EDF Energy

Alison69

My father (who is a pensioner) has just received a letter from EDF Energy informing him of a change to their charges as at 2nd March 2011. The letter was dated February 2011, was delivered 7th March and yet the charges have already come into effect.

They are removing the two tier price system and introducing a single price per unit for the day and for the night (he is on Economy 7). The price is slightly lower than the average for the daytime but higher for the night. Comparing this on the last bill this would be about £10 more expensive.

However they are also introducing a quarterly standing charge of just over 16p a day. For a quarter this relates to around £15.

I phoned them and they say that customers have requested this (why customers would request such a price hike I have no idea) and I am currently awaiting a call back from a manager.

Whilst I appreciate he could change supplier, this has been tried before and the new company then hiked up the charges and it was a tremendous hassle. He simply cannot cope with that.

What can be done?

KimYeovil

As you say, all suppliers can (and do) change their tariffs (and alter the structures, not just the prices). If you or he 'cannot cope with that' then nothing can be done. You have to choose your tariffs and live with the market. Or live in the dark without heat.

If your father is a pensioner then his income must be £550 plus housing every month. Why can he not pay for his fuel - what complications are there that are causing problems?

Note that £5 per month is actually very reasonable theseadays as a tier 1/daily standing charge - some suppliers charge £17 per month and more.

Edit: as your father is on E7 then the change from two-tier to daily standing charge is irrelevant - savings from not having a daily standing charge really just apply to gas bills. You should also ensure he is on their Saver 9 E7 tariff rather than the standard (if he doesn't want to switch to British Gas)

Alison69

Clearly it's not just pensioners that this affects but anyone on low incomes. You may be lucky enough to be able to handle this rise but he isn't and he is at an income where he isn't able to claim benefits. He has cut his usage right back but working out the equivalent based on the past years usage the bill will rise by at least £135. This is a large hike. Rises in electricity prices are understandable but the imposition of a standing charge smacks of profiteering.

The general cost of living is rising across the board, especially fuel. He is a blue badge holder and depends on his car but uses it as little as possible.

My father did save as much as he could but circumstances over the years have meant that he is not as well off as he should have been. My mother does not get a full pension and therefore money is tight. Increases such as this and other bills are making life hard.

Clearly no-one is as perfect as you. I came on this forum to ask for some help and advice. I had considered as Martin Lewis is so helpful on the tv that the forum would be equally as helpful and constructive. I was clearly wrong and will inform my father that the most helpful comment was for him to sit in the dark and in the cold. I sincerely hope that you don't find yourself in the position of needing some help and advice and receiving the same sort of unsympathetic and unhelpful comments.

[Deleted User]

Hello Alison, Please don't judge other people on this forum by the rude comments that Kim Yeovil has made. She is well known for her cutting remarks and her impertinent attitude. There are many other members on this forum who are very understanding and only pleased to offer genuine help and advise.

redhead99

Hi, with the standing charge introduction, you might find that your Dad won't pay more than before, it depends on how much he was using during each quarter. This is because he would have effectively be paying a standing charge with the more expensive Tier 1 rates. If he doesn't want to change supplier, he can have a look at the rest of EDF's tariffs and make sure that he's on the best one for him, you'll probably find that he's on standard which might not be the best value.
Try and get an idea of how much he uses on each of the registers over a year as this'll give you the best idea.
Hope this helps.

chokka_2

Exactly.. I thought that the higher rate for the first couple of units meant that there was no longer a "standing charge" as such on electricity :huh: