im just trying to be green

[classic33]

I knew someone with a similar low usage, who got fed up of the veiled accusations made. So he invited them to come and check for themselves, on the understanding an apology would be given when he was proved to have done nothing wrong.
He also invited the local press.
The assumption is made that every house has a minimum of electrical equipment, fall beloww the usage for this minimum & you're flagged on the system.

 

[summerdays]

After seeing a piece on the TV about the number of gas explosions after people tampered with their meters I have a bit of sympathy with the companies.

 

[postman]

So do they write to people who use vast amounts of electricity to grow drugs,or is it ok to rack up a massive bill.As long as you pay on time.

 

[ASC1951]

So do they write to people who use vast amounts of electricity to grow drugs,or is it ok to rack up a massive bill.As long as you pay on time.

I once represented a bloke who tampered with his meter so enthusiastically that the reading was lower than the one when the previous occupier left. TBH I couldn't think of a lot to say.

 

[Beebo]

So do they write to people who use vast amounts of electricity to grow drugs,or is it ok to rack up a massive bill.As long as you pay on time.

You dont think the people that grow drugs actually pay for their own electricty do you?
I've seen lots of house fires in cannabis factories caused by dodgy wiring.

 

[ASC1951]

OK. But do they write to people with suspiciously massive bills, as they do to low users?

I'm sure they tip off Plod. But what cannabis grower is going to draw attention by running up a massive bill, as opposed to bypassing the meter?

 

[Haitch]

OK. But do they write to people with suspiciously massive bills, as they do to low users?

Happens quite often in Holland. If the bill is unusually big the energy suppliers tip off the police.

 

[DougieAB]

@stuee147 surely they realise that it's near tropical temperatures in Midlothian almost all the year round.

 

[stuee147]

i was really surprised at the letter i do understand that most people have loads of electrical gadgets and use a lot of power and that im in the minority, but the way the letter sounded and when i spoke to them on the phone i felt like they were not happy with the fact that someone can use so little without bypassing the meter. they never said "we think you are bypassing the meter" they just hinted that thats what they were thinking. like i said to them they are welcome to come round anytime day or night and have a look the meter is outside so they dont even need to let me know they have been.
i would like to add at this point im no green eco machine its more the way i was brought up. iv never been one for possessions or anything infact everything i own apart from my bike lol will fit nicely into 2 rucksacks and for me thats a lot iv only ever had one rucksack untill the last couple of years and iv sort of acquired more junk lol

and @DougieAB the last few days have been nice up here but i think the summers been and gone now what a horrid day its been today

 

[fossyant]

Good on you anyway. My leccie is like about £70 a month, and gas £40. But if you don't need the crap, then you don't. We use about £120 a year of leccy at the caravan, so it is do-able, and that's with a fridge/freezer on all season.

Hair dryers, the orrible clothes dryer eats up the leccy use - but a family of 4 it's difficult.

We are using desktop computers lots less, so that's 300w machine only turned on once a week !!!

 

[swansonj]

I once delivered some training (about something else) to a guy whose previous job had been detecting electricity fraud for an Area Board. So naturally I picked his brains. Believe me, there are multiple ways of doing it, and only some involve anything as obvious as dirty great big cables connected to the incoming power supply.

 

[Arch]

Bloody well done Stuee!

 

[stuee147]

Good on you anyway. My leccie is like about £70 a month, and gas £40. But if you don't need the crap, then you don't. We use about £120 a year of leccy at the caravan, so it is do-able, and that's with a fridge/freezer on all season.

Hair dryers, the orrible clothes dryer eats up the leccy use - but a family of 4 it's difficult.

We are using desktop computers lots less, so that's 300w machine only turned on once a week !!!

a few years ago when i had a caravan i fitted solar cells to the roof and they used to keep the battery's well charged i never had to worry about the power there was always more than enough. all i ever had to pay out for was gas and i used to run my fridge on the gas most of the time i found it quite cheap about £25 a month for a new gas bottle, but then again like i have said before i live alone so its a lot easier to keep my usage down. i know its hard to do the same with a family, my kids were a nightmare for wanting every light on lol

 

[Lanzecki]

Happens quite often in Holland. If the bill is unusually big the energy suppliers tip off the police.

Holland? Phew

 

[Peteaud]

This post has made me and Mrs Aud think about household costs.