norfolksybil:

...you are not alone...

I'm sorry that you are having to face up to winter with your "EDF" problems but at least you will have your woodburner.

It's a pity that this thread's OP hasn't come back because posts are an opportunity for others to learn. A two way street.

Indeed you are "not alone". There is a common thread to posts about this type of problem. There is mention of DD's set when switched, subsequently increased DDs, alarming account deficits appearing from "nowhere", often suspicion of meter inaccuracy, but usually never any mention of meter readings, though unchallenged meter readings are legally "proof positive" of consumption.

Meter error is not "impossible" but is extremely unlikely. The last thing which should be looked for. There are other more likely reasons such as account registration error, billing error, or inaccurate estimates. Using too much electricity cannot be excluded either, but the key to any investigation is the meter reading.

Get a handle on your consumption by taking daily readings for a week, then weekly readings for a month. Always check that the readings on any bills, whether estimated or actual, are about right. Check that your meter serial number agrees with the meter serial number stated on the bill.

My advice may seem harsh but I mean to be helpful, if not to the poster then to others who recognise the circumstances.

Dunno if this is much help, but a) you are not alone and b) check the ****ards meter is correct - at least there's an odd comfort in knowing you are actually using (and presumably benefitting from) the electricity.

a) we were 'doorstepped' into switching to EDF from Eon about 15 months ago and after 6 months, and at their suggestion, went DD at £95 pm (two bed cottage, no gas but some woodburner rads). At the 6 month review they said we should up the DD to £144 to keep pace AND pay a £1200 underpayment!!

Now, Novenber, two months later we are told it should be £205pm to keep pace plus we still have the £1200 to argue over. We are massively in 'fuel poverty' (electricity 20% of annual income) with a disposable income of £14 a week over ex's - but EDF energy trust has turned down our application for assistance (so, just who does qualify for a grant then?) and I'm worried to the point of illness about the coming winter.


b) a friend is lending us an 'Owl Meter' to check consumption against the EDF meter.

Oh, and btw, I hear they've sold out to the Chinese, effective end of 2010...

S.

Ruthlessflower:

...We can't even read the meters as its kept in a locked cupboard and we're not allowed the key...

Reassurance? Unfortunately not, you are the authors of your own misfortune, however if you accept that there is probably help to be had.

You need to explain further why you have failed to solve the meter access problem for over a year because that, and taking "ownership" of your energy use and account, is the key to accurate billing.

And why do you think "cutting strings with EDF" will help? There may well be suppliers with better customer service ratings and there are probably cheaper tariffs which you could have been on for a year (what do you mean by EDF "placed the flat on the standard tariff"?) but switching would leave you liable to settle the whole EDF debit balance with a single payment rather than by monthly terms. And anyway EDF may not allow a customer with a debit balance to leave.

Sort out the meter access, post a few readings from your bills and it may be possible to see if there is anything wrong.

I could use some advice or just reassurance right now.

Moved into my wonderful flat a year ago during the summer, unfortunately its an all electricity flat which we knew would cost, especially during the winter. EDF had placed the flat on the standard tariff, but we were told we would pay only £45 a month, and then be reviewed after a year. In January they said we owed them £240 but admitted the system wasn't able to make a proper calculation as the spending was only based on the 6 months we'd lived there. So they cancelled that bill and said to wait till June/July.

July came, we now owed them £480 and they wanted to take it by direct debit in one massive chunk. We couldn't pay this, nor could we understand how they'd let it build to such an amount without forewarning us. My partner eventually agreed to pay £33 of the debt every month on top of the new charges, which is now £75 a month. £103 a month is now spent on electricity alone and I really can't believe we're running up that much. They said they would review in another 6 months and see if the monthly charge would need to be increased.

A week ago, the bill came and another £333 has been added to it!! We can't even read the meters as its kept in a locked cupboard and we're not allowed the key. I'm ready to cut strings with EDF but surely not everyone pays this much? It's only a 2 bed flat and most of the appliances are turned off from the plug. No one is home during the day, and at night its only the tv/computer on. Now its colder, we're dreading using the heating and its freezing inside. Please help.