Hi... Just come across your message so not sure if you have switched your provider by now.

Never rely on the "average bill" these providers provide as they are never reliable. Always use your old readings and see how much it would cost under a new energy company.

For Npower Gas - I had a shock as well when i moved to my property at the end of last year - because Npower has a different way to calculate their Tier 1 and Tier 2 rates compared to say Biritish Gas. Instead of say annual Tier 1 rates divided by 12 months, Npower allocates a significantly higher proportion of Tier 1 allowance in the winter months. So for low or medium users, almost all of their usage would be counted as Tier 1 which is more expensive (currently double the price of Tier 2).

So for gas usage, it's not simply how many units you have used, it's how many units Npower allocate your units to the more expensive Tier! When I received my first gas bill after 3 months (Dec to Feb), i was in shocked and not only i switched off my gas 99% of the time, I also switched my supplier too.

northernmonkeyz:[

The bill is totally confusing me.

I can understand that you are confused. I think I see what is going on but unfortunately you are in a bit of a bind.

First of all congratulations on showing evidence of customer readings, that's a good start. I "think" you are on NPower Go Save or other non-standing charge tariff. Unfortunately no longer a competitive tariff and not even competitive with current NPower online tariffs. It features a billing characteristic called "seasonal weighting" and that is the reason why your winter gas bill is so high. To be fair to NPower if you search their website you will find clear information about "seasonal weighting". Unfortunately I do not think it is reasonable for consumers to have to know that first. Note that standing charge tariffs do not feature "seasonal weighting" but usually have discounts deferred for 12 months.

Next time choose a online tariff using a Consumer Focus accredited website (and read and understand the small print). I suspect last time you were bounced by a doorstep or store salesperson. I can't say you have been mis-sold (only because I wasn't there) but the effect is the same.

How to get out of this is difficult to advise. Over a year the "seasonal weighting" will work itself out to 4572 "expensive" primary units so if you leave now you will lose that balancing. On the other hand you are no longer on a competitive tariff.

You need to do some sums using a Consumer Focus accredited website. You (and other reading this) may wish to reflect on a supplier that has subjected you to such an insidious "gotcha".

Post again if you have any questions.

Jalexa:

northernmonkeyz:

If you want help you really need to post more detailed information. For example the meter readings currently on the gas and electric meters, the readings stated on the most recent bill and the readings when you moved in (or the readings on the first bill). Also the name of the tariff as it appears on the bill. You need to be aware that some NPower tariffs feature a £100 plus rebate only paid after 12 months. This can serve to apparently inflate a bill.

You may not realise it but you mentioned previously living in "2-3 bed homes" but not the size and type of your current house. Only the size that NPower think it is.

There are lots of reasons for excessive bills, the meter being faulty is the least likely explanation, but bill error is not uncommon and inaccurate estimates quite common (in spite of the NPower protestations that the bill is based on actual readings). You need to satisfy yourself from the code letter against the bill readings and the readings currently on the meters that that is true. Don't take NPower's word for it.

Over to you.

Hi,

Thanks very much for your help with this.

The bill is totally confusing me.

Here are the things you asked for -

Elec
Charges for Tariff - Standard Meter / Monthly Direct Debit
_____________
01/10/09
4967
Estimate

15/10/09
5409
Actual

442 kWh
_____________
15/10/09
5409
Actual

07/04/10
7544
Customer reading

2135 kWh
_____________

07/04/10
7544
Customer reading

19/04/10
7676
Estimate

132 kWh


first 400 at 15.080p £60.32

next 2309 at 13.370p £308.71


______________________________________

Gas
Charges for Tariff - Standard Gas Meter / Monthly Direct Debit
_____________
05/10/09
3839
Actual

25/03/10
5222
Estimate

Calorific Value 39.100
1383 (cubic metres)
= 15361 kWh

first 3976 at 7.904p £314.26
next 11385 at 2.488p £283.26
_____________
25/03/10
5222
Estimate

07/04/10
5311
Customer reading

Calorific Value 39.200
89 (cubic metres)
= 991 kWh

07/04/10
5311
Customer reading

15/04/10
5339
Customer reading

Calorific Value 39.200
28 (cubic metres)
= 312 kWh

first 224 at 7.509p £16.82
next 1079 at 2.388p £25.77
________________________________________

Total inc VAT owed - £579.59 debit

I have checked and the missus remembers something about a £100 rebate.

The meter codes are all correct.

Regards,

Al

northernmonkeyz:

If you want help you really need to post more detailed information. For example the meter readings currently on the gas and electric meters, the readings stated on the most recent bill and the readings when you moved in (or the readings on the first bill). Also the name of the tariff as it appears on the bill. You need to be aware that some NPower tariffs feature a £100 plus rebate only paid after 12 months. This can serve to apparently inflate a bill.

You may not realise it but you mentioned previously living in "2-3 bed homes" but not the size and type of your current house. Only the size that NPower think it is.

There are lots of reasons for excessive bills, the meter being faulty is the least likely explanation, but bill error is not uncommon and inaccurate estimates quite common (in spite of the NPower protestations that the bill is based on actual readings). You need to satisfy yourself from the code letter against the bill readings and the readings currently on the meters that that is true. Don't take NPower's word for it.

Over to you.

Hopefully you took meter readings when you moved in so that the calculations can all be checked. It's worth taking a few more readings on different dates so that you can see when you are using more power and so that you know what to expect for the next bill.

You are looking at the winter usage on the last bill. It's quite likely that the usage for the rest of the year will get you downgraded to a medium house.

Hi all,
We moved into our new place about 6 months ago having lived in 2-3 bed homes for years and usually we pay around £300 towards our gas bill in 6 months over the winter (direct debit...about £49 per month) and get some back usually summertime due to overpaying.
We swapped to Npower when we moved in as it seemed like the best deal.
We have just had a new bill come in and on top of the £300 paid they say we owe another £400+.
I know we had one of the coldest winter on record but we are sensible and wear more layers so to avoid putting the heating on!
This has shocked me loads as I thought it would be in credit.
They same its calculated using readings not estimates.
The bill states that between 15/10/09 to 15/04/10 that we have used 16664 kWh.
The bill is really confusing.
I have read on a site that the averages are - Per annum....small house: 10,000 kWh; medium house: 20,500 kWh; and mansion: 28,000kWh.
This would take us into mansion and thats crazy!
Any help would be great as I have to ring them and need ammo!
Cheers,
Al