help with Newb!

CaptainYid

I've been living on my own for about two years now, and I have both my gas and electricity on pre-pay for better budget handling on my side.

I received a letter from my energy supplier (SSE) saying that my prices were going up and a new standing charge was being introduced.

i rang SSE to help explain it and details on what i was using, the new prices and how/if i could save.

i was told my standing charge is £100 per year per fuel. and that in the last year I've used £40 gas (electric oven, never use the heating because it gives me headaches and turn off the hot water as soon as I've finished using it), and £160 on electricity in the 11 months I've been living where I am.

they also told me that the new charges stand at 13.99p per kWh (was 15.75) for electric and 4.652p per kWh (was 8.329) on the gas.

the guy on the phone did some quick calculations and said id be basically paying about an extra £55 on the electric and about £100 on my gas.

I know I cant get around the standing charge, but what would people recommend I do? look for a new supplier with cheaper rates and change or stay? its all another language to me on this.

sorry for all the information, want to make sure everything is there for any advice given.

Nada666

Take your annual consumptions in kWh and head off to a comparison site (such as uswitch.com or energyhelpline.com) and plug in your numbers.

When checking results make sure you look at the electricity only and gas only sums on the results pages as well as the default dual fuel options. You are most likely to find the cheapest option having each fuel with a separate supplier.

For example, Ebico supply a tariff with no standing charge - with your usage they (or Utility Warehouse) are likely to be your best bet for gas. Look around the other suppliers' results for the cheapest electricity. (Possible options - npower Price Fix Apr 2015 or Price Protector Dec 2017).

You should also write to Ofgem to complain about their contempt for your situation.

macman

What sort of heating gives you headaches? If gas, this could indicate a CO build up-do you have a CO detector?