British gas

dawn0970

I moved to British Gas last October because they were the best deal on the comparison site.  Gas and electricity usage went up at home because of Covid and working from home.  I have recently renewed with Pure energy and I am now facing a £328 bill from British Gas but what I can't understand is why they didn't increase my monthly DD's to incorporate the extra usage when we are on smart meters.  Does anyone have any advice, it also seems impossible to actually speak to anyone at British gas.  

Robin9

You need to take some responsibility for this.   

You say Smart - were these meters actaully working in Smart mode or had they gone dumb requiring you to take meter redings.

Did BG send you statements during the last 12 months ?   If so those would have been showing that your debt was increasing and you could have increased your payments.

PS Dual fuel is generally not the best option.

dawn0970

They only invoice every 6 months which is when the increase happened after the last bill. How is it they had a reading in June but never contacted me unlike when I was with Octopus energy previously they increased my installments. TBH I do take responsibility of this but like everyone else in the world I've had a lot on my plate this year trying to make ends meet so apologies 

Robin9

These tariffs which only have 3 or 6 monthly statements do seem to cause some problems - I prefer the monthly ones and even better those like Octopus who produce updated statements within minutes of you giving readings. They may not always the best for money saving but can help those people who find budgeting difficult.

milgo

Is the amount that they are asking you to pay correct? 

[Deleted User]

How have you been trying to contact them? (which channel(s)?

dogshome

6 monthly billing should be Outlawed by Ofgem - It not only catches out customers such as the OP, with an expensive bill that could have been negated by a D/Debit increase triggered by more frequent billing - It's Dangerous, and yet the big boys such as BG  and EDF are doing it to gain a tiny percentage on the profit margin.

Gas does leak and on this site there are numerous reports of it going un-noticed by the householder until the Bill arrives

Smart Gas meters particularly can go rogue and record phantom useage

Domestic appliances such as Fridges & Freezers, can partially fail and consume enormous amounts of energy, yet this can go on for up to 6 months before the customer realises there is a problem