[Student] How good is Scottish Power?

simmed

Well we're students in a house of 6. I'm in charge of energy and gas (yeah, the big cash sink utility, great). We're on Scottish Power. Is there anything we should be aware of? Any ways to save as we will be using a lot of elec + gas (6 laptops on constantly, 6 of us getting a shower every day, lots of cooking, etc)?

Also I need to call them. I just tried inputting the meter reading online and the reading that I just took for the gas is 40m^3 less than the "actual" meter reading that they have online (and it wouldn't let me put it in because of this).

Also what is the best way to pay them? Ideally paying in bulk sums now and then would be the best way, because then I can collect cash from everyone else living here, and keep everything organised.

dogshome

Hmmm - With your name on the bills you have been co-opted into the "Hot" seat - If any of the others fail to come up with their share of the money, it's you SP will come after.

Regarding the gas meter reading being less than SP's - PHOTO the meter with a copy of that days paper in view and send it to SP with a snail-mail-letter headed Complaint

As a 'new' account SP will have you on the "Standard" tariff which is the most expensive, whilst the cheapest tariffs require payment by Direct Debit and Online billing
You need to visit the Switch sites, (I recommend 'switchwithwhich'), but to do so you need this dwellings annual Gas & Elec consumptions in Kwh, so phone SP and ask what they were for the previous year.

How you handle the dues of the other 5 is up to you, but I would ask for a weekly payment by cash or cheque so that I'd know almost immediately if someone was failing to keep up.

jalexa

simmed wrote: »

Also I need to call them. I just tried inputting the meter reading online and the reading that I just took for the gas is 40m^3 less than the "actual" meter reading that they have online (and it wouldn't let me put it in because of this).

That's a worry, it suggests that the previous occupier's account hasn't been closed to an actual reading. What I mean is may not even be closed. How/when exactly did you contact Scottish Power to setup your customer account? Were you not asked on that occasion for your opening reading?

Scottish_Power

Hi simmed,

Regarding teh gas meter reading if you e-mail me your details and the current reading to [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] I will sort this out for you. It is likely that the previous tennats final account was estimated.

Kind regards

Graeme @ ScottishPower