Electric/Gas meters

Greensprout

Hey all,

I've recently moved into a house and both the Gas and Electricity are on meters.

Can someone give me the pros and cons of metered and billed..

I really haven't a clue which is best for me.

espresso

I guess that you mean pre-payment meters compared to a credit meter where you receive a bill. Check out the actual prices with your supplier, because a pre-payment meter is more expensive!

Gerradene

plus side:
Being on prepay meters has made us more energy conscious, we try not to waste any.
We don't get bills

negative:
But, you have the hassle of going to the shop to buy the gas/electric.
Very annoying if it runs out (you do get some emergency supply though)
most places only take cash for top ups/ only do it before certain time at night.

If there was a way to top up remotely i.e. via internet/phone it would be so much easier.

HTH

purplemoon

A friend has gas on meter. I presume you cannot have the meters removed, but can you change supplier? I expect the answer is here somewhere already, but as its a recent thread thought I'd ask.

smiley_2

Hi greensprout, having a meter is the most expensive way of paying for gas and electric. They are always the most expensive tariffs. The cheapest tariffs are always payment by direct debit.

smiley_2

Hi purplemoon, you can have your pre payment meter removed but some companies charge for this.

Greensprout

smiley wrote:

Hi greensprout, having a meter is the most expensive way of paying for gas and electric. They are always the most expensive tariffs. The cheapest tariffs are always payment by direct debit.

What kind of price difference?
Just to give me some sort of idea.

I'm with NPower if that helps.

smartie1976

it really will depend on what tarrif NP charges for your prepayment meter vs which tarrif you go on if you chose to have a Credit (non-card) meter.

Npower Prices for Leeds area:
ELEC - CREDIT METER STANDARD
first 728 kWh per year 14.67p per kWh (includes VAT at 5%)
additional kWh per year 10.65p per kWh (includes VAT at 5%)

ELEC - PREPAYMENT STANDARD
10.65p per kWh, standing charge £ 13.52 per quarter (includes VAT at 5%)

GAS - CREDIT METER STANDARD
first 4,572 kWh per year 4.17p per kWh (includes VAT at 5%)
additional kWh 2.17p per kWh (includes VAT at 5%)

GAS - PREPAYMENT STANDARD
2.47p per kWh, standing charge £ 20.02 per quarter (includes VAT at 5%)

NP says they have a £60 yearly DUAL FUEL discount for paying direct debit (*VAT inclusive rates shown are indicative only and may not match bills exactly due to minor rounding errors. )


Electricity & gas prices valid from 10th March 2006. For gas, charges apply to sites served by Transco's network. Sites served by Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs) will be charged a premium which is the equivalent of £30 +VAT p.a. for average users.