and I cannot afford it right now for EDF to line their pockets willy nilly with extra money.

I don't know how to shop around though? where do I start and how do I figure it all out? any advice?

To the OP.
Remember - if you're on a fixed payment then you will accrue credit in the summer ready for your high Winter usage.
It helps people budget, otherwise your summer bills would £5 per month and your winter ones £200+ per month

We don't use central heating at all, we didn't last winter we just suffered lol.