OHbaby! Forums : High Power Bill https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:25:50 +0000 Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:15:11 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=40961 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[High Power Bill : perhaps have a look at your meter...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1408651&title=high-power-bill#1408651 Author: T_Rex
Subject: 40961
Posted: 17 November 2011 at 1:15pm

perhaps have a look at your meter now and see if its looking like its gone back to normal or if its still high - you can see how much you've used since it was last read. that way you dont have to wait a whole month to see if it was just a random one off thing.]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:15:11 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1408651&title=high-power-bill#1408651 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : That still seems really high,...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1408600&title=high-power-bill#1408600 Author: lisame
Subject: 40961
Posted: 17 November 2011 at 10:36am

That still seems really high, MamaT. Especially considering your bills used to be so low. Maybe something got damaged in the move?

Have you tried phoning the Nelson Environment Centre? They used to offer free energy efficiency advice, and I'm pretty sure they also loan out energy monitors, so you can plug your various appliances through it and see if you can work out which one's sucking up the power.

nec.org.nz,
phone 5459176]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:36:10 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1408600&title=high-power-bill#1408600 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : So glad you had that sorted....]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1408508&title=high-power-bill#1408508 Author: Kazper
Subject: 40961
Posted: 16 November 2011 at 10:57pm

So glad you had that sorted. Was wondering how that turned out.

Oil heaters are shockers to huh! We learned that the hard way a long time back and managed to invest in a small heat pump which only costs us 40 extra dollars a month on a normal power bill and keeps the place so much warmer. ]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:57:46 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1408508&title=high-power-bill#1408508 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Well, that really is a lot considering...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407578&title=high-power-bill#1407578 Author: Guest_65111
Subject: 40961
Posted: 14 November 2011 at 4:10pm

Well, that really is a lot considering that your average is just about 20% of your bill this month. You might want to check with the electric company should they commit an error with the reading. If not, you might want to have your appliances checked to determine the real cause. I think this probably would be caused by a heating appliance because they can really cost a lot.]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:10:42 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407578&title=high-power-bill#1407578 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Gosh! Before last xmas we got...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407391&title=high-power-bill#1407391 Author: MissAngel
Subject: 40961
Posted: 13 November 2011 at 10:25pm

Gosh! Before last xmas we got a $1500 power bill. I literally fell over when I opened it. Turned out that the meter reader hadnt been for months and they'd done super low estimates. We got off it however because they had a problem with that particular reader. Now Matt calls in the reading once a month. Our meters are inside. ]]> Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:25:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407391&title=high-power-bill#1407391 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Glad you got it sorted. We had...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407109&title=high-power-bill#1407109 Author: Hopes
Subject: 40961
Posted: 12 November 2011 at 2:04pm

Glad you got it sorted. We had something similar happen last year - I got a bill for about $450 one month - then the next, the bill was about $50, so I never did anything further, I figured they'd sorted it out.]]> Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:04:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407109&title=high-power-bill#1407109 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Glad you got it figured out! ]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407058&title=high-power-bill#1407058 Author: clover
Subject: 40961
Posted: 12 November 2011 at 9:57am

Glad you got it figured out!]]> Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:57:15 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407058&title=high-power-bill#1407058 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : MamaT glad you got it sorted. wiggly_jiggly...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407044&title=high-power-bill#1407044 Author: jazzy
Subject: 40961
Posted: 12 November 2011 at 8:18am

MamaT glad you got it sorted.

wiggly_jiggly we were with mercury & switched to contact, we might not save that much more but get flybuys & 22% discount off for prompt payment. I budget $100 a fortnight for power & when the bill comes in with the discount it is under $200.]]> Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:18:53 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407044&title=high-power-bill#1407044 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : MamaT wrote:I rang Genesis...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407035&title=high-power-bill#1407035 Author: EmDee
Subject: 40961
Posted: 12 November 2011 at 6:48am

Originally posted by MamaT MamaT wrote:

I rang Genesis again today and got a really helpful lady. Turns out they had made an error on the last read statement and therefore the next estimate was also out, so it all got accumulated into this bill, if that makes sense.
They are setting up an easy pay system where I pay $55 a week to cover that bill and our regular power, so that is awesome. I was really impressed with the customer service I got today actually.


I'm glad you got it figured out and that you got someone who could help!]]> Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:48:32 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407035&title=high-power-bill#1407035 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : I rang Genesis again today and...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407027&title=high-power-bill#1407027 Author: MamaT
Subject: 40961
Posted: 11 November 2011 at 11:36pm

I rang Genesis again today and got a really helpful lady. Turns out they had made an error on the last read statement and therefore the next estimate was also out, so it all got accumulated into this bill, if that makes sense.
They are setting up an easy pay system where I pay $55 a week to cover that bill and our regular power, so that is awesome. I was really impressed with the customer service I got today actually.
It definately isn't the hot water, I double checked with my dad and the Genesis woman, it was the power that was high, not the hot water portion. Also, DH noticed the seal on the freezer door is looking pretty bad, so we probably need to get that sorted too.
We dont have Oil heaters or a clothes dryer. I never use hot water in the washing. We are pretty energy conscious. ]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:36:47 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407027&title=high-power-bill#1407027 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : We had a lot of trouble with this...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407022&title=high-power-bill#1407022 Author: snugglebug
Subject: 40961
Posted: 11 November 2011 at 10:42pm

We had a lot of trouble with this same problem this winter.

