Voltex

She has a bath. So thanks for all ideas. Have passed them on. I can do no more

If Voltex was so marvellous it would have been tried and tested in this country and we would all be told it is a "must have".

Re your neighbour's bills perhaps she should get a smart meter fitted by her company and provided she spent the time she could work out which gadget or gadgets are using such a high amount of electricity.

As to Voltex, the only way you can reduce your electricity consumption is by using less electricity. There is no form of technology that can reduce your consumption without also cutting supply. So either it reduces the voltage of the power coming in, which will mean dim lights, appliances not working or it turns ot off completely when you use beyond a certain amount.

There is no scientifc rationale behind reducing the amount consumed without reducing use.

There is no way Voltex cannot be a scam.

She cannot have it both ways. If her bills are excessively high, and they certainly sound it, she is going to have to get someone to help her and that will mean showing bills, talking about how appliances are used and also to consider improvements to the insulation of her home.

If she doesn't want to let anyone in the house to look and will not discuss her bills and how she uses equipment then she will just have to continue paying large bills. There is no alternative.

Assuming she will accept some help, she should contact her electricity supplier. Register on their vulnerable customers register and talk to them. The other place for help is Age UK (previously Age Concern). Here is a link the Age UK Fact Sheet on Heating and Energy [[https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/factsheets/fs1_help_with_heating_costs_fcs.pdf}}

I assume she does not use a computer so either print it out yourself and give it to her or ask your local Age Uk whether they can let you have a paper copy.

My personal suspicion is that she has an immersion heater that is on 24/7 and may not be properly insulated and that she has never changed her energy supplier and is paying the Standard Variable Rate, whch can lead to substantially higher bills.

User7777
Sometimes you have to accept that you just can’t help some people.
I have one such neighbour who goes on and on about her water bills. She knows how much mine are and wants to know why/ how hers are so much higher.
I point out her baths every day, using the washing machine for a few things that have only been worn once.
So far, no success. And then we’ll have the same conversation again when the bills come in. Hey ho ?

40 inch tv costs around £28 per year to run. So do not think this can be part of the high bill problem. Immersions heaters do eat up leccie. Does she have this on all of the time? Also, does she use electric fires - another guzzler. £300 per quarter does sound excessive. Assume she lives in an 'all'-electric' home (ie no gas). Still a lot, my combined gas/leccie, is around £50 per month (mainly leccie - but I do like and have lots of gadgets.)

As she has asked your advice about trying to do something about getting this down, perhaps she would be willing to allow you to give her further assistance in finding out the reasons behind such a high cost.

Thank you all for your help. I will give her phone numbers of electric companies. Dont know which one shes with. I did ask. Silence pervaded the air. I also will find CAB number for her and Age Concern. Thanks for your info on Voltex, which she asked about.

She ought to ask her electricity supplier to check her meter. £300 per quarter is excessive for one person.

Shes very private, and wouldn't let anyone go through papers. I am just a neighbour, I asked if it was an immersion tank or large TV which uses a lot. The only thing I could think of was her asking CAB.,which is private and confidential. I understand her reluctance to have people going through her documents. At least, If its CAB, its impartial

User7777
If she’s worried sick perhaps you could go through ( with her) everything she’s using and see where she could save.
Or, go through comparison websites with her to get a better deal.

Meryl Streep's. No my electricity bill is low, but someone I know, on a pension gets high Bill's. At least 300 pounds per quarter. I think their bill is excessive for one person. The person is worried sick, and I dont know how to help them

User7777
Your obviously concerned at your electricity consumption.
Are you being as careful as you can?

What's that saying? "If something looks too good to be true..."

If it's the gadget I keep seeing advertised, then the adverts originate in Lithuania. That doesn't inspire me with confidence, neither does the electricity box they show in the ad. I'm pretty sure something like that would be illegal here. It certainly looks dodgy.

If you believe an energy company would allow this legitimate ? product on the market then yes go ahead.
But think about it ?

Google it, you will find lots about this device, look on Money Saving Supermarket too, most say it’s a scam.