Gas meter?

SwanJon

Premier wrote: »

I don't think the supplier can intentionally configure a PPM to become a credit meter.

I think it's more that they wouldn't want to. Most of the new prepayment meters were designed with this option in mind, but the Meter operators charge a higher rental than for a traditional credit meter, so it would cost the supplier more in the long run.
But new smart meters...

B'stard - Many suppliers charge the same or less for PP than quarterly billing, but I know of only one (Ebico) that charges the same for DD - the others all offer an extra discount for DD on the quarterly bill prices.

markharding557

Premier wrote: »

I don't think the supplier can intentionally configure a PPM to become a credit meter. In November 2008, Ebico suffered from a problem out of their immediate control resulting in their gas PPM customers continuing to be able to obtain unlimited amounts of gas without ever crediting their PPM. It was for that reason that Ebico said they would issue bills to existing PPM customers who elected to continue to use gas and not credit their meter. The crediting of the meter apparently immediately resumed the 'pay as you go' functionality of the meter.

Details of the announcement here:
http://www.ebico.co.uk/news.php (21.11.08)

yes you are correct i remember it well.
one thing puzzles me though and that is why don't the companies save some money by converting the pp meters as standard when customers want a credit meter

Cardew

B'stard wrote: »

So theres no difference in the cost of gas between using dd or pp?

Many companies have reduced their Pre-pay tariff to the same rates as their Standard tariff.

However they all have internet tariffs that are much cheaper than the standard/pre-pay tariff.

For instance dual fuel on BG's websaver 5 is approx 18% cheaper than BG's standard tariff at the moment.

PNPSUKNET

npower are quite easy to get pre-pay removed

spiro

markharding557 wrote: »

yes you are correct i remember it well.
one thing puzzles me though and that is why don't the companies save some money by converting the pp meters as standard when customers want a credit meter

As already stated, one reason is rental costs. The other I suspect may be their billing systems which will expect vends to come through for ppm. The intention with Smart meters is they will operate as CR, PPM and Debt Recovery without the need to change the meter.

B'stard

With these pp meters, do you get to choose the tariff you want to be on or are you stuck on a standard one?

KimYeovil

B'stard wrote: »

With these pp meters, do you get to choose the tariff you want to be on or are you stuck on a standard one?

You are free to choose any supplier but from a very limited number of tariffs. Choose the "Prepayment" option on the comparison sites to see what is available in your area.

B'stard

Could you please tell me what is the typical usage, gas and electric, for a single person (who works full time) in a 3 bed terraced house.

I need to the figures for the comparison websites.

Thanks

penrhyn

Hello Alan,
With Gas central heating. I'd suggest 10000 Kwh Gas and 2000 Kwh Electricity.

B'stard

penrhyn wrote: »

Hello Alan,
With Gas central heating. I'd suggest 10000 Kwh Gas and 2000 Kwh Electricity.

I've read that Ebico is good for people with pp meters.
Using the figure of 10,000 kwh for gas would I be correct in thinking that Ebico would charge me £367.50 per year for gas, would anywhere else be cheaper

http://www.ebico.co.uk/gasrates.php

And using 2000kwh for electricity at 13.68p per kwh = £273.60 per year

http://www.ebico.co.uk/elecrates.php

btw I from Merseyside/North Wales area