Prepayment Meter Gas/Electric 11 August 2004 at 4:05PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Energy 12 replies 3K views

Amalething03_2

Sorry if this area is already covered by Martin, but as with many, Im finding this all very overwelming.

Ive recently moved into a flat which was provided by npower for Gas+Elect. After a few months I welcomed in a BritGas saleman, if he could sell me a better deal, we'll go with them. Sure enough, the math worked out, though he did tell one BIG lie. When I asked about the cost of there fuel, they said its the same as npowers, only they didn't have an standing charge.

I've since started looking into places like 'www.uswitch.com', anything to help find some sence in all the bickering from the providers claiming they can do better.

Here's what I've got:

This is BritGas (prepayment Electric): Annual est. cost: £84.00
Unit Charge - pence per kWh = 11.16
Tier 2*Unit Charge - pence per kWh= 6.71 (For units used above 900 KWh p.a.)

BritGas (prepayment Gas): Annual est. cost: £480.00
Unit Charge - pence per kWh =2.96
Tier 2*Unit Charge - pence per kWh =1.67 (For units used above 4572 KWh p.a. )


Im hoping this makes more sence to you guys, as if it was as easy as choosing the lowest figure on uswitch, wouldn't we all be with the same provider?

All advice welcome.
Thanks

teri_3

You need to look at all the comparison sites otherwise you could easily get trapped into doing something with one who only deals with certain suppliers.

I have a prepayment meter and the only comparison that could better it was energylinx as they seemed to be the only one who listed a company called equipower who I have now moved to.

I spoke to equipower about this at the time and it turns out that energylinx is the only comparison to list all the suppliers because they are the only one with arrangements in place with them all.

Most of the comparisons would therefore appear to be biased toards who pays them, so my advice would be careful and look around.

loates123

what are the best sites for checking the cheapest on payment meters

Amalething03_2

Well I got a call from my previous supplier to entice me to come back to them, they told me to look at uswitch.com. Uswitch is an independant adviser, you put in all your details and it comes out with who'd be best for you. Uswitch clearly showed that my previous supplier was actually cheaper than the supplier that I'd just moved to.

One thing I didn't think was accurate was the standing charge. On prepayment meters their is a set charge each time you top up your meter, for me I top up my meter 4 times a month, sometimes more - or less. For those that only top up their meter once a month with have a standing charge 4 times cheap than mine. How is Uswitch able to calculate your specific charges, if they dont ask this question?

loon_2

all pre-payment meters are set to the local suppliers tariff unless they are key meters or smart cards. each meter is set to take a specific meter charge each week, no matter how many times you top up. the only time the meter may take more, is if you use a lot of emergency credit, as no meter charge is taken off when on emergency.

Amalething03_2

I wouldn't know how that works, I only know how my own works (barely), and yes, I think mine is a smartcard (has a chip on it).

My gf has just topped up the old GAS suppiers smartcard in the shop, instead of the new card we got a few days ago. Now when we put the new card in, its saying 'call help'.

Has anyone experienced this before? Just wanted to know how long it could take to get our GAS back again, as its even took our emergency way from us too. Plus there is the £5 credit on the old card now which will need refunding. I'll get on the phone to them first thing in the morning, - just thought I'd ask here to get a head's-up on things...

...how embarrassing :-[

chalktalk

shadow123,

the best deal with a prepayment meter is very likely going to be https://www.equipower.co.uk , take a note of their standing charge (£0.00) and unit price and compare that with anything that the comparison sites can throw at you.

Then, you'll probably sign up.

Amalething03_2

Equipower charges 7.00, my usage charge is only 6.71. I was told by BritGas that there was no standing charge, but on my meter it clearly states the weekly standing charge is 77p. Is this correct? Surely they can't say there's no standing charge if my meter shows there is.

I just dont' know if Im paying over the odds or not.

Thanks for the suggestion though chalktalk

loon_2

see earlier post. all token meters (the ones with the paper cards) are set to tyhe local area unit rate. all meters in specific areas charge the same amount. after 12 months the supplier will work out your annual consumption and apply the correct tariff and re-bill to correct amount. all meters will charge a meter charge (not to be confused with standing charge) as the meters are merely rented by suppliers and they pass the cost onto consumers.

pak2

[move]all token meters (the ones with the paper cards) are set to tyhe local area unit rate. all meters in specific areas charge the same amount. after 12 months the supplier will work out your annual consumption and apply the correct tariff and re-bill to correct amount. all meters will charge a meter charge (not to be confused with standing charge) as the meters are merely rented by suppliers and they pass the cost onto consumers. [/move]

SORRY BUT WRONG !!!


PPM (pre-pay meters) prices r controlled by the company u pay the money 2. The reason the British Gas for example have a standing charge on their customers meters is due to the meters not being able to accomodate the two tier price option they offer.

What they do is charge u the dif between the higher and lower rate MULTIPLIED by an approx amount based apon an average usage.

They then adjust your bill at the end of the year to allow dif between the cust and average cust.

Because there is not normally commision to be earned on pre-pay meters most comparison site don't spend much energy on comparing PPM's

Pak

iannewbery

I have just changed to equipower...then found out they are covered by southern electric and well...i was confused....

however i now have my prepay token card to by the tokens starting next week.

However how does my meter know that i will be paying less......lol...i know its dim like but i dont know.......does the meter have to be re-calibrated ot somthing..........

Put me out my misery ....please!!