Atlantic Energy & Gas

UKNorthEast

After being with Atlantic Energy and Gas for the previous 3 years paying the same amount by monthly direct debit, I got a suprise when I recieved my latest statement.

Over the previous 3 years our account has been like most - obviously higher usage in the winter resulting in higher bills which have in turn being counteracted by much lower usage in the summer reducing the winter bill to zero and in last years case a slight credit.

This is where the problem starts - in the latest bill, which follows a harsh winter, they claim we are £100 in debit to them in both Gas and Electric. This in turn is fair enough, as like I say, we've had a harsh winter and usage has been higher. However, they claim that in order to reduce this amount they need to DOUBLE our direct debit.

I spoke to them and queried this discussing what I have posted above, as well as the well publicised price cuts, and they then offered a slightly lower price increase of and extra £40 a month (dual fuel).

Now, Im still not happy about this at all and after speaking to others, they are paying much less with other suppliers who have taken into account the winter/summer usage rates before calculating a price increase.

My main question is, is it possible to switch supplier at this moment in time? Naturally, im aware that the amount would need repaying but is there anything to stop me switching supplier i.e. Atlantic cut off my supply for example?

Many thanks for any comments!

UKNorthEast

Bumpitty bump bump

Any advice?

espresso

UKNorthEast wrote: »

After being with Atlantic Energy and Gas for the previous 3 years paying the same amount by monthly direct debit, I got a suprise when I recieved my latest statement...............

Why were you surprised?

You have meters that you can read to check your actual daily, weekly, monthly consumption. You should know how much each kWh costs, so you can very easily work out if your DD is actually covering your usage.

Why is it your suppliers fault? Pay what you owe and switch if that's what you really want to do. What others pay is irrelevant, it's what they consume that's important. Atlantic's prices dropped on the 31st March 2009.

Magentasue

There is nothing to stop you switching so long as you clear the balance on your account. You won't be disconnected - the worst that can happen is that the switch is delayed if there is a debt on the account.

Your DD has increased to clear the debt and pay for current use. If you would like a lower DD, clear the outstanding balance and work out your annual use in kwh Then calculate annual cost, divide by 12 and ask for your DD to be set at this amount.