MSE News: Low energy users face steepest price hike from Scottish Power

Paulgonnabedebtfree

A bit tired here but I'm wondering if the following might work. As the expensive units are on a per quarter basis and I have to give my own readings, would it save money if I lied about my usage every other quarter. i.e. every other quarter make out that I had hardly used any gas or electricity at all? That way I would not be paying the more expensive rastes every other quarter (as far as they know I might gone away for eleven weeks in 26 - always fully within one of their quarters of course. Of course it's totally dishonest but I think the barstewards deserve it. Obviously it's best to bring it up to date every other quarter so you don't fall behind on the bill - or make sure the money is saved to allow for it. Even better, why not be a close to zero user for two quarters out of three rather than one out of two. The obligation to read the meter is (I think - may be wrong) only one reading per year.
Am I thinking of this correctly or am I misunderstanding something basic?
Just trying to figure out the saving at current prices.
I will use simple numbers
Electricity - first 225kwh is 15p per unit. The rest (per quarter) are 8.5p. So if I took 25 kwh as my (false)usage for one quarter, that would be 200kwh at 6.5p over 6 months - about £13. The gap is currently 6.5p but after the increase it widens to about 8.7p so the saving after August 1st would be even greater.
The differential with gas is widening from about 2p to about 4p - though it's the first 650kwh that are charged higher.
This may have some merit if I'm understanding this correctly - though obviously it would be very important to stash away the saved money.
Even better, the idea of only paying for one quarter's worth of more expensive units per year is even more attractive.
F*** 'em. That's what I say.
If they want to take the pi**, I will return the favour.

ian1969uk

Erm, I think you're asking for trouble with that approach and I'd steer well clear of it is I was you.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

ian1969uk wrote: »

Erm, I think you're asking for trouble with that approach and I'd steer well clear of it is I was you.

You may be right but I am considering it. I suppose I might ask myself what's the worst that can happen. If they decide to get a warrant to force entry for a reading (and it would probably take ages to get that far), there is plenty of warning. No problem. Let them in before they apply for it. They take their reading. So my usage since my previous reading has been much higher than usual. The burden of proof lies with SP I reckon.
Like I say, tonight I'm tired. I'm also angry with SP. Maybe after a good night's sleep it will all feel different again.

RobStaffs

Seen a lot about Sons and PC's on here.I have one of those packages:rotfl:anyone know how many units the average PC runs up ? He has it on between 6 and 10 and virtually all weekend,He is 22 but no signs of fleeing the nest yet?

RobStaffs

I am going to take my time on this one.First all I will work out what my new annual bill will be based on one years consumption.Then I compare on a few sites.If what the article states is accurate then low users will be moving from SP in their droves.

cw18

RobStaffs wrote: »

Seen a lot about Sons and PC's on here.I have one of those packages:rotfl:anyone know how many units the average PC runs up ? He has it on between 6 and 10 and virtually all weekend,He is 22 but no signs of fleeing the nest yet?

I could have told you about 3 or 4 years ago (when we put energy monitors on them), but all I can tell you now is that since my lad - and his PC - moved out my electricity use has dropped by about a third. That equates to about 3kWh/day (or just under £10/month at my current prices).

At best guess he had his on for about 5 hours a day on a college day (4 days a week), and at least 12 hours on a non-college day (3 days a week plus holidays).

RobStaffs

Just been on Radio Scotland.They are looking at their claim that existing customers can save £400 by switching tariffs

Lemur

I understand that the Fresh Start tariff has been withdrawn by SP, i rang them a couple of weeks ago and was told it is no longer available and that it would be better if i fixed tariff for a year!! I am still undecided..

ibcinnes

Further Update

Set another email to SP on 21/06/11 to enquire about their NSC tariff for Fresh Start:

Account number:***********
Do you have a Fresh Start Tariff with NSC, and if so could you advise me of it?

(my name).

The same day I received a reply:

Dear Mr *****,

Thank you for your email.

I have arranged for your account to be set up on Fresh Start offer with No Standing Charge tariff. It will take 5 working days to get it updated on your account.

If you have any further questions then you may wish to use our online help facility 24 hours a day available at (web address)
Kind regards etc,etc


Pathetic really that no one at SP can comprehend a simple question.

Sent another email back to SP:

I'm sorry, but I do not want my account changing to NSC. I was merely asking for details to enable me to make a comparrison of prices.
Please ensure that my account reverts to the service charge format.

Yours sincerely,

*** *****

Will update again when SP reply.

jollymichael

I did the same calculation as PAULGONNABEDEBTFREE re the dual-fuel increase by S.P.
I calculated that based on the last 12 mths usage the proposed increase is actually 35%.
When I phoned S.P. to query this the customer liaison man confirmed my findings and also said that some regions have been affected more than others. I am in Eastern Region which has been hit quite badly.

He agreed that my only real option was to shop around which I am taking my time doing as the incr. only takes effect from 1st Aug and S.P. will waive cancellation charges if they are notified before that date.
Personally I am not keen to tie into a fixed tariff.