is it worth putting in a gas/electrics meter

March2012

our bills have been horrendous with scottish power and we owe so much money. i remember reading that a lot of these companies are ripping off people and i would need to review through moneysupermarket etc but what can we do in meantime? thanks !

penrhyn

You thread title is a tad vague. Do you mean that SP are going to install prepayment meters to claw back what you owe them?

Otherwise, to check your bills are reasonable, ask SP, or check your bils for your annual fuel consumption in Kwh and use the figures in a price comparison site.

March2012

as we are awaiting some money to be paid in . they have suggested a prepayment meter so i wonder what peoples thoughts are about it?

penrhyn wrote: »

You thread title is a tad vague. Do you mean that SP are going to install prepayment meters to claw back what you owe them?

Otherwise, to check your bills are reasonable, ask SP, or check your bils for your annual fuel consumption in Kwh and use the figures in a price comparison site.

macman

A PPM (if that is what you are referring to, since you already have meters) will cost you the same as the supplier's Standard rate tariff. It means that you can't access the cheaper online discount tariffs that are available on credit meters.
However if you have fuel bills and debt that you can't manage on a credit meter, then a PPM may be the solution. If you cannot reduce the debt then the supplier will force you to fit a PPM anyway, so the decision will be out of your hands.

Horace

The thing with the utility firms is to provide them with regular meter readings so they don't have to rely on estimated readings. I am with Scottish Power and haven't had any problems with them and I have just set a fixed tariff for my electricity in my flat which will come with me when I move and then gas will be added.

I do know that utility companies can force you to have a prepayment meter if you owe them money.

March2012

or can we switch any time between the different systerms? thanks in advance.

penrhyn

Only when you have paid off what you owe. Even then the Utility would probably insist on an upfront payment and a credit check.