Southarn Electric, DD increase by stealth.

jackcrabb121

Hi,

I have recently received (what I call) a ‘stealth’ letter off Southern Electric informing me they were increasing my monthly DD from £18 to £36, but I didn’t have to do anything as they would kindly take care of it. When I called SE to find out why they told me that I had previously been on the discounted ‘Energyplus Care General Domestic’ (8.52p per unit) tariff, my 2 year contract had now expired and, now, because the criteria to qualify for that tariff had changed and I no longer met it (20% of all income to be spent on Energy), they have transferred me to the ‘General Domestic’ tariff (11.52p per unit). I am disabled and my only present income is my benefit. My medical circumstances have not changed and nor are they likely to in the future.

From last November to this November I have used 2,524 units (discounted from £363 to £234) and would anticipate using approximately the same this year. They said under the new tariff I would still qualify for a ‘generous’ £50 winter rebate and then tried to make me feel guilty about my possibly jumping ship. I am very disappointed with SE and have been shopping around for an alternative supplier. While on one hand you are encouraged to conserve energy, in my particular case it would seem that I am being financially penalised for doing so.

I am single, living in the Hants area in a fairly new build, compact, one bedroom flat with moderate use. I have gas CH and have only recently sorted out my Tariff with British Gas and have qualified for their ‘Essentials’ so am reluctant to disturb that. Having scoured this forum and Uswitch I am still finding it difficult deciding on what is the best deal (Quidco?) for me or perhaps I would be better off going Dual Fuel with BG with an online DD tariff?

I would greatly appreciate any advice.

TIA

dogshome

Hi jackcrabb121 - With your Elect annual consumption of 2524, which is low, have a look at Ebico for thier prices in your region

christabell

When using a comparission site..... Energy Choice and Energy Linx both have social tariffs built into their calculations. SSE & BG are not the only company that have social tariffs.....They mostly all do. Good luck with your search.

KimYeovil

dogshome wrote: »

Hi jackcrabb121 - With your Elect annual consumption of 2524, which is low, have a look at Ebico for thier prices in your region

2500 is far too high a consumption for Ebico to be a sensible choice. 'Below average' does not equal 'low'.

jackcrabb121

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check upt your suggestions.

cing0

Just had SSE post me changes to Energyplus Care gas tariff including price increase from 1st Dec and monthly DD customers pay more than quarterly & pre-payment customers per kWh of gas !
Check your bills!