low income/disability tariffs

sundries

Im with Npower for electricity and British Gas for gas.

I think BG was capped on some essentials tariff until this spring. my latest bill has come to over £300 wheras before it was about £180 for the same period.
Npower bills have rocketed to £400
- this is one bedroom ground floor flat. no tv, energy saving lightbulbs, gas central heating, energy efficient fridge freezer, bath so no shower, no washing machine (use laundrette). I basically live in one room and my main energy use is a laptop - which i do have on almost constantly.

I just dont understand the bills. Ive phoned up to query but they say it wasnt estimate it was actual meter reading.

I also dont know how to do a price comparison because the price comparison sites dont take into account 'social' tariffs.

Joyful

If you were on the BG Essentials you will still be on it. It has now changed though so you can compare it as per theWebsaver 3 tariff. Your bills especially Electric seem high. Did you have estimates before this last bill? How many KWH are you using each day?

1carminestocky

If you are on npower's standard tariff for electricity then you are probably paying way to much! Get your total annual consumption (ring npower and ask them for this they are legally obligated to provide it) then pop back on here with the details and we'll have a look at the best option for you.

kippen_noedel

nPower have some good rates for their online tariffs as well

in general, it seems BG are consistently cheaper on like for like tariffs for electricity, so also look at swapping suppliers around.

all that means is check all your options.

savemoney

If I was you I wonder monitor you usage and tell you provider regularly say every month this is what I do and I am with BG in fact I will be doing a reading tomorrow

Why not take a reading now post it here and do same in a couple of days

1carminestocky

kippen_noedel wrote: »

nPower have some good rates for their online tariffs as well

in general, it seems BG are consistently cheaper on like for like tariffs for electricity, so also look at swapping suppliers around.

all that means is check all your options.

With one big disadvantage, kn. Any idea what it is?

kippen_noedel

1carminestocky wrote: »

With one big disadvantage, kn. Any idea what it is?

yes, yes, I know

however my approach is also look at the most convenient way for a person to reduce their outlay on energy. some people don't like changing suppliers.

1carminestocky

kippen_noedel wrote: »

yes, yes, I know

however my approach is also look at the most convenient way for a person to reduce their outlay on energy. some people don't like changing suppliers.

But this is a money saving site so people should be advised to be able to switch to a better deal at any time, surely? The introduction of exit fees (let's be honest, npower's annual discount is one by another name) on variable tariffs is IMO anti-competitive. I accept for people signing up to fixed/capped tariffs there is some justification for exit fees but these 'variable tariffs with exit fees' punters are potentially being taken for a ride.

kippen_noedel

1carminestocky wrote: »

these 'variable tariffs with exit fees' punters are potentially being taken for a ride.

as for those folks who join schemes which require extra memberships. but lets keep that discussion in the other place lol

cheapest isn't always best though it is a good place to start :j

sundries

Thanks for all your replies. I contacted Npower and apparently it was because they had been UNDERcharging me in my previous direct debits (probably cos a couple of years ago I phoned up and got £200 back cos they were overcharging me).

My annual consumption is 6,698 kwh according to them. (this seems incredibly high to me but I cant be bothered to argue with them and am going to switch)
my annual gas consumption is 333.24kwh p/a