Energy bill doubled in price recently issue !

twang72

Tried a comparision tool just now and few options popped up with savings of £329 per year, even one from BG oddly. It was called Energy Plus Protection Green Aug 2020v2 tarif.

But this is odd 3 different BG agents looked at my tariffs and attempted to save me money by looking at other tariffs and home improvements but despite lowering it tempory it only made the end tariff go to that higher almost double amount so am skeptical about the short term savings, it seems later on with natural adjustments my acc flags up and says not paying enough.

Gerry1

Use Citizens Advice because it includes smaller suppliers such as Symbio.

Robin9

Just do your own sums.

Take an ACTUAL reading from about 12 months ago, today's reading and calculate your consumption. From your bill you know your tariff and standing charge and VAT.

Repeat the exercise with the tariff etc from the suggested suppliers.

If it helps give us your figures.

D_M_E

When the smart meter was installed, there should have been a yellow card left in the meter box somewhere near the meter, or tucked behind it, which will have the reading from the old meter and the start meter from the new meter on it.

Is there such a card?

Have you been supplying the KwH readings from the IHD and not the meter?

If so then this could be part of the problem, particularly if BG cannot get a good signal to read the smart capability.

twang72

Robin9 wrote: »

Please let us know what saving you achieve.

In seeking comparisons use actual consumption in kwh - not what you used to pay in £ or number of rooms.

You may find more savings if you have different suppliers for electric and gas.

Tried the Citizens compare tool and entered 2018s yearly kwh for gas (15995kwh) and elec (4012) to compare with my current BG fixed tariff of home energy fixed till march 2021.

It reports this:

you could save £504.72 a year by switching today
Based on the information you provided we estimate your current annual energy spend is £1,558.32


But never heard of these companies before, British gas shows up with a different named tariff called Energy plus protection green Aug 2020v2 and save £364 per year.

Sounds bit too good to be true if I can save £500 or £364 with own provider per year surely ? not unless my current tariff is very high in cost, I don't know.

twang72

D_M_E wrote: »

When the smart meter was installed, there should have been a yellow card left in the meter box somewhere near the meter, or tucked behind it, which will have the reading from the old meter and the start meter from the new meter on it.

Is there such a card?

Have you been supplying the KwH readings from the IHD and not the meter?

If so then this could be part of the problem, particularly if BG cannot get a good signal to read the smart capability.

ill double check in case its tucked up in there somewhere, the smart meters done all the work i can only find one time last 3 years where its shown an estimated or customer read meter readings in my history so I think its been fine 99% of time.

Gerry1

twang72 wrote: »

Sounds bit too good to be true if I can save £500 or £364 with own provider per year surely ? not unless my current tariff is very high in cost, I don't know.

You've just learned the hard way that loyalty doesn't pay.

Forget the claimed savings, just compare the results with the annual cost of your existing tariff rates. Obviously, take into account any exit charges and that a variable tariff could see price rises.

Robin9

twang72 wrote: »

Sounds bit too good to be true if I can save £500 or £364 with own provider per year surely ? not unless my current tariff is very high in cost, I don't know.

Have a look at your last bill - it will give you the name of the tariff and details of any exit charges. It will also give the p/kwh and standing charges .

If you are on the standard tariff suh savings are possible.

As Gerry1 said - Loyalty doesn't pay.

Robin9

Just putting your 15995/4012 figures into the Cheap Energy Club gives on BG's Standard Tariff (which I think you are on) £756/£824 = £1580

Towards the top of the list for both Gas and Electric is SSE and gives a saving of £214/£200 There are others - watch out for variable and fixed.

Plus cash back of £12.50 per fuel.

It's a no brainer.

PS both your gas and electric consumptions are on the high side of normal and there may be more savings to be made adjusting temperatures, cutting back on the time in the shower.

PPS Are you sure you've resolved the original title of the thread "Doubled in Price recently" ?

PPS BG Energy Plus Protection Green Aug 2020v2 will also save you £414 plus Cash Back

twang72

def on BG home energy fixed till march 2021 tariff, am quite surprised BG agents didnt spot cheaper tariffs but yeah looks like that Energy plus protection green aug 2020v2 is good.

Ok thanks for all the help gonna see about switching and dig further into comparisons and will check for any exit fees, have also reduced my boiler temps see if it helps a bit more.