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EDF changed my tariff

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  • renegadefm
    renegadefm Posts: 1,303 Forumite
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    I wasent on holiday. I'm merely saying the electric has cost us £175 since 12th December which is when the smart meter was fitted. Yet this time last year £90 would have lasted this period easily.
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,209 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    renegadefm wrote: »
    Basically since the 12th of December we have spent £175 on electric. When £90 would last a month easily, even at this time of year. So its almost doubled since tarrif change and smart meter.


    That is a period of over 6 weeks...


    Yes it is more, but only around 30% more, most of which is likely to be down to the change in tariff...


    The problem is not the new meter or the old meter based on what you've said so far, it is just that you are on a more expensive tariff now than you were before.


    Personally I'd concentrate on getting onto a better tariff, either with EDF, or by moving to somewhere like Bulb or one of the others with a PAYG tariff, attempts to get changed back to the old style of meter are likely to be futile and just leave you on the expensive tariff while you argue with them about it...
  • Gerry1
    Gerry1 Posts: 10,848 Forumite
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    Stop.gifWith all due respect, you're chasing rainbows, you're in denial, you're confused about your consumption in kWh, and all this nonsense is costing you dearly. You need to reboot your brain !

    Start reading the meter on the wall (not the portable device) at least monthly, and try to obtain past actual kWh readings from EDF if you can (they must be actual, not estimated). Go to the Consumers Association and Which? comparison websites (others probably miss cheap suppliers such as Neon Reef) and switch to a credit tariff paid by direct debit. If you don't still know your annual kWh consumption figures, consider starting off with a variable tariff or one with no exit fee. Never think in terms of monthly DD amounts, always compare the total annual cost.

    If you're worried about a big bill, just ration yourself to an appropriate number of kWh per week and stick to it.

    So to summarise, if you get your act together you can cut your bill significantly, but if you keep banging your head against a brick wall it'll only end in tears...banghead.gif
  • renegadefm
    renegadefm Posts: 1,303 Forumite
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    Gerry1 I'm not in denial at all or chasing rainbows. I have explained my case of this very well I thought.

    I agree its the tarrif which is at fault, not the smart meter itself, but what I was getting at EDF changed it due to the old tarrif didnt work with smart meters, hence why I regret having the smart meter.
    I can only get readings from the portable device, there are no readings on the main meter.
    I have explained I steered away from quarterly bills and direct debts because what kept happening was I was paying a certain amount from the estimates but very often we used more electric and under payed, so would get a shock bill, so my partner suggested we get a prepayment meter and this suited us fine. But since agreeing to have a pay as you go smart meter the money runs out much quicker, what else can I say.

    I am ringing EDF tomorrow to sort something out because this cant go on like this. I will switch if I have to.
  • renegadefm
    renegadefm Posts: 1,303 Forumite
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    Plus how can we ration ourselves, we only use what we have to. We are certainly not wasteful. I always turn things off that dont need to be left on.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 26,612 Forumite
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    Gerry1 wrote: »
    You need to reboot your brain
    Even a cursory glance at the OP's posting history reveals that he's continually yanking the chain of everyone who responds to him. I refer you specifically to his thread about Sky decoders as a perfect example.

    Do not feed.
  • Gerry1
    Gerry1 Posts: 10,848 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    renegadefm wrote: »
    Plus how can we ration ourselves, we only use what we have to. We are certainly not wasteful. I always turn things off that dont need to be left on.
    Effectively you have been rationing yourselves because that's what happens when the pre-payment meter runs out and cuts you off. When you have a credit meter, just pretend it's cut you off when you've used the relevant number of kWh that you've allowed yourself.
    renegadefm wrote: »
    I can only get readings from the portable device, there are no readings on the main meter.
    No sir, you just have to ask it nicely. Search for 'How do I read a <<insert your meter name and model number>> electricity meter?'.
  • renegadefm
    renegadefm Posts: 1,303 Forumite
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    EDF update:
    Just got off the phone to EDF about my tarrif, and the fact that we seem to be using more electric when we know we havent got anything extra using.

    That said it dawned on me the extra appliance we do have constantly plugged in is the smart meter itself, how ironic is that? Imagine the millions of smart meters all left plugged in when we are encouraged to unplug things.

    I put this to the EDF representative and she said the smart meters use very little energy.

    Back to the tarrif situation, she reckons we are now on the best tarrif that EDF provides, but as someone on here mentioned they found it extortionate unit rates.

    So I will be switching, but I cant yet until I recieve my winter credit cheque, if I switch now I would lose it which is £140. Even though by the time I recieve it the winter will be almost over. I told this to the woman but she said the backlog of sending out the cheques is huge.

    Still cant help but think millions of extra smart meters all plugged in peoples homes is an extra appliance being used and using extra energy which cant be good.
  • Swipe
    Swipe Posts: 5,607 Forumite
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    edited 27 January 2020 at 1:49PM
    If, when you say extra appliance you mean the remote in house display for the smart meter, then you are only talking a penny a day extra, even on your tariff.
  • renegadefm
    renegadefm Posts: 1,303 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Right I got a brilliant update.
    Just rang EDF again, they are now admitting it was a mistake changing my tarrif to the Safeguard Assist Capped from the Blue + tarrif when my smart meter was installed, and they will change it back to the Blue + because that shouldn't have run out for me until September 2020, so any over payments I have encountered will be refunded.

    So major result. I do hope other people reads this.
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