This doesn't make sense - Help with Gas/Electricity!

rachelandgromit

Grrr, wish I'd never looked into Martin's newsletter telling me to fix as I've read all through the ramblings on there and can't make any head or tail of the my bill especially my electric bill as it doesn't make sense - if someone could explain this to me, I'd be grateful, it would then help me compare the options and try and work out what is best.

So, My last bill from Southern Electric was 12 October 2010 - 13th April 2011 (they only seem to send me 6 month bills I pay by direct debit monthly though). Right so my electricity was probably quite low as I spent alot of time with my mum and dad in the last few months (where I had left my gas on low so this is why my gas is higher). For some reason I'm not paying a standing charge, I don't know why and I don't understand if it is better to be on a standing charge or not. So it says that electricity wise from 12th October 2010 - 8th March 2011 I used 292 units at 17.62p each and 9th March - 13th April I used 100 units at 17.56p each. Now this seems alot per pence but I'm not paying a standing charge, as I say, my useage was quite low as I was living with my parents alot during this time. So, do I need to be on a tarrif with a standing charge, I'm completely confused by this.

Gas wise, Again same dates as above, this is what Southern Electric are charging me - 12th October to 30th November 2010 620 kwh at 4.920p and then 1123 kwh at 2.880p, then 1st Deceber to 13th April they have charged me 910 kwh at 7.230p each, and 3760kwh at 3.150p each. Again there is no standing charge. I really don't understand whether it is better to be on a tarrif with a standing charge or to fix, I'm really confused and have read all Martin's MSE and the last two pages here and nothing makes sense!!! Also, I'm worried about fixing if it is the same as my mortgage, at a time when everyone was shouting fix, I'm on a 10 year fix now at 5.99% so is there any downsides to it :mad::mad:Thank you for any help...

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you are paying by Monthly Direct Debit, it will be a statement you get every 6 months, not a bill, if it is estimated check readings and contact supplier.

You don't pay a standing charge, as you pay extra for the first so many units, then less for the rest, as you can see by your gas prices.

How come your rates differ, was there a price increase between statements?

Electricity:

I used 292 units at 17.62p
I used 100 units at 17.56p

Gas:

620 kwh at 4.920p and then 1123 kwh at 2.880p
910 kwh at 7.230p each, and 3760kwh at 3.150p.

Premier_2

If your bill doesn't say what your estimated annual usage is (I'm sure SSE bills do very clearly)then wait til tomorrow, call them and get the data.

Put it into a comparison site and choose the cheapest fixed/capped option (since variable rates are likley to rise)

It doesn't matter whether it is SC or NSC, the lowest total annual cost is what is important.

rachelandgromit

Yes, I think there must have been a price increase. Now to get my annual usage is going to be difficult as although I've owned the house almost 5 years, I only moved in 'properly' in March, prior to this it was odd nights, one per week as I'd got no furniture, working kitchen etc... so to get my annual use is difficult, although I had left my gas running as you could see from my useage when we had the big freeze. I presume that's why I'm not on a tarrif where I'm paying the standing charge. Having spent last night thinking about this, I think I'm probably best on a tarrif where I don't pay a standard charge but please correct me if I am wrong. I am hardly ever in, I work 12 hour shifts 3 days a week, come home and sleep, most weekends I am out and about and tend to do big hoidays - e.g 6 weeks at a time so I don't want to pay for something I'm not going to use..... What do you think??? So, this is going to make it difficult to compare and see if I will save money and I don't know if fixing for me will be worth it, hmmm.

Another question too, I have had a new boiler put in but still kept the airing cupboard/tank/immersion heater. In warmer weather, am I better completely turning off the boiler and using the immerson heater instead? At the moment my boiler is on purely for the hot water....

Thanks