Prepay Meters

renowen

Ive had a browse through the threads on here but cant seem to find what im looking for.

We live in a council property which has those prepay meters for Gas and Electricity, Ive always found them a pain especially as gas meter has a mind of its own and likes to hold back credit every now and again (ive asked about this and they cant explain it to me!!) which sometimes leave us without heating!!!

However up till now ive assumed (ok I should of asked) that because its council we have no choice but to have the meters. Though it turns out this isnt the case, if we want off the meter I can ring up the companies and get switched over.

So

I need advice, IS it better to be on or off the prepay meter? ATM we put on so much each week on both meters, although we never run out of electricity (well havnt for a very long time now lol) we do sometimes run out of gas if we have blitzed it cause its been really cold/snowing etc. Never more than for a day or 2 but obviously with little kids even one day without heating in the winter is a nightmare!

At least if we were off the meter we would have constant gas and electricty .... but I guess would cost more as we might not be as vigilant on how much we use??
But then again is it more expensive on a meter anyways and would kinda balance out? Oh I dont know lol!

Anyone? xx

spiro

The difference in price between ppm and basic credit tariff is very little now especially with Ebico (think thats the name). To even out your payaments with a cr meter you need to be on a DD tariff as you then pay the same each month whereas you use lots more gas in the winter.

If you go to CR keep a check on you readings and note how much it will cost.
Everytime you get a bill check the reading used is an actual reading and if it is not read your meter and phone your supplier.
If you are not lots (£00s) in credit in August phoen your supplier because your DD may have been set to low.

Premier_2

As spiro says, the cost of a PPM vs a credit meter is not much when comparing standard tariffs.

There are some savings to be made with a credit meter if you agree to things like paying monthly by DD (see the number of people who have posted on here because of issues arising by paying monthly by DD e.g. accruing debt, suppliers taking more than the customer believes is warranted, etc), getting web based accounts/bills, etc

But, as you say, you need to also consider whether you would be inclined to use more energy when it is available unrestricted , rather than having to pay as you go at present.

For many, the convienience of not having to regularly top a meter is why they prefer credit meters.

spiro

The other thing to remember, if you have a bank card, pc and internet access, is that BG now offer in home vending so you can top up without leaving your home.

anguk

I have a pre-payment meter with British Gas and wouldn't change to a normal meter. Before we had the pre-payment it was so easy to just stick the heating on and then dread the bill coming in, we also had lots of hassle with direct debits (paying too much, not paying enough). With the prepayment I feel so much more in control, disciplined and there's no surprises.

I know it can be a pain going to the shops to top cards/keys up, especially when the weather is nasty but British Gas have a "home energy top-up service" which allows you to top up through your computer. I just plug it into the usb and top-up online with a debit card, it only takes 2 minutes.
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/topup

puppywalker23

anguk wrote: »

I have a pre-payment meter with British Gas and wouldn't change to a normal meter. Before we had the pre-payment it was so easy to just stick the heating on and then dread the bill coming in, we also had lots of hassle with direct debits (paying too much, not paying enough). With the prepayment I feel so much more in control, disciplined and there's no surprises.

I know it can be a pain going to the shops to top cards/keys up, especially when the weather is nasty but British Gas have a "home energy top-up service" which allows you to top up through your computer. I just plug it into the usb and top-up online with a debit card, it only takes 2 minutes.
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/topup

I have to agree,I like having my pre-payment meter,and not having to worry about getting a big bill,or them putting up,then down the direct debits.
Now with having the British Gas have a "home energy top-up service" so easy to just Top Up at home,have even managed to get one for my electric,so can do all my topping up at home now:)

http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/campaigns/ipower_info/

kjsmith7

I switched from my prepayment meter to my current credit meter for electricity because of the hassle of living 2 miles from the nearest shop, which shuts at 8pm in an evening also. Wish they'd brought out the home top up before! I think that's a brilliant idea.

guccigoo

hi i had a pre pay meter for my gas for 16 yrs but took the plunge and got a normal meter put in. its so much easier not having to top the thing up and i pay dd each month. you can still keep a track of what your using each week by going on to smart meter website.:)

markharding557

If the meter is malfunctioning then report it.
I will give you a little tip for budgeting on prepay,during the summer put more credit in than you use then by next winter you will have a reserve for when the weather gets cold.
using the above method we have never ran out of gas and have never had to put more than our usual £10pw in it.
we put £10 per week in the meter all year around

Bark01

How about the fact that none of the cheapest tariffs are available for Prepayment?

Seems like a pretty good incentive not to be on prepayment. I don't care if my supplier charges me too much or too little for a period, as I can use the time I'm not in the shop updating my card to actually check I’m paying the right amount. I've never had a problem getting back any money I’m owed and I’m sure no supplier is going to refuse a request to increase my MDD.

Prepayment is madness!

People just submit actual readings once a month and check your bills.

kjsmith7

Bark01 wrote: »

People just submit actual readings once a month and check your bills.

That's exactly what I do now, but a lot of people just won't do that, and prepayment is perfect for budgeting.