Thank you for both replies.

I tried to negate the distorting effect of increasing activity within an appliance (such as a washing machine) by using the meter at night i.e. when all appliances should be off, but still the surges, typically between every 10 to 30 mins for several minutes at a time.

I agree that my rate may not be the best (on a quick check on the comparison websites I should be saving around £25 a month - but apparently now is not the best time to move), but I don't think it is simply a question of cost; based on my quarterly consumption I appear to be using over 4 times the national average - which may in part be down to my amusement arcade (just kidding!).

Hi SJW75

Well I am not going to say anything about BG, but at least you have taken some steps to identify the problem by purchasing an owl. I myself also have one of these devices and I have noticed that sometimes mine does also show a spike every now and again, the OWL from memory updates itself every 6 seconds so realistically, what it is showing is spikes as different appliances draw more electricity at one particular point.

Also I used to have my owl set on price per unit, which as you say you noted spikes as you seen the price increase, however, putting the unit into Kwh you get a feel for what is being used aswell. Dependent on your time of day, as you know you are with BG who only charge as No Standing Charge, as NSC, 33p could be 3 units use on your secondary rate. As you are charged, with BG, at 11p per Kwh (a unit on your meter) 3 units can simply be associated with your washing machine going onto a spin cycle.

Getting the owl is one thing, getting used to the readings it provides is another. For example, when I first purchased it, my sons, ( i live alone with my two sons aged 8 & 10) thought it was brilliant, but I was actually in the shower, dont panic not the website for the rest ! but my youngest came up and pulled the power cord effectively turning off the shower, he was holding the portable OWL display as it showed I was using 10Kwh (yes simple maths, its a 8.5 Kwh shower with rest normal lighting on) he said we were using too much...but at 10Kwh, yes this would have to be on for an hour alone, but at BG prices, that would be £1.10.

I began to get slight obsessive at first and ironically now know that my washing machine will use approximately 3-4 units for a full wash in total, however, when its gearing up for the last fast spin, the OWL will show the household power usage increasing, as more power is pulled through the meter to run the motor and spin, this then settles down after the spin cyle, but its the same with a dishwasher, tumble, etc. As I sit here now, typing this, with only lounge lamps on and tv, the owl is staring at me showing a display of 0.55Kwh this is half a unit, for you, with BG its 5p..

In essence you are correct that meters are always usually accurate, believe me, I have experience with a faulty meter ( and having read the other thread, imperial to metric is only with gas meters so please ignore that) if you have a faulty meter, you do notice it, as the readings tend to me way off, realistically you are looking at price. BG is reknown for being the most expensive supplier, and as you indicate you are with EDF for your local distribution, I would suggest you look at prices for the other competitors.

I am with ScottishPower for my gas & electricity on their online energy tariff, the beauty of this, its the only supplier to give you real time billing information. You enter your readings and they tell you there and then how much you have used. You also get to view a PDF version of your statement a couple of days later which you can either save or print off. The full T&C is that you have to enter your readings at least once every 90 days, but you can, if you wish, enter them on a weekly, monthly basis thus drilling down your usage.

Hope this helps....

That is a very high bill, my father lives in a very large 3 bed semi and works from home and his electricity bill is about £170 per quarter. There was a report on watchdog recently whereby people had an "Imperial Meter" fitted instead of a Metric Meter resulting in bills being ridiculously high like yours. They also highlighted power companies getting bills wrong for people on economy 7 whereby when a meter reading was taken, the cheap electricity (evening) was charged at the high rate (daytime) and vice versa.

It is clear there is something wrong with your bill or supply. As for power spikes, we have had them here and often so I called United Utilites (North West) and they did a meter check for free. I don't know what it is where you are but it is a freephone number for power cuts. It will also help if you can get a neighbour to complain about the spikes as well and there is no charge for a meter check.

Don't get me started with BG as I will probably get banned of the forum for being offensve! My advice is look on the BBC watchdog website too.

Good luck!!!!

My quarterly BG electricity bill (actual as opposed to estimated) for the period 16 Oct to 14 Jan 09 was £440.01 on the following tariff:

125kwh x 22.799p = £28.50

3721kwh x 11.059 = £411.51

This usage seemed excessive for a 3 bed semi, inhabited by 2 adults who are both at work 5 days a week. We have the standard electrical equipment but nothing out of the ordinary and are pretty good at turning off appliances at the mains / lights etc. The meter was replaced in August 2005 and electricity bills have always been high, but I initially put this down to builders having been on site for a period, although work concluded about a year ago.

I understand from other threads that meters are rarely faulty and with a £70 call out charge for BG to test the meter I opted to purchase the Owl energy meter to test whether it was possible to isolate a faulty appliance etc. The readings are somewhat surprising, showing a late night consumption typically of 4p to 6p per hour (normal I think when the house is effectively asleep), but then repeatedly spiking at 33p per hour for several minutes at a time every 10 to 20 minutes. Having switched off each isolator throughout the house I am still unable to id the source of the surge.

We have periodically experienced the dimming of lights in the property over the past couple of years (although not consistently), and the street recently experienced a power cut (with EDF carrying out the repair and advising that a power cable "had burst"). BG have been less than helpful. Does anyone have any thoughts / ideas?