Smart meter advice please

sammy_kaye18

Hi guys
I've finally sat and sorted out my debts - the letters are written and ready to be posted and now I'm looking at ways I can cut down my outgoings and I'm wondering if having smart meters will be better.

I currently use payment cards and have arrears on gas and electric after I lost my job.

My gas is £48 a month and I have £361 arrears but I only have gas for the heating and water.
My electric is £87 a month and I have about £800 arrears. We have two lizards too so they run two bulbs each for about 10-12 hours a day.

My husband works from 7.30am until 6.30pm
My son is in school from 7.30 until 4/5pm
My daughter is in school from 8.30 until 4/5pm
It's me in the day by myself so only thing running is computer and lizards. Occasionally the kettle. Obviously fridge freezer. No heating.

Would a smart meter make sense? or do you think it would end up costing me more in the long run?
Is it a better way to save and pay off the arrears?
Any advice and Experiences please both good and bad.

Currently with Swalec for both
X

worried_jim

Won't make any difference. To reduce your bills consume less.

elsien

All a smart meter does is tell you how much you're using.
Having one will make no difference in itself unless you use it to cut down on your usage. Which you can do with your current meter if you want to.

You need to check with your current supplier if they will let you change from your payment card system while you still have arrears and you won't be able to change to another supplier while you still owe them money. How did the arrears arise? You need to know that before working out how to tackle them.

chris_n

Must be high powered lamps for the Lizzards to use that much electricity!