Gas/electric help, please!

Pipkin

Hi

We have just moved back to the UK after some years living abroad and I have just been trying to sort out our Gas and Electric suppliers.

Stupidly (knowing nothing) I just opted for the same suppliers who had been used by the previous occupant, which means I signed on today for :

Scottish power for my electricity (with a monthly DD of 55 pounds)

and

Scottish Gas/British Gas for my Gas (obviously ) (with a monthly DD of 62 pounds - they wanted me to pay 79!)

SG/BG offerred me the fixed price until 2011, which I took.

Reading here I am not sure I have done the right thing as I see this means I am paying much more for my fuel, though I am seemingly protected against potential hikes.

I know I should have done some research before signing for anything, so please don't shout at me, I feel daft enough as it is (I still have my cooling off period, I literally only phoned them both today), but I would appreciate any advice anyone has?

We seem to generally have very high fuel consumption (2 adults, 2 teenagers in the house, one income), though I am trying to fix this.

I don't want to pay massively over the odds, but I do like to be protected against any nasty surprise bills and so am willing to do this to an extent in order to be relatively sure of where I stand with things.

Hence I feel torn both ways about the British/scottish gas offer and would appreciate your advice.

Ta very much in advance!

Magentasue

I would shop around a bit. Dual fuel (both from same company tends to be cheaper. Use one of the price comparison sites and see what you come up with.

We are a family of six (four adults, two teens) and high users, I think. We pay £135 a month for gas and elec (gas heating and cooking, 3 bed house).