Electric company changed my tariff

[Deleted User]

Southern Electric changed my electricity tariff without letting me know. When i got my latest bill they have put me on another tariff and said im not entitled to the tariiff i was on because ive got to have used 8% of my annual income to be entitled to the tariff. Im on Economy 7. My day rate unit has gone up 6p per unit and my night time unit has gone up about 7p per unit. Does anyone know where you can get the unit rates on these comparison websites as ive never had to changed suppliers before. It all seems too confusing as i dont really want to go by the Kw used or £ ive spent. I just want to know the day rate, night rate and the standing charge if any. Can anyone help.

KimYeovil

On the results page of the comparison site you can usually click somewhere on the list of results to find the unit rates. For example, with uswitch, click the tariff names and unit prices will be shown (you can open the rates in separate windows for each tariff if you like.)

But what use is that info? Unless you are an arithmetic savant it is not going to help you find the ideal tariff.

dogshome

Hi coralred - From your post it appears that you were on SE's tariff for very low-income customers
Most of the big 6 suppliers have these tariffs, but they are very, very low key so far as information is concerned and often the best route for access is thro' the Citizens Advice Bureau. To get on these tariffs the companies will require some written evidence of income.

If you are not spending 7% or more of your income on Elec., it's unlikely that any of the comanies will offer you their version of thiese tariffs - but if you are, then visit your local CAB office and they will support your application
Good Luck

[Deleted User]

Thankyou for both replies. Yes i am on a low income and no i dont spend much more than 3 to 4% of my income on electric because i cant afford to. What annoys me the most is i do really try to cut back and do as the companies say, eg turn everything off as much as possible and dont leave anything on standby. Even my E7 storage heaters ive managed to get the knack of and that isnt easy (due to them being either too hot or cold). Then they penalise me by saying your not using enough electric now so we'll up your tariif rates so we get more money out of you. Hey Ho, i suppose thats life. Ile have to make the most of the E7 night rate and make the best of it if i cant find another cheaper tarrif.

KimYeovil

Unfortunately things will only get worse. We have a strident bleating bleeding heart lobby that only care about the usual suspects - debtors and breeders. At present you are free to choose the cheapest tariffs - but this may be limited as the poor (like you) are forced to subsidise the professional underclass.

It is ridiculous that those who are too poor to heat their homes are denied all consideration.

[Deleted User]

Well i couldnt find a lower or same rate tariff than i was on, but i managed to find one with 2 day rates, 1 night rate, and no standing charge. It was the lowest one i could find. So from this week im going to calculate how much it is over a one week period. Its not that im poor, i am on a low income, but my bills and mortgage are low. Its the fact that theyve penalised me because i am doing what the companies say and using less electric. I use my night rate a lot rather than the day especially in the summer then it makes up for the electricity i have to use in the winter. So much for common sense eh. I know ile get the benefit of the 2 day rates during the autumn and winter as ive calculated how much electricity ive used within a 3 month period and its more than the 225units. So after ive used 225units it will drop to a lower rate. I went on the comparison websites and they all came up with the same tariif as being the lowest rate units for my circumstances. We shall see