Topping up Gas Metre before price rise?

sheena_sunshine

In Northern Ireland, my gas went up about 30% in April/May.  It is going up around another 20% on 22 Oct and government announced today it could go up another 50% by December. 

I have a prepaid metre and have topped it up on a few occasions this month with the hope that I will make the saving before the hike.   Does anyone know if this actually works? 

I know it doesn't work for electricity - you top up in £s using a top up code.  When there is a price hike, you input a longer than normal numeric code with your next top following price hike.  This updates it with the new unit rate.