Ridiculously High Tariff?

jackndanni

That is just the problem. Everyone is paying a lot less per kWh and I don't really understand why. To differ to such an extent, more than double in one case and around 8p for the majority begs me to ask the question why? Your absolutely right in saying I should shop around for a better tariff and that is what I will do. I can't really understand why I am a high usage household either but then I wouldn't want to begin to think about finding out how to check that! All I know is when you're paying more than most per kWh it doesn't seem fair?

Wywth

jackndanni wrote: »

The reason I said 'everyone is paying a lower tariff than me' is simply because they are!

We can only work with what you give us, and so far what you have given us does not support this statement, sorry.

chemicalfan

Don't forgot - on pre-payment meters, if you use electric heating, different suppliers will be cheaper than others at different times of the year. In the Winter, a high standing charge is eclipsed by a lower rate (like Spark), whereas when the heating goes off in Summer, other companies like British Gas with a lower standing charge are cheaper.

Are you on Economy 7?

Fire_Fox

jackndanni wrote: »

That is just the problem. Everyone is paying a lot less per kWh and I don't really understand why. To differ to such an extent, more than double in one case and around 8p for the majority begs me to ask the question why? Your absolutely right in saying I should shop around for a better tariff and that is what I will do. I can't really understand why I am a high usage household either but then I wouldn't want to begin to think about finding out how to check that! All I know is when you're paying more than most per kWh it doesn't seem fair?

What has fair got to do with it? Maybe your tariff includes the standing charge and other flats do not? As bill payer you are responsible for using price comparison sites, British Gas charge what they can get away with like all companies - blame Maggie Thatcher for privatising it. Is it fair that Asda charge £1 for 250ml of their basic balsamic vinegar and Aldi charge £1 for 500ml? So half the price for the exact same ingredients.

High usage of electricity is relatively easy to assess and resolve. Energy guzzlers are: heating (especially storage heaters used on day rate E7), hot water (especially power showers or an immersion left on 24/7 on E7), tumble dryers, washing machine hot washes. Insulate the flat, wear more clothing instead of having the heating on too often, turn the thermostat down, have shorter showers, do laundry at night (timer plug) if you have an economy 7 meter tariff, consider a dehumidifier and airer instead of tumble drying.

jackndanni

I don't have a standing charge. I also don't have the heating on that much because I can't afford to and tend to use a small halogen heater if I am really cold.
I am always conscious of the cost when I have my washing machine on. Usually to save on the electric I will hand wash most in the bath and use the washing machine to do the final rinse only. Saves a bit that way you see. I don't have a tumble dryer. I am not on economy 7.
I have already visited a comparison site online and I have an email listing suppliers and their prices charged. Just have to go through it and decide which one is best for me?
Oh and having been in retail for a good few years I am well aware of the variation in prices charged but because we accept that and choose to shop around does not make it right that some retailers do take the proverbial. I am sure you have been charged well over the odds for something in the past? When you found out did you really think 'Oh it's my own fault. I should have shopped around' ... I doubt it!

bob_bank_spanker

I've just put your details into a price comparison site (assuming you're in the Manweb region, which correlates to the price you're paying), and the only cheaper deal is with Spark. Prices elsewhere with a major company are more expensive, so I doubt you're being ripped off.

As for your neighbours, just because you see a lower number on their p/KWh value doesn't mean they are necessarily paying less. What is their standing charge? £100 a year? £200? My advice is to look at your consumption and try and get that down, and possibly switch to Spark, although tread carefully on that one, customer feedback isn't great.

Good Luck :beer:

grahamc2003

You're still on a standard tariff?

Incredible.

If you can post on this BB, you can use a comparison site. There's no need to go through a loist of suppliers and their prices, if you put the correct information into a comparison site, then it will tell you the cheapest. Just check the rates of the one they say is cheapest.

Might as well create a topcashback account too, where I expect you'll also get a cashback for switching through them.

Can you change to an online tariff, which is likely to be the cheaper than prepay?

chemicalfan

I'd guess that if you're on electric heating on a standard tariff (non-E7), you're in a similar boat to me. In which case, in the first instance you should call your current provider (British Gas, in this case) and demand that you are put on their current standard pre-pay tariff - should be 13.6p/unit with 17p/day charge. That should save a bit, and is a quick win. Next up, go to a price comparison website, and get a proper "quote", but weigh up your usage over the year (as in my previous post). Don't assume that the provider it says is cheaper for the year, will be cheaper throughout the year. As you're pre-pay, be careful not to screw yourself over come the winter (i.e. end up in the same boat as you are now)

Wywth

chemicalfan wrote: »

I'd guess that if you're on electric heating on a standard tariff (non-E7), you're in a similar boat to me. In which case, in the first instance you should call your current provider (British Gas, in this case) and demand that you are put on their current standard pre-pay tariff - should be 13.6p/unit with 17p/day charge. That should save a bit, and is a quick win. Next up, go to a price comparison website, and get a proper "quote", but weigh up your usage over the year (as in my previous post). Don't assume that the provider it says is cheaper for the year, will be cheaper throughout the year. As you're pre-pay, be careful not to screw yourself over come the winter (i.e. end up in the same boat as you are now)

I don't think your figures are correct for the Manweb area.

I think the correct price is 22.848 p for the first 180 kWh per quarter, and 14.238 p thereafter

This is what the OP is currently on.
(Btw, I don't think it is available any longer to new applicants either)

SwanJon

Wywth - I think the point was that changing from no standing charge(22.848/14.238 p/kWh) to standing charge (17ppd, 13.6p/kWh) would be cheaper, even though it is with the same supplier.

jackndanni - it looks like you are mixing up the tariff (p/kWh) with how much you are topping up (consumption x p/kWh). The difference between the 22p/kWh and the 14p/kWh is effectively the standing charge, so you need to use the 14p/kWh to compare with your neighbours, and as others have said it compares favourably.

Still, take the advice on how you can cut back on your consumption.

Also remember that your neighbours may be topping up inbetween your visits so it looks as if their credit is dropping more slowly.

Final check - are you absolutely sure it is your meter? I've come across flats with prepayment meters and the tenants had them the wrong way around. Only came to light when one went on holiday!