Really high electricity bill

[Corelli]

So I just got my bill for this month and it turns out Eskom thinks we've used 7000 kWh this month compared to last month's 1000 kWh. Does anyone have any idea how I can dispute this and get the correct meter readings?

If anyone can point me to the right place to get this solved, I'd appreciate it.

In Cape Town ESKOM they do it often. Sometimes they do estimates for upto a year, and then send you an actual bill.

So you may use R1500 pm but your bill reads estimate R800 pm for a year, then suddenly you get a bill of R8400 and if you dont pay, you will be disconnected.

 

[Corelli]

The problem is not your electricity is incorrect. Look how many previous months you got an Estimate and not an actual for.

All this means their estimates are low, even though you used more electricity than that.

What most now do since that happens, just pay more every month. So you dont get slapped with those lovely actual bills

 

[AchmatK]

We don't have all that. One big aircon, two geysers and a pool pump. But yeah think it's time to go prepaid sigh.

The problem is not your electricity is incorrect. Look how many previous months you got an Estimate and not an actual for.

All this means their estimates are low, even though you used more electricity than that.

What most now do since that happens, just pay more every month. So you dont get slapped with those lovely actual bills

This.

Check when last your hat an actual reading.

They could have been under estimating for 6 months and now it's finally caught up.

 

[RonSwanson]

Someone is running (secretly) a mining rig

That is some serious power use, must be massive aircons pool pumps multiple geysers etc.

Perhaps some underfloor heating and additional heating in winter.

Came here to say this.

 

[mugikhan]

Yeah, I'm going to sort out this bill and then go prepaid it seems to be the best way forward.

 

[wingnut771]

Yeah, I'm going to sort out this bill and then go prepaid it seems to be the best way forward.

Prepaid is not going to change the fact you're using 70kwh per day. Can you not look at your meter each day and log the usage? In durban, my meter is outside the kitchen window. Maybe you have a geyser that never switches off or something, or a squatter camp down the road stealing your power?

 

[Snyper564]

Prepaid is not going to change the fact you're using 70kwh per day. Can you not look at your meter each day and log the usage? In durban, my meter is outside the kitchen window. Maybe you have a geyser that never switches off or something, or a squatter camp down the road stealing your power?

I echo this
70kw prepaid will still be 70kw post paid. you actually scored as you paid the "actual" later but wont change the fact that its 70kw...

 

[LiPO]

70kw with a powerful pool pump, AC and 2 geysers is possible, just try and reduce the consumption.
Once you go prepaid I don’t think you can go back and the usage will be similar.

 

[AchmatK]

I echo this
70kw prepaid will still be 70kw post paid. you actually scored as you paid the "actual" later but wont change the fact that its 70kw...

Just checked his post and for 2 months they estimated and the third month they came and did an actual reading resulting in a daily average of 72kwh.

72kwh is high even by my standards with 6 adults and two kids.

Moving to prepaid is not going to change the daily consumption. He needs to look at what's he's got running that's consuming that much electricity in a day.

 

[Snyper564]

Just checked his post and for 2 months they estimated and the third month they came and did an actual reading resulting in a daily average of 72kwh.

72kwh is high even by my standards with 6 adults and two kids.

Moving to prepaid is not going to change the daily consumption. He needs to look at what's he's got running that's consuming that much electricity in a day.

your difference is sun power

 

[Johnatan56]

your difference is sun power

Erm, not really, AC is 2.5kW or less usually, pool pump like 2kW, that's probably permanent AC on with window/door open or something or it's not set to regulate and just be permanent cold/hot air.

 

[mugikhan]

Just checked his post and for 2 months they estimated and the third month they came and did an actual reading resulting in a daily average of 72kwh.

72kwh is high even by my standards with 6 adults and two kids.

Moving to prepaid is not going to change the daily consumption. He needs to look at what's he's got running that's consuming that much electricity in a day.

Yes, we are planning on doing solar as well. Just waiting for the roof to be fixed and then the bill should be reduced.

Does anyone here know the process to stop estimated readings after you have solar?

 

[Snyper564]

Erm, not really, AC is 2.5kW or less usually, pool pump like 2kW, that's probably permanent AC on with window/door open or something or it's not set to regulate and just be permanent cold/hot air.

@AchmatK is on solar that is what I was referring to.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Yes, we are planning on doing solar as well. Just waiting for the roof to be fixed and then the bill should be reduced.

Does anyone here know the process to stop estimated readings after you have solar?

If the meter is in your house (like some are in CPT), then send your electricity vendor (Eskom? Muni?) the current meter reading.

Rinse/repeat monthly.

 

[AxField]

Yes, we are planning on doing solar as well. Just waiting for the roof to be fixed and then the bill should be reduced.

Does anyone here know the process to stop estimated readings after you have solar?

If you have a mechanical meter and you plan on going solar, it might not be the best idea to go for prepaid. As others have said, have a look through your invoices for the last time they did an actual reading and then work out your actual monthly usage. If it does turn out you’re using 75kWh a day, then you‘ll need to get that sorted first.

 

[supersunbird]

Do you have physical access to the meter to see what it reads?

So, do you?

 

[mugikhan]

So, do you?

Yes I do, no idea how to read it though.

 

[wingnut771]

Yes I do, no idea how to read it though.

Is that even working?

 

[mugikhan]

Is that even working?

I don't know. There is nothing to press on it so I'm not sure

 

[PaulGherkin]

Welcome to the world of being a DIRECT ESKOM CUSTOMER dear OP.
Get some lube... it will get worse, not better.
My bills often are R10k, hell once they were R13k...
They don't read the meter for 10 months and then their estimations come undone and they hammer you.

They will also refuse to let you be prepaid....