PAYG meters

ADChick

We're moving into our new house next week, and just been on the phone to npower about moving accounts.

They've told me it has a pay as you go meter in there, which I have no idea about, I've never had one before.

I've heard they are more expensive. Will they be willing to move us over to a normal direct debit payment, or is it a lot of work on their part? I can't be doing with having to go out to top my card up to turn the lights on!

HappyMJ

ADChick wrote: »

We're moving into our new house next week, and just been on the phone to npower about moving accounts.

They've told me it has a pay as you go meter in there, which I have no idea about, I've never had one before.

I've heard they are more expensive. Will they be willing to move us over to a normal direct debit payment, or is it a lot of work on their part? I can't be doing with having to go out to top my card up to turn the lights on!

Don't go out then...switch to British Gas and then ask for a home energy top up connector. You then connect it to your computer and top up whenever you want.

The tariff is exactly the same as the standard rate however you don't get any direct debit discounts, dual fuel discount or discounts for paperless statements that a supplier might have given you on a special tariff.

It may cost something to remove the meters...Usually around £50 per meter.

ADChick

To be honest I'd rather just get rid of it and pay for it normally. A lot of people say it's more expensive, you have a standing charge every day for being connected on top of paying for fuel.

Do you think if I rang round about this, a company would do it if I would join them?

HappyMJ

ADChick wrote: »

To be honest I'd rather just get rid of it and pay for it normally. A lot of people say it's more expensive, you have a standing charge every day for being connected on top of paying for fuel.

Do you think if I rang round about this, a company would do it if I would join them?

So does a standard tariff. The charge is exactly the same as a standard tariff. Almost all standard tariffs have a standing charge or the standing charge is recovered by charging more for the first few units used each day which is equal to a standing charge on another suppliers tariff.

The only tariff I know of that does not have a standing charge at all is Ebico. It's also quite a good choice for very low users on prepayment meters.

Yes. British Gas may remove them for free but you will have to have it in for many weeks. It's not something which is done in a few days. You need to pass a credit check and possibly pay a deposit.

Faith177

I don't find mine that more expensive and it's much easier to budget with one and no shocks when the bill comes in. Plus you pay a standing charge everyday on normal payments. *Beat me to it MJ*

I only got mine after British Gas messed my direct debit up so much I ended up £600 in debt with them and it took them 4 months to sort it out when they lost the payment. After that I swore I would never let another utility co touch my bank account.

For a house with 2 adults I pay about £40 a month electric and £20 gas. We have a high energy consumption as the tumble dryer is on every day and we have all manner of gadgets on charge

sheffield_lad

Adchick: if it was me I would want it out. I don't think I could do the hassle of shops or online when for years I am used to a standard dd month in month out.

If it was me I would give the big 6 a call and if you also ask them for their best tariff (online one's), you will also save money. I am sure one of them can take it out for you gratis.

ADChick

Well fair enough if it doesn't cost much, but do you have to go out and keep topping up the card? I don't want to be halfway through cooking my dinner then the house is in darkness!

Faith177

You get £5 emergency credit which can be loaded at any time to tide you over till you top up next.

Plus the display is live so you can always see how much you have left on there. I normally don't let it go lower than £1 but then you just put key in and it will load the emergency credit straight away

HappyMJ

ADChick wrote: »

Well fair enough if it doesn't cost much, but do you have to go out and keep topping up the card? I don't want to be halfway through cooking my dinner then the house is in darkness!

You have to be realistic. Put £100 on it every month (especially this time of year-you can reduce the figure in summer) and it won't need topping up more often than once a month. Some people I know put £10 on it...it lasts 2 maybe 3 days...they've used the emergency credit and they go out again to put another £10 on it. British Gas will give you a connector so you don't need to leave home to top up. You will also have an emergency button on the meter so when it does run out you just press the button for £5 of credit which is repaid the next time you top up.

Richie-from-the-Boro

- if you run out of money its because you didn't store enough in the bank
- if you run out of potatoes its because you didn't store enough
- if you run out of cheap night store heat & water its because you didn't heat-store enough
- if you run out of PAYG its because you didn't store enough on the card in the first place

You are going to use ∓ an average of £1200pa in your new E7 electric only night storage & water flat. That's £23pw, that might equate to ∓ £30+pw in the winter and £10+ in the summer. Do as MJ says and put a month on to start with and see what your actual consumption is and moderate your 'top up' according to your 'monthly' needs.

- or just get rid of the unnecessary burden
- a 'standard tariff' is an expensive tariff
- always around £200pa more than non PAYG
- your good credit rating is your friend
- watch out you are not paying someone else's debts on the PAYG