Electricity Bills skyrocketed

Brenireland

Yes, I am with Electric Ireland. Many thanks Hotblack Desiato for your help and advice and same to all who have given their time to reply and offer advice. All much appreciated. I have never received a bill like the above, so it was a shock particularly at this stage in the year, I just wanted some help so thank you all.

Gooser14

A lesson for everyone here is to check the bill on receipt to establish whether the readings are "estimated". If they are then actual readings should be submitted immediately.

Brenireland

Absolutely, hard hitting lesson.

A350-900

Storage heaters on a 24 tariff is madness.

Brenireland

I've only ever rented accommodation, so usually had electricity included in my rent, so when I was getting the bills the last 2 years I only ever read the bottom line and the sum to be paid. I am not smart or well versed in bills or plans, but I will request that he changes from the 24 hour tariff as bill is in his name. This bill has ended my Christmas 😅

Hotblack Desiato

There's no breakdown of how the "correction of previous readings" part was calculated, there really should be.

Gooser14

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122900398#Comment_122900398

Have you asked them whether they could accommodate a phased repayment plan over say 6 to 12 months. Nothing to be lost in asking.

Brenireland

No I haven't, but I will do so @Gooser14 it would be a big help, the picture above is what I received yesterday.

phormium

It's obviously a result of estimated bills compounded by the fact the storage heating is not set up correctly, when it's a rental surely the landlord should have the storage heating set up with a night rate meter? Worth questioning.

Hotblack Desiato

Was there a day and night meter installed before, OP? There should have been and that's on the landlord if there wasn't.

If there was a day/night meter before, and then when the smart meter went in you went onto a flat rate (24 hour) tariff then that's a mistake. EI should have put you on an equivalent plan on the smart meter.

10 weeks for a payment plan after landing a bill on you which is arguably their fault is some joke.

Brenireland

Thanks again for taking the time to message, Hotblack Desiato, I can't answer that as I'm not sure if there was a day/night meter in place before the smart meter but I will question that this afternoon. Yes 10 weeks at that rate is still very hard hitting, I honestly am baffled and so raging with this at this time of the year.

Lucan123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122901397#Comment_122901397

Current smart meters are not compatible with storage heaters. You could try the angle why was a smart meter installed in the first place when the heating is storage heaters - they are supposed to check. Smart meters are not able to tell the heaters when to come on and off, so it looks like yours are just stuck on 24/7

Brenireland

Yes, they have been on pretty much 24/7 for the last 3 months at 18.5°C

Gooser14

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122901114#Comment_122901114

Avoid the Pay-As-You-Go meter at all costs. I would suggest you go back to them & try to negotiate a longer pay back period of say 10 months.

Also have a read of the following:

https://www.cru.ie/consumer-information/billing/payment-difficulties/