It seems that power has just gone up so that accounts for some of it, but not all of it for sure.

We were advised to first turn all appliances off overnight, do a meter reading when we went to bed then read again when we got up. If a lot of units had been used in that time, that meant it was the hot water cylinder.

We also were advised to put timers on our oil heaters, which did make a huge difference.

It seems for us, that it must have been using the dryer and oil heater, as by process of elimination and cutting things down I have come to that conclusion.

We were with mercury and our highest bill was $420 this winter which was an absolute shock, as our highest bill ever before that was only $180. This is our first year with a baby though and so heating and dryer use did go up as well as hot water use, but it was a shock that it was supposedly that much.

My advice: ask to pay off that big bill. I made an arrangement with the power company when we got the $420 one as we just couldn't afford it.

We switched to Contact after checking the consumer site, and although it's not that much cheaper really they have this thing called smoothpay which allows you to pay an agreed amount per week, then it is reviewed every 4 months, idea being the highs and lows will even out with the cost you pay each week. This has helped us to afford our power bills massively.

I too was convinced that something had to be wrong, but our use did steadily drop once I made some changes. You can also buy devices from the warehouse which test how much power each appliance uses, its possible its something within your house.

If worried definitely get an electrician to come. I know how stressful this is! Sorry its happened to you

ETA I was told by Mercury that hot water accounts for a massive part of your power bill so maybe you could look at what's going on there, more washing? Appliances that use water maybe there's a leak or problem?

Edited by wiggly_jiggly]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:42:50 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1407022&title=high-power-bill#1407022 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : our power bill was huge big month...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406947&title=high-power-bill#1406947 Author: chickadeedoo
Subject: 40961
Posted: 11 November 2011 at 7:11pm

our power bill was huge big month at $350..and we are with Meridian on a 2 yr fixed contract.. maybe look at consumer page and see if they say you are on with a high $$ company for power.]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:11:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406947&title=high-power-bill#1406947 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Wow, that is high. I would get...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406906&title=high-power-bill#1406906 Author: fattykat
Subject: 40961
Posted: 11 November 2011 at 3:55pm

Wow, that is high.

I would get a Electrician round to have a look as it is a huge jump in one month.

Here is link to approximate running costs of household items but it sounds like your not doing anything different so I imagine its not going to be much help

Linky Link]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:55:55 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406906&title=high-power-bill#1406906 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : That is incredibly high especially...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406899&title=high-power-bill#1406899 Author: Flossie
Subject: 40961
Posted: 11 November 2011 at 3:22pm

That is incredibly high especially as we are going in to summer!!!

I would definantly get an electrician in to have a look - good luck!

We had a similar experience when renting but with water and it turns out we had a leak under the house - but a very nasty surprise when you get the bill!

 

]]> Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:22:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406899&title=high-power-bill#1406899 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Our anytime meter is generally...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406739&title=high-power-bill#1406739 Author: MamaT
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 8:59pm

Our anytime meter is generally around 200-400units/month.
First thing I did when I got the bill was to check it against the meter board and yep, it is now slightly higher, so no human error (damn it all).
Will ring around some electricians in the morning then I think.

Mummydee - there is probably only so much the call centre people can do to help though really I guess. Not their fault. We are pretty energy conscious, as in turn the jug and toaster, oven etc etc off at the wall when not in use, so really there probably isn't a lot they can suggest that we don't already do and have done for years.

Thanks for the advice and tips ladies.]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:59:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406739&title=high-power-bill#1406739 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : I work for Genesis - though I...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406731&title=high-power-bill#1406731 Author: EmDee
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 8:46pm

I work for Genesis - though I haven't worked in the call centre for about 7 years. Sorry for the not very helpful people you've got so far

238 units doesn't seem too bad for your hot water
(controlled meter), but 1700 units seems huge for your other (anytime meter) for that period of time. Can you look back at previous bills to get a feel for what your consumption has been like in the past?

Can you check your meter and what the reading currently is? It should be a little bit higher now than what is on the bill (just in case it is an error in the reading).

The only real way to find out where power is being used is to get an audit done by an electrician. Though definitely talk to your Dad first, he'll probably have some ideas. And yeah I would assume that if your meters have been read regularly and relatively stable (given normal flucuations for weather etc) it does seem unusual.]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:46:53 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406731&title=high-power-bill#1406731 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : My Dad is a plumber so I might...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406725&title=high-power-bill#1406725 Author: MamaT
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 8:37pm

My Dad is a plumber so I might ring him tomorrow and see if he can talk me through looking at certain things. But, if we had only just moved here I could understand that something weird was wrong, we've been here 6 months though, so anything like that should have been picked up a while ago shouldn't it?

