This week my Word of the Week is: Bills! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

We have had a couple of the big bills this week and they actually weren't that bad. With all the talk on the news of all the bills going up I was slightly worried but it turns out I needn't have been and I am so grateful.

First came the council tax on Monday. I have been waiting for it as I am planning to do the same as I did last year, pay the first month now and the 2nd payment in April when the first one is due so we'll always be a month ahead. I just need the council to update their website with the new bills added. It turns out we're only paying an extra £3 a month for the next year, I expected it to be at least 10 or 15 pounds more.

Then on Tuesday our energy bill came through. Finally, I have been waiting a month for it as I was sure it was due in February. It wasn't as high as I expected, in fact it was only £40 more than this time last year which was a surprise with all the talk of bills going up and us using the oil heater. I guess all the nagging about turning things off has done a little good. I did notice they had estimated my gas part of the bill which seemed odd as that has always been accurate.

Just before the first lockdown, 3 years ago our Smart Meter stopped working. They obviously couldn't do anything and for a long while we were paying estimated bills for the electric because the website and the people on the phone could see we had a smart meter so the computers wouldn't accept us reading the meter ourselves. They changed something last year and I could do meter readings so we got accurate bills. The gas meter was still sending readings so thankfully that was always accurate. When everything started opening back up I rang them and they said they know there's a problem with the smart meter and will get back to us, I've rang every 6 months since and they said they will get back to us.

Anyway, back to the estimated gas bill. I went to check the gas meter and it wouldn't come on. I usually press the "A" button and numbers come up, there was nothing. Eek! I looked online and the last reading was took in December. I just assumed it was the energy company not taking the readings, they have been very sporadic when they take the readings in the past. I had a quick look on Google and it turns out gas meters run on batteries not mains power, you learn something new every day so I am assuming the battery has ran out as it only lasts about 10/15 years. I got onto the online chat with my energy company and they cancelled the bill until the issue is resolved and an engineer is coming out on Monday.

On Wednesday morning I woke up to a new bill being issued and still no confirmation of the engineer coming. The new bill was the same as the old one but I went back on the online chat to see what was going on and just for a bit of reassurance. Apparently the bill shouldn't have been cancelled because it is accurate, well it isn't as it's estimated but I am letting them get on with it. Apparently that bill stands and that is all we will be charged which is fine with me as it is a lot less than I expected.

Oh and according to the person on the online chat we're still not getting our old smart meter replaced. lol I will ask the engineer about getting a new one when he arrives on Monday. The energy companies make such a big deal about everyone having a smart meter and when we are begging for one they won't give us one. Madness!

How has your week been? I hope you've had a good one!