SSE just doubled DD based on estimated usage

ScottishSaver14

Hi all,

Basically SSE have changed our direct debit effective immediately from £27 for gas and £37 for electricity per month to £49 and £59 based on our estimated usage.

Our contract with them began in September 2018. The usage is for a 2 bed flat. We turn light switches off at the wall, are careful with lights and don't overuse heating and have recorded meter readings successfully for the past 4 months after a tech error meant previous ones weren't recorded.

I honestly cannot think of any other way we can cut down. Is there something big that we might not have thought of that is a particular electricity guzzler?

We rent our flat, and the fridge is pretty noisy and old. But would it make THAT much of a difference? At the end of our last tenancy on the same rate, we were in credit on both accounts.

Is this normal??

Thanks for any insight!

ScottishSaver14

Sorry...the new electricity DD is £57 and gas is £49

Thanks

Robin9

The clue is in the opening sentence of your post -- ESTIMATED.

Can we have your meter readings from when you moved in and of today please.

I hope you have been providing SSE with actual monthly readings otherwise SSE are guessing about consumption and therefore guessing about the DD.

Cardew

It is very difficult to estimate annual consumption on a winter period from September to May? Obviously from now to your Aniversary in September the bills will be much lower.


Of course the increased estimated DDs are only to bring your account back to a zero balance - they are not an indication of annual consumption.

JJ_Egan

Key is monthly meter readings to keep the DD in line with usage .

The_Fat_Controller

Did the estimates leave you in arrears when they finally produced a bill from actual readings ?

Maverock

You are rather much cheaper than Fischer Energy who, up until today were charging me £111.70 for heating a one bedroom flat!
But it is now much worse. Today they have e-mailed me to say that my DD will now change to £170.82!


Please note, since I started with this company I think ALL of my bills are estimated.


I am a pensioner and these bills are causing me hardship.



I have informed them time and time again that I am unable to read my meter because of eyesight problems but they, despite constantly telling me they will send someone out to read the meter fail to do so.
I am seriously considering approaching Citizens Advice to see if they can help.

Robin9

Maverock - have you a family member who could read your meters for you ?

Will Fischer instal a Smart meter for you?

You may have seen the many, many threads on Fischer on this forum -

dogshome

ScottishSaver 14
Elec

Your daily Elec consumption remains the roughly same over the year, with a small uplift in Winter as you turn the lights on earlier - You have the figures for the last 4 months, so predict what the next 8 months will be and it's cost to check if SSE's demand is justified


Gas
The BIG Bills are for the heating over the late Autumn / Winter / Spring.
We are now at the watershed where the heating won't be needed until next September, so the gas will only be used for Showers/Baths.
Work out the billing since the Start in Sept 2018, and calculate just 15%
for the rest of the year till next Sept, then check if SSE's demand is accurate


GIVE SSE MONTHLY READINGS

dogshome

Maverock


You need to be on the "PRIORITY SERVICES REGISTER" which means that the supplier must read your meter on a regular basis.



As you say that you have already told Fischer of your sight problem, they should have put you on it immediately, but Fischer have a reputation for being more interested in the money than abiding by customer service rules


You need to inform them in WRITING - An Email will do but a letter is better

Hasbeen

ScottishSaver14 wrote: »

Hi all,

Basically SSE have changed our direct debit effective immediately from £27 for gas and £37 for electricity per month to £49 and £59 based on our estimated usage.

Our contract with them began in September 2018. The usage is for a 2 bed flat. We turn light switches off at the wall, are careful with lights and don't overuse heating and have recorded meter readings successfully for the past 4 months after a tech error meant previous ones weren't recorded.

I honestly cannot think of any other way we can cut down. Is there something big that we might not have thought of that is a particular electricity guzzler?

We rent our flat, and the fridge is pretty noisy and old. But would it make THAT much of a difference? At the end of our last tenancy on the same rate, we were in credit on both accounts.

Is this normal??

Thanks for any insight!

Why do you not give them monthly readings on your online account. Then there will no need for them to guess what you are using