I recently swapped over from Npower to British Gas - purely to reduce costs.
Well, they had true meter reading middle of May and estimated my use to the 28th June (less than 6 weeks).
Their estimate for that period reckoned I used 50% more gas in 6 weeks in the middle of summer than I used in the same time in the middle of winter.
That cooking on a gas ring (electric oven) and heating water every couple of days used more gas than cooking more hot meals and having more baths, as well as having the central heating on most of the day.
I always check my usage - got it all on a spreadsheet. But that isn't an 'error' on their part, it is attempted theft. No-one with half a brain would reckon that estimate was even close to reasonable. I've yet to hear if npower agree to reduce my bill.
Funny though - they same company seems to be able to work out the electric fine. Crackers.
Seems they're preying on the vulnerable - ie those who don't check their meters for whatever reason.
You're right in that it is fraud and tantemount to daylight robbery and just another attempt to fleece the tax-paying law-abiding public.
They're probably not intentionally selective but in order to pay utility bills you have to be on the system in the first place - those that live below the radar get away with anything and everything.
I switched to npower last year. They assured me I would save money because there was no standing charge. They have consistently failed to read my meter and I am now paying alomst double what I did before. I've already told them that as soon as my account is in credit (which it always was with other suppliers), I'm off.
Try getting an electric bill when i am on the key metre and always have been since moving into this house, I wont pay so they are taking me to court ive had the bills looked over by a solicitor i have no reason to pay!
Any company will rob you blind if you let them
I had major problems with nPower. As far as I'm concerned they are major rip off bastards.
I'm the typcal lazy git who just takes for granted that the bills that arrive are accurate (yeah I know, I deserve what happens to me). I also didn't keep a check on how often the meter was read.
It turns out that the meter hadn't been read for almost 18 months and in that time they had been under-estimating the bill. So not knowing this I arranged to move to Atlantic (who are absolutely brilliant as far as I am concerned). At the change over I received two bills from nPower. One for £260 and one for £512. Of course I baulked at this and phoned them up to complain that a. I didn't owe that much and b. it was their fault for not reading the meter for so long so that in itself should allow them to let me pay it off in instalments. Their response was that a. they aren't legally obliged to read the meter at all as that is the responsibility of Transco (or whoever actually delivers the gas) and b. if I don't pay it within 7 days they will issue a court summons. Bastards.
Incidentally for those who don't know, the firm eon is the same company as nPower.
So if you're in the North-West I can thoroughly recommend Atlantic Gas and Electric. They aren't the cheapest (not the dearest either) but I've had nothing but help and good communication from them. I even got a cheque for 50 odd quid from them last year as part of a gift to their customers as their profits were higher than expected or something.
PS: if you're thinking of switching utility providers then I recommend doing it through uSwitch ( ) as you get a true independent comparison and you can arrange the switchover via their website. It's far better than doing it through the cold-calling knock on the door just as you're about to get in the shower!
I am currently fighting with Npower... I was with them for three months, and got a bill for over £300 - I switched to another company straight away, but am still having trouble with Npower... I have written to them and phoned them with my own meter readings, and they still dispute the fact. They have now got a debt collection agency on to me.. but I am going to keep fighting.....
think u have to get watch dog program involed
i think come winter people who try to cut down on bills will be lighting candles to keep warm.
be more house fires n people freezing this yr.
need the old fashion cooking range burn logs n keeps house warm, n can cook on it,,, that the type of house they should build,,,,
I am v lucky and have got a log burner and it heats the whole house wonderfully ( not water tank or radiators tho + saves on oil- how expensive??) and am lucky that i am able to get a fairly lo-cost supply of wood for burning too. initial outlay is huge but will eventually recover the initial costs and havy a cosy fire for snuggling and falling asleep in front of!
Koo
I changed to e-on recently and have found them very good, I read my own meter once a month and just log on and enter it on the web site, my direct debit is automatically adjusted the following month. It doesn't make much difference, a pound or so either way, but it's a good habbit to get into. I hadn't read my meter for a year or so previously and ended up having to pay over £250, my own fault but it still stung.
I can't get mains gas for heating so have to use oil and am dreading the next refill, I have a wood stove for the winter which helps a bit but you do tend to just put another jumper on when you know it's going to cost you over £1,000 to fill the tank up.
H.x
Not sure if it'll help, but have you checked the Energy Saving Trust's website? We are currently investigating loft insulation for my parents. They have some good stuff on there.
i've got so pi**ed off with people knocking on my door to try to get me to swap to there gas / electricity etc, i now tell them when they ask to speak to the bill payer we dont pay for the gas / electricity bills now cos we frigged the meter so we get it we went out 10 mins later we drove past 5 of them at top of cul de sac having a debate at what i just told 2 of them lol.
lol when we came home from shops the other week, a man on our door step said to hubby,,, do u live here,,,, he replied no im the lodger but she does
n he pissed off in doors very please with himself,
left me to tell em to go away
:x :x
