Problems with E-ON

macman

Your objections to 'smart meters going wrong' are groundless. The major problem is that, unless it is SMETS2, it may revert to being a dumb meter if you switch supplier. In which case, you will still be in no worse a position than you are now, with your existing dumb meter.
If you had a smart meter, you wouldn't be overpaying on a DD account, as your readings would be transmitted regularly.
And no, there are no comp sites that I know of that have a 'tin hat' filter...

FiestaRed

macman said:

Your objections to 'smart meters going wrong' are groundless. The major problem is that, unless it is SMETS2, it may revert to being a dumb meter if you switch supplier. In which case, you will still be in no worse a position than you are now, with your existing dumb meter.
If you had a smart meter, you wouldn't be overpaying on a DD account, as your readings would be transmitted regularly.
And no, there are no comp sites that I know of that have a 'tin hat' filter...

Can I just ask, are you saying that if I have a Smart Meter, I only pay for what I have used rather than a fixed monthly sum?

Robin9

FiestaRed said:

..

Can I just ask, are you saying that if I have a Smart Meter, I only pay for what I have used rather than a fixed monthly sum?

Whatever meter you have you pay for what you use. Smart meters are no different.  

Are you still thinking that a DD is all you can eat ?

Gerry1

FiestaRed said:

macman said:

Your objections to 'smart meters going wrong' are groundless. The major problem is that, unless it is SMETS2, it may revert to being a dumb meter if you switch supplier. In which case, you will still be in no worse a position than you are now, with your existing dumb meter.
If you had a smart meter, you wouldn't be overpaying on a DD account, as your readings would be transmitted regularly.
And no, there are no comp sites that I know of that have a 'tin hat' filter...

Can I just ask, are you saying that if I have a Smart Meter, I only pay for what I have used rather than a fixed monthly sum?

Sounds like you want a Variable Direct Debit, not a Fixed Direct Debit.  Unfortunately, not all suppliers offer this.

However you pay, you still only pay for what you use* (that's why everyone has a meter), but FDD smooths out the peaks and troughs.  Some people like the simplicity of VDD, which is like filling up at the petrol pump; a long journey soon gives a big bill, so with VDD you'll have big bills in winter and small ones in summer.  Others like the predictability paying the same each month.

Whatever you choose, it's always very important to send monthly readings otherwise you're likely to get Bill Shock when the underpayments catch up with you and your DD is hiked to reflect higher than expected usage and to claw back the arrears.

*Plus the standing charges, of course.

FiestaRed

A number of years ago I had a DD with a fixed standing charge every month. This fixed charge took out far more from my bank than my energy cost for that year. Making it worse, it was a big struggle getting the overpayment back which is why I started paying when the bill arrived.
Fixed Direct Debits and Variable Direct Debits are both mentioned as well as comments like "Are you still thinking DD is all you can eat" make me even more confused. All I want to do is pay for the energy I use each month with the problems of having to try and recover any overpayment.

Gerry1

FiestaRed said:

Fixed Direct Debits and Variable Direct Debits are both mentioned as well as comments like "Are you still thinking DD is all you can eat" make me even more confused. All I want to do is pay for the energy I use each month with the problems of having to try and recover any overpayment.

The 'All You Can Eat' remarks simply mean that you can't agree to a Fixed Direct Debit of say £50 every month and then turn the heating to maximum and leave it on 24/7 together with all the lights.  Your Fixed Direct Debit is based on what you tell the supplier you expect to use in a year, and, not surprisingly, if your meter shows you're using more than that amount then you'll have to pay for the extra usage.

A Variable Direct Debit is what you are seeking.  You send a meter reading, that triggers a bill based on what you've used and that amount is then collected by Direct Debit.  Same thing happens next time, but because the usage will vary each time then so will the Direct Debit.  You just need to keep an eye on the Direct Debit notifications and make sure there's enough in your bank account to pay them.

Hasbeen

FiestaRed said:

A number of years ago I had a DD with a fixed standing charge every month. This fixed charge took out far more from my bank than my energy cost for that year. Making it worse, it was a big struggle getting the overpayment back which is why I started paying when the bill arrived.
Fixed Direct Debits and Variable Direct Debits are both mentioned as well as comments like "Are you still thinking DD is all you can eat" make me even more confused. All I want to do is pay for the energy I use each month with the problems of having to try and recover any overpayment.

Then look at the providers who do variable direct debits? Some info on VDD:

https://help.shellenergy.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360001033877-The-variable-Direct-Debit

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/monthly-variable-direct-debit/

https://help.cheapenergyclub.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000355288-What-does-monthly-variab

FiestaRed

Gerry1 said:

 Your Fixed Direct Debit is based on what you tell the supplier you expect to use in a year, and, not surprisingly, if your meter shows you're using more than that amount then you'll have to pay for the extra usage.
Variable Direct Debit is what you are seeking.  You send a meter reading, that triggers a bill based on what you've used and that amount is then collected by Direct Debit.  Same thing happens next time, but because the usage will vary each time then so will the Direct Debit.  You just need to keep an eye on the Direct Debit notifications and make sure there's enough in your bank account to pay them.

I would have thought that if it was a "Smart Meter" it would take out of your bank money to cover the cost of the energy you had used in the previous month. Obviously taking out more in the winter months.
Thanks to everyone for all the help. I'll start making changes and move into the current century.

Gerry1

FiestaRed said:

Gerry1 said:

 Your Fixed Direct Debit is based on what you tell the supplier you expect to use in a year, and, not surprisingly, if your meter shows you're using more than that amount then you'll have to pay for the extra usage.
Variable Direct Debit is what you are seeking.  You send a meter reading, that triggers a bill based on what you've used and that amount is then collected by Direct Debit.  Same thing happens next time, but because the usage will vary each time then so will the Direct Debit.  You just need to keep an eye on the Direct Debit notifications and make sure there's enough in your bank account to pay them.

I would have thought that if it was a "Smart Meter" it would take out of your bank money to cover the cost of the energy you had used in the previous month.

Yes, you'd think so, but that would be far too logical.  Many energy companies only offer Fixed Direct Debit, often using it to boost their cash flow by making sure it always has a healthy credit balance.

FiestaRed

A bit more if anyone can help? Today's Newsletter mentions "BRITISH GAS (newbies). Cheap Big 6 fix, lasts 14mths".  Does the newbies bit mean completely new to British Gas as in never used them before or new from another supplier?