Very confused

Jenny_Summers

I hope this is in the right place, apologies if not.

I’m trying to switch to a cheaper energy supplier but don’t seem to be able to access the information I need in order to feel like I’m making an informed choice.

My supplier is boost, my tariff is the Smart PAYG+ Variable

Electricity standing charge:
27.84p/day

Electricity day rate:
19.65p/kWh

Electricity night rate:
11.82p/kWh

My usage seems to have skyrocketed in the last few months from around the £50-55 mark to last month £160 and this month looks like it’ll be around the same.

It’s a 2 bed flat, electric only, immersion and storage heaters. There are 3 of us me, OH and our 1 year old, I work from home so am at home all day, my iMac is always on, but I don’t really run anything else during the day, OH gets up silly early for work so washing is (helpfully loaded and ready for him to hit start before work), only done on the cheaper rate pre 7am, we don’t use a tumble dryer, the storage heaters are off most of the year but at the minute are on, though never on more than half way, we’re conscious about turning off lights, not leaving things running etc, so I feel like the only way we can really save on our electric is to switch.

BUT.... I only have the monetary usage figures, I haven’t a clue how much we use during the day vs at night or even how much we use in unit terms at all, so I’m scared to switch incase I mess up basically. I did phone boost who said they don’t routinely supply these figures to their smart PAYG+ customers and would have to raise a query to see if it was even possible!

I’m normally a kick-!!! bargain hunter, but knowing what I’m paying but not what exactly I’m paying for makes me really nervous.

Am I being over cautious? Is there a way to find out the usage in a unit amount of rather than just a how much it costs me amount? Or do I not need to know it at all and have got so caught up in it I can’t see the bigger picture?

Help!

Streaky_Bacon

You should still be able to get meter readings manually from the meter.

If you provide the make/model number of the meter somebody will be able to tell you how to read it (or you can search online, such as "how do I read {model no} meter"

You can then use an online tool to do a comparison, such as

https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk

you can also enter monetary values to get an idea, but accurate usage would be best

I had a quick look and found these as an example, both of which would better than what you are on, regardless of your usage

Bulb - Vari-Fair Prepayment

Unit rate - 15.677p per kWh
Night unit rate - 8.379p per kWh
Standing charge - 26.56p per day


Nabuh Energy - Lizzy Tariff (12 Month Fixed)

Unit rate - 14.459p per kWh
Night unit rate - 8.925p per kWh
Standing charge - 27.60p per day

Joe9090

The links below give you an idea of running costs for your storage and immersion heaters, the reason for the skyrocketing cost in December

https://www.sust-it.net/storage-heater-energy-calculator.php?fu=12&cu=uk

https://www.sust-it.net/immersion-heater-energy-calculator.php

matelodave

It's easy to read the meter, most have a simple numerical display but if you are having problems, put a piccy up and someone will give you some advice.
You should be reading you meter at least once a month, sending the info into the supplier and checking that your bills are based on actual readings rather than estimates. If you are doing that then you'd know how much energy you were using.
You should also make sure that the correct day/night readings are being charged for the day & night tariffs. It's not uncommon for them to get swapped over

As others have said, it's the winter so you'll use a lot more energy in the winter than you do in the summer - our summer consumption is around 300kwh a month (£35) but in December and January it can get up to 1200 a month (£135).

It would help your bills by getting onto a better tariff - your night rate is the same as my single rate, your day rate is excessively high and even your standing charge is 13p.day (£47/year) more than mine. If I were on the same tariff as you I'd be spending over £300 a year more for my leccy.

Gerry1

You're paying a hefty premium for pre-payment. Switch to a credit meter but make sure you know how direct debits work.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/#whatyoupay

Read the meters and set a weekly kWh limit if you're worried about unexpectedly large bills.

Make sure your immersion heater is switched on only during the cheap rate period and that any Boost switch is off.

FreeBear

Jenny_Summers wrote: »

I did phone boost who said they don’t routinely supply these figures to their smart PAYG+ customers and would have to raise a query to see if it was even possible!

It is your data and you have every right to it. Raise a query with Boost to see if they will play ball. If they end up refusing your request, raise a formal complaint in writing (and headed as such). If they still won't play ball, lodge a complaint with the ICO and perhaps with OFGEM (via the Energy Ombudsman).

Gerry1

Jenny_Summers wrote: »

I did phone boost who said they don’t routinely supply these figures to their smart PAYG+ customers and would have to raise a query to see if it was even possible!

Just submit a Subject Access Request.

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-do-i-make-a-subject-access-request

Richie-from-the-Boro

Jenny_Summers.

Like many you pocket summer savings and can't cope with winter costs. My annual water/room heating is:

- 8500kWh pa total
- £1100pa average over 10 years
- 60% cheap night 30% expensive day

This is the way to understand your bill/costs. Best deal/tariff for your water & room heating needs/online account/you submit 6 weekly regular meter reads. I use CAC:

- divide annual kWh by 12
- pay 1/12th DD budget
- no arrears, no worries

Best of luck.