StayWarm Special Briefing 2006/7 Discussion Area

kse_3

In an all electric three bedroomed house with a standard meter and two occupants, what is regarded by Staywarm as the maximum number of kWh that should be used per year by a normal user?

RobtM

We have just received the annual renewal letter from Staywarm. As high gas users we expected a price increase, but not a jump of a straight £100 pm. Checking the price comparison sites we can reduce this increase by £45 pm, a big saving and impossible to ignore.
I understand from talking to them that all high users are being hit by the same increase. As they are not seeking to be competitive, you have to conclude that they want to get rid of us. Their prerogative, of course, but is a shame, as they have treated us well in the past.
In answer to kse, Staywarm says that an unrestricted dual fuel consumer, averaged nationally, uses 28000 kWh of gas and 4950 kWh of electricity a year.

archie6

I am absolutely astonished that Powergen have the nerve to increase Staywarm charges for loyal long term customers at a time when they have announced tariff reductions of 16% on gas and 5% on electricity wef. 30 April 2007. See Martin Lewis's table at: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103281560,22751,#over60
Martin also states that Staywarm charges are being reduced correspondingly on the same date. They are obviously trying to dump the Staywarm scheme.
My renewal date is, coincidentally, on 30 April so I wonder what they'll try on with me? They'll think of some reason for increasing my charge that's for sure.
I have my meter readings for 30 April last year so I can check what they're up to and compare their charge with other tariffs.

Cardew

archie6 wrote:

I am absolutely astonished that Powergen have the nerve to increase Staywarm charges for loyal long term customers at a time when they have announced tariff reductions of 16% on gas and 5% on electricity wef. 30 April 2007. See Martin Lewis's table at: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103281560,22751,#over60
Martin also states that Staywarm charges are being reduced correspondingly on the same date. They are obviously trying to dump the Staywarm scheme.
My renewal date is, coincidentally, on 30 April so I wonder what they'll try on with me? They'll think of some reason for increasing my charge that's for sure.
I have my meter readings for 30 April last year so I can check what they're up to and compare their charge with other tariffs.

I wonder why you are astonished. They are a commercial firm like any other and profit driven.

It seems obvious that the Staywarm scheme, as was, is not commercially viable so they are getting rid of customers from whom they are not making a profit.

The concept of 'loyal long term customers' is unfortunately simply not recognised by many of the Utility firms or indeed banks. I find it galling that there are attractive accounts that are only open to new customers and existing customers have to remain on less attractive terms.

Gal

Before I go any further just to clear things up I work for powergen (As some people may or may not know).

Staywarm has always been a product that suited some and not others. High users 'used' to love staywarm as its a use as much as you want for one fee product but that has very much changed in the past year.

This is the first full year that users are now banded into 3 tiers High / Medium and Standard. The thresholds for these vary and I have put the standard thesholds below for you:

Standard -
Gas - usage has to be equal to or lower then 20,500kWh a year (Defined by ofgem as a average property usage in the uk).
Electric (Single rate meter) - usage equal to or lower then 3,300kWh a year (again defined by ofgem as average property).
Electric (Economy 7 meter) - Usage equal to or lower then 6,600kWh a year.

With gas and electric usage it only takes one of these to be above the threshold to push you into the next band.

If your all electric then they vary slightly -

Electric single rate meter (possible with oil central heating) - Equal to or lower then 9,653kWh.

Electric E7 Meter - Equal to or lower then 11,220kWh

The reason why many prices have changed isn't because you have been using more but because your now banded and its worth noting at this point as well how much your using - Staywarm has never been a 'For Profit' product and even now its not - Its because you pay fixed rates for a year that your unaffected by the huge rises last year and although the prices are coming down - There still not as low as they were this time last year. Even powergens first rise was 24% on the gas alone in march last year and on top of that there was another increase in August. - I'm not trying to justify the increase more pointing out reasons why your seeing a change.

Don't have the thresholds to hand for the others - But at this point its worth noting that staywarm gets alot of help for the more vulnerable customers on staywarm and its worth calling the CaringEnergy team at powergen if you need help with Insulation measures (Which staywarm medium and high users can get for free if they don't have cavity wall insulation at least, and Loft Insulation is offered at discounted rates and in some circumstances is also free). Also Benefit entitlement checks can be carried out (To make sure that your recieving all government offered benefits possible), Free Energy advice, Free Low Energy Light Bulbs if your in reciept of certain benefits etc etc.

Also because you are on staywarm you should recieve information on the priority services register which means that your able to claim an annual gas safety check for free as well. Which is available to all customers over the age of 60 that own there own property / and disabled or chronically ill customers.

I know its not much when your prices are going up - however there are other products you can change to within powergen if your unhappy and / or you can change your supplier - If you have been classed as a medium or high user and your not happy staying with staywarm, I would personally not look into the Age Concern product that your generally referred back to - But maybe Energyonline where the discounts are large - Anybody with half a brain at powergen domestic enquiries can work this out for you and advise you what would save you the most money.

If anyone has been classed as a medium or high user my advice would be to contact staywarm directly with information as to any benefits your recieving other then state pension and let them know. If you don't get any luck with them contact the CaringEnergy team and see what they can offer - You'll find that there alot more helpful then the standard customer service -

Numbers are below for you:

Staywarm - 0800 479 0125
CaringEnergy - 0800 051 1480

chas1937

Thanks Gal for clearing thing up a bit about Staywarm.As I,m disabled I phoned up and was put onto the register you talk about and was told that I would be on the lowest Staywarm tarriff because of that

space_rider

Can I also add that if you use more gas or electricity because of a medical illness then they will let you remain on the standard tariff if you can provide them with proof. I also think if you get DLA or Attendance Allowance and advise them, you can remain on the low tariff. I have elderly relatives who have done this.

anniesmike

Thanks folks - being disabled and chronically ill, I just phoned Staywarm about this issue, and have been reverted to standard tariff, backdated to January 1st - saving of £12.25 per month. In addition, I am being added to the priority services register and signed up for the free annual gas safety check. Pity Staywarm themselves don't make these benefits known to their customers though.

Biggles

Gal, is it possible to see these bands anywhere? One of the problems with Staywarm at the moment is that you are given a price out of the blue and told, 'That's it'.

Originally, there was a tariff on the Staywarm website which listed the rate, area by area, depending on the number of occupants and the number of bedrooms. Is there anything like this now?

For example, what is the Standard Band for a three bedroom house in East Anglia with two occupants?

space_rider

Anniesmike, I think it is in the terms and conditions when they send you the contract.