Want to switch, don't feel in control - HELP, Gas and elec.

rossyl

Hi,

Currently on:

gas - British Gas: Click Energy 6.
elec - Eon - Electricity online Saver 10.

Usage.
Only been living there since 1 Novemebr 08.

Gas - 102 units
Elec - 304 units

I want to know that i'm paying the right amount each month. The whole direct debit thing doesn't make much sense to me. I want to pay depending on what i've used. So maybe give meter readings each time? Who is best to switch to?

Thanks,
Ross

Magentasue

To work out who will bw cheapest, you need figures for a year - even though you have two months, you can't just x by 6, because these are probably more expensive months. You could make a guess based on what you predict you'll use annually and then try the comparison sites. For gas, multiply the units by 11 for a metric meter and by 31 if it's imperial to get kwh. 304 elec unit = 304 kwh.

As for fixed DD, the idea is that your annual bill is divided by 12 for monthly payments. So, for £1200 annual you pay £100 a month. Now during spring and summer, you may only be using £60 a month and so, after six months, you be £240 in credit. Then over the winter when you're using well over £100 a month, the credit will be there to pay the difference. You usually get a discount for paying this way that more than covers any interest you may have earned from having the credit balance in their account, not yours.

If you want to pay for energy as it's used, ask for quarterly billing - that way you pay less in the summer (usually) and more in the winter.

ali_p_4

I thought i had sorted my problem over figures with scottish power. I have been through my last 12 months bills with usage. My confimation letter has come through regarding my direct debit and is virtually double what i was quoted. I have queried it with them and the figure i was given was only for electricity. but the new figure i have received of £200 per month means £2400 over the year, my last years spend was £1200. I know prices have gone up but i haven't had a washing machine for 6 months and don't hardly use my dishwasher now switch things off at wall at night instead of standby.In general reduced my energy consumption, so in theory that should even out a bit. Something just doesn't add up.

Magentasue

ali_p wrote: »

I thought i had sorted my problem over figures with scottish power. I have been through my last 12 months bills with usage. £200 per month means £2400 over the year, my last years spend was £1200. Something just doesn't add up.

You need to find two actual meter readings a year apart and calculate how many kwh of gas and electricity you use over a year. With those figures and the costs of your tariff (cost/s per kwh, any standing charge), you can work out your annual bill if prices stay the same. I always work out without VAT, duel fuel and DD discounts and it's accurate enough.

ali_p_4

That's what i have done and where my figures come from. The period just gone i also checked useage against the same period last year it was a lot less this year than last, even though it has been colder and i have been in home more in the daytimethrough different jobs. Something doesn't tally.

Magentasue

ali_p wrote: »

That's what i have done and where my figures come from. The period just gone i also checked useage against the same period last year it was a lot less this year than last, even though it has been colder and i have been in home more in the daytimethrough different jobs. Something doesn't tally.

Oh, right, so how many kwh of gas and elec have you used over the last year and how much do you pay per kwh?