charges

powerless_2

I changed supplier on 4 Oct.12 to a fixed tariff to Jan.2014. Despite that my balance has gone from £45.99/m credit to £159.77/m debit & monthly dd from £45.99 up to £55 & now £71 the last based on estimated usage covering seasonal fluctuation.
I haven't been with this supplier long enough for a true estimate. The supplier says package is fixed not usage & if I change supplier I have to pay the £159. Also, Energysave website says I should have paid £48/m whereas I have paid £55/m from 4 Feb.13.
Anyone else found fixed tariff doesn't mean a thing?

meggsy

Fixed tariff means exactly that powerless, the unit rates are fixed, you then pay those rates according to your usage and it has been a long cold winter. .

dogshome

It's the price you pay per Kwh used that is Fixed - Use more Kwh and the total on your bill goes up, use less and it comes down.

Not knowing what your annual Kwh consumption is puts you at a disadvantage, and entering monetry values and not Kwh, into a Switchsite such as Energysave, (or any other), never gives an accurate answer

What to do
Do NOT accept bills on Estimated readings - When you get one give the supplier the meter reading and ask for a new bill

You now have bills from Oct 12 to March 13 which show your Gas/Elec Kwh consumptions for the entire 6 month winter period - Add the gas together and the Elec together, then deduct 80% from the gas usage and 20% from the Elec useage - These totals when added to the winter consumption will give you a close figure of what you will use in a complete year

kushy

Yes I agree with dogshome. In my area also unit rate is fixed according to our use age bill is generated.

paulmapp8306

Its not a fixed tariff usually. What they say, is they will be fixed at x% cheaper than the standard - but if the standard goes up so does the "fixed". Your fixing to a % reduction in return for a set length of contract - not (generally) a fixed price for the power. I fell into that trap with nPower, thought I was fixing unit prices until Oct 2013 - but was fixing 6% below standard. Both standard and fixed tariffs went up by 9% on 1 March 2013 - but as the fixed was still 6% below standard there within their rights:(

Also, is your DD set to average out over a year, or are they taking summer and winter usages separately.

I know others will disagree, but £55/month seems very low to me.

macman

'Fixed' mean fixed unit rates, not a fixed monthly DD. It's not like an Indian restaurant with a Sunday 'all you can eat for a tenner' buffet!

powerless_2

I did give readings to ScotsPower from previous supplier(Jul.2011- Sep.12) although when I checked theirs were different (mine: 11356/yr gas;654/yr elec; theirs:1292/yr gas;709/yr elect.)
I have been giving monthly readings. I have never missed a payment.(dd)
I see now from their charts they continued to take dd payments allowing the debit balance to build up until now. Then they have added their estimate of my energy costs for next 12m (£679 incl. VAT less £31 discount) to the £159 debit bal. to request £71/m future dd. £676/yr is £56/m.
On 5 Mar the adviser said winter debit bal is higher reducing in summer. I did not expect a rise because Cheap Energy Club give £48/m on 11356/654 gas/elect.
Now lowest quote is £56/m. ScotsPower did offer to reduce to £65/m but said that is a new loan agreement to help me pay off the debt. I shall change.
ScotsPower est of annual usage seems to prove I haven't used that much more energy to explain the increase as claimed. I am paying more than fixed tariff of £48/m but another member explains fixed tariff.
I don't understand why Cheap Energy Club website quotes same price now as fixed tariff(3.9.12) as it must be based on current prices. Any ideas, pl?
Thanks for info.

dogshome

Hi Powerless
Your Annual consumption figures are unusual - Gas at 11,356 Kwh is quite normal depending on the house, but Elec.at 654 Kwh, or even 800 is astoundingly low

I guess you are on a Dual Fuel tariff, but the discount for this is usually around only £8 or so, so it would be well worth your while visiting a few Switch sites and entering 'Gasonly' supply to get a price for your Gas, and then re-visiting the site and entering 'Electric only' to get a price just for the electric - The chances are you will save money by haveing a different supplier for each fuel
I live in the Easter Region and EBICO would charge me £125 a year for 800 kwh
of Elec - If you are in a different area your price will be different, so check it yourself and compare it with what your annual Elec bill is now

powerless_2

Yes, I am on duel fuel(in s.e). I'm very economical with energy.
Anyway, thanks for advice. I'll certainly follow it.

powerless_2

Hi paulmapp8306
It has been suggested I enquire about separate fuel packages (I'm on duel fuel) as my elec is so low, 654/yr; 11,356 gas).
Next problem is I'm on ScotsPower Online Fixed Price Energy Jan, 14 and the rates/unit on my agreement don't coincide with what my local switch gives as figures for this plan. The nearest I can find in ScotsPower is Online Fixed Price Energy Apr.14 and then it's lower, as you see:
ScotsPower:elec: 21.847p switch:elec: 20.807p
11.836p 10.844p
5.487p 5.226p
gas: 7.504p 7.147p
3.330p 3.171p
There's only a 1p or so difference but it all adds up and I don't see how ScotsPower can give me one price for its fixed plan and give another lesser price to comparison sites. The local switch site negotiated prices through auction but I don't see that makes a difference to basic plans.
Anyway I'm changing because ScotsPower have upped my dd to £71/m, but any explanation would be appreciated.
Thanks for useful info. so far.

Nada666

The difference between the numbers you quote is 5%. So the prices, once you include tax, are the same.