I wonder if it is worth getting an electrician to take a look at all?? Or is that likely to cost a huge amount in itself? Can't hurt to ring someone though I guess ]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:37:20 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406725&title=high-power-bill#1406725 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Hi MamaT, get a plumber around...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406716&title=high-power-bill#1406716 Author: AbzandH
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 8:21pm

Hi MamaT, get a plumber around to check all the plumbing, we bought our house back in March, ended up with a leak through the ceiling from the hot water overflow tank. When the plumber came around, he discovered that the last owners had plumbed everything themselves, illegally and on top of that had hooked it up so that everytime the cold water was turned on, it automatically switched the hot water cylinder on to reheat.... How does that even work??? PLUS no insulation around what was supposed to be copper pipes. Our bills have dropped by at least a third.

Hope this makes sense and good luck, nothing like a good power bill before xmas to make you want to cry! x]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:21:37 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406716&title=high-power-bill#1406716 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Oh, and our meter gets read alternate...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406710&title=high-power-bill#1406710 Author: MamaT
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 8:09pm

Oh, and our meter gets read alternate months.
And they are digital meters, so I can't just tell if it's still ticking over, like at our old place.


Edited by MamaT]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:09:56 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406710&title=high-power-bill#1406710 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : The bill prior was an estimate,...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406709&title=high-power-bill#1406709 Author: MamaT
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 8:09pm

The bill prior was an estimate, it was underestimated, but not by much, about $30 worth.

We have a heat pump, but haven't used that for ages now, it's been pretty warm down here.
We have two meter thingys, one I think is for the hot water and one for power, does that make sense? If it is the hot water cylinder would that mean the hot water meter should be really high? Or would they both be? Or just the electricity? Our hot water is 238 units for the month, but the electricity is 1700 units.

I do bake, but usually one one or two things once a week, for instance I'll do muffins and cookies, but one after the other, so I'm not heating the oven twice.

We're with Genesis and TBH the girls I've spoken to there are useless with suggestions, just telling me to turn things off when we're not using them and to limit hot water and heating. Not very helpful at all.]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:09:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406709&title=high-power-bill#1406709 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : clover wrote:Oh, your last...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406694&title=high-power-bill#1406694 Author: EmDee
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 7:45pm

Originally posted by clover clover wrote:

Oh, your last bill wasn't a really low estimate reading was it?


And has your meter been getting physically read regularly? If it's been estimated too low a few times in a row it can make an actual reading seem really high. Can you check the readings on your meter? Meter readers are human and can someimes make mistakes too.

What MrsEmma suggested is a good idea too. Sometimes there can be something drawing power that you don't realise.

Also talk to your power retailer about it, a good CSR can talk you through things to look at and they should let you pay it off if it is too much to pay at once. ]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:45:33 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406694&title=high-power-bill#1406694 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : I&#039;d get the hot water cylinder...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406693&title=high-power-bill#1406693 Author: kebakat
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 7:41pm

I'd get the hot water cylinder checked]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:41:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406693&title=high-power-bill#1406693 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Wow, that is a lot. What heating...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406690&title=high-power-bill#1406690 Author: clover
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 7:32pm

Wow, that is a lot.

What heating (if any now) do you use? Do you run a lot of baths? Do you do a lot of baking or long cook meals in the oven?

Those are the only things I can think of that genuinely use a lot of power. Otherwise I'd have to think there is a problem somewhere.

Oh, your last bill wasn't a really low estimate reading was it?

Edited by clover]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:32:18 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406690&title=high-power-bill#1406690 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Could there be a hot water leak...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406686&title=high-power-bill#1406686 Author: MrsEmma
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 7:14pm

Could there be a hot water leak under the house? I've heard of people turning everything electrical off and going outside and standing by your meter to see if it's still ticking over.

Jeepers that's a big bill, I hope you get it sorted ASAP, definitely not something you need to be stressed about at the moment

Edited by MrsEmma]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:14:04 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406686&title=high-power-bill#1406686 <![CDATA[High Power Bill : Im wondering if anyone had any...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406681&title=high-power-bill#1406681 Author: MamaT
Subject: 40961
Posted: 10 November 2011 at 7:07pm

Im wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me to look at what is causing this.
I opened our bill today and it was $550 for 29 days. Our bills are usually about $120-160, and before moving to Nelson we were paying $80 a month max. Oh and that is for DH, I and DS.

We haven't changed anything regarding our power usage in the last month, no new appliances. We turn everything off at the wall when not in use, no heaters or air con, nothing. I just can't seem to figure it out and it has me really stressed.]]> Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:07:32 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40961&PID=1406681&title=high-power-bill#1406681