Big Leap in Gas and Electric Direct Debit

jalexa

Annab1982 wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies

Welcome back. The *really* useful update in return would be news on getting NPower to reduce your monthly payment. Or at least what justification they give for an apparently excessive payment.

Annab1982

Yes, I plan on speaking to them next week once the next direct debit has gone out, and will update then!

chris1973

I must admit that when I read the many threads in respect of bills and payments inevitably the complaint often comes down to something to do with DD payments (regardless of who was to blame for the error, overpayment , underpayment etc).

Its times like these that i'm glad that when i'm renting a property with credit meters, that I submit regular meter readings, and pay the bill in full every quarter when it arrives. It takes just minutes to log in, view the bill, check they have used the submitted reading I sent (and not an estimate) and then pay them online with a debit card. I've often done the whole lot in the time it takes Sky to show their commercials.....so not inconvenient

I know that this 'old fashioned' minority approach may cost me a few quid extra per annum, and is frowned upon here, but seriously i'm happy to trade that few quid in return for a more peaceful life where my supplier isn't going to suddenly automatically bill me £70 this month in DD payments instead of the £50 it was taking previously, or i'm going to get sent a backbill demanding a three figure sum for months worth of underpaying purely because their computer set it all up wrong, my usage changed, or some microchip in their billing system had a silicon brain fart.


It seems that putting the suppliers in charge of our financial destiny, and energy usage predictions is the route to all evil

StephenM_2

chris1973 wrote: »

I must admit that when I read the many threads in respect of bills and payments inevitably the complaint often comes down to something to do with DD payments (regardless of who was to blame for the error, overpayment , underpayment etc).

Its times like these that i'm glad that when i'm renting a property with credit meters, that I submit regular meter readings, and pay the bill in full every quarter when it arrives. It takes just minutes to log in, view the bill, check they have used the submitted reading I sent (and not an estimate) and then pay them online with a debit card. I've often done the whole lot in the time it takes Sky to show their commercials.....so not inconvenient

I know that this 'old fashioned' minority approach may cost me a few quid extra per annum, and is frowned upon here, but seriously i'm happy to trade that few quid in return for a more peaceful life where my supplier isn't going to suddenly automatically bill me £70 this month in DD payments instead of the £50 it was taking previously, or i'm going to get sent a backbill demanding a three figure sum for months worth of underpaying purely because their computer set it all up wrong, my usage changed, or some microchip in their billing system had a silicon brain fart.


It seems that putting the suppliers in charge of our financial destiny, and energy usage predictions is the route to all evil

My Direct Debits are pretty accurate. At my most recent annual review I received a rebate of £7.06, less than a £1 a month out, and the DD was frozen. I never need to submit my own reading. I get monthly statements, and they are always real meter readings, never estimates. Since all this is on a cheaper tariff than the one you are paying, I'm quite happy with the arrangement.

chris1973

Yes, roll on smart metering for all areas and across all providers. Unfortunately some areas are still getting to grips with a decent broadband and mobile phone service and switching over to digital TV, so if this metering technology rollout moves at the same pace it might be a while before we are all singing the same praises.

I look forward to the day arriving though, hopefully i'll be still at an age where i'll be able to enjoy the additional freedom it gives.....:)

techno12

Annab1982 wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. I really appreciate your advice and will definitely go down the route of changing to a cheaper tariff. Regarding the dehumidifier, it says on the back the input is 220W. It's one that only switches on when the humidity level goes above a certain point so is not running constantly. It is some thing I would never consider getting rid of, as before we had it our flat was so damp and humid and we constantly had water running down the windows from the condensation!

My dehumidifier is around 250w and it's currently humming away next to me. It switches itself on and off as required, but only during the summer months and during autumn/winter it doesn't switch on at all as I guess the humidity isn't high enough to trigger it.

I agree - I need my dehumidifier (basement flat with little ventilation during the day).

It means my electricity use spikes in summer though, which can confuse nPower's estimates as they seem to oscillate up and down by around £10 every 6 months!

I'm in a 2 bed flat, just me, and use around 10000kwh gas and 2300kwh elec per year. nPower are currently charging me £57 a month but that'll go up in Oct when I revert to the standard Go Save tariff. Just looking online now, if I switch to Sign Online 23 I'll save £150 a year so I'll do just that (and get £20 cashback via MoneySupermarket).