Eon Problem! Any help?

[KeithM]

We live in a 4 bedroom house. Somehow the bill for gas has increased to £8,000 and electricity to over £1,000. Even E-on admit it seems very large. For example, with gas we only use it for heating (which is off 8/9 months of the year) and even when it is on, we use it only in the evening for a few hours. The oven is electric with a gas hob.

 

We asked E-on to check the meter which they have and they said they were fine and now they have installed pre-payment meters. I said our usage had gone down since the meter has been installed but they claim that it has increased. That said, even the figures they claim bear little relevance to the amount we are putting in to the meter.

 

The bills seemed to shoot up a few years back which coincided with a neighbour moving in 200 meters away (we live on a farm) and a building development at the back which was stopped before the houses were built but all the utilities were installed.

 

Even E-on say something is not right and suggested maybe a crack in the pipe underground somewhere. They told me to get someone in to check but I am on Job Seekers Allowance and can not afford to do so.

 

Has anyone got any ideas as to what my next step should be?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

K.

[Feebee_71]

Surely, if there was a leak in a pipe, it would not register on your meter (unless it was leaking out after your meter) as it wouldn't be coming into your property.

 

Feebee_71

[KeithM]

Yes, I thought that but that is what they said. Have you got any other thoughts?

[dx100uk]

so the supposed crack is on your land?

 

this seen mighty strange to me

 

SOMETHING is not right here.

 

IMHO i would get ofgas involved.

 

dx

[Feebee_71]

Might sound strange to suggest this during this current cold spell but, to try and minimise the bills rising even higher, turn your thermostat down by 2c and then, every couple of days by another 1c. Any rooms that you don't use regularly you should turn the radiator off and only put them back on when needed (kitchens are a good example of this).

 

Keep a regular reading of your meter - perhaps buy a little notebook and write it down the same day each week and make a comment about the weather (you're more likely to turn the heating off it the weather picks up so should show a change in usage).

 

Finally, get hold of all your part bills, in through them and see if you can pinpoint when the figures suddenly jumped which will show when the problem developed - can you remember if there was work happening around the same time that could have damaged your supply.

 

I still can't see how they can charge you for a leak from a cracked pipe that is before they record your supply going through your meter - does the meter number tally between your property and the bills? Was there a period of time when they were basing your bills only on estimated readings and you were paying a low monthly DD fee leaving a huge amount owing once they billed correctly (especially if this happened when bills jumped in price!!)

 

All only my musings, hope you get some answers soon,

 

Feebee_71

[mooshy]

Hi

Not sure if this will help but apparently you can ask Eon to fit another thing called a meter checker and that will check that the new and old reader marry up and in fact that your meter is working correctly ?

8000 is too much.

if your on job seekers allowance you will be entitled to free legal aid, either throu a private solicitor or thro maybe your household contents or buildings insurance.

I would get a free appointmant with a solicitor and maybe a formal letter may encourage eon to look at it more personally.

[E.ON Company Rep: Helena]

Afternoon KeithM,

 

Agree with the comments about the pipes. Is there any chance of a gas leak after the meter?

 

I think the place to start with this is the consumption department, they are specialists in energy usage.

 

Is it £8000 for a year, what's the amount of kWh used and how does this compare to previous years usage. They will be able to help you with this.

 

If the meter has been removed they won't be able to check this now, I understand the first check all came back ok.

 

Have you been taking regular readings, did you do this with the old meter.

 

Give us a call and ask for the consumption department and I hope you do get to the bottom of this.

 

Helena

[dx100uk]

sri forgot we had a rep...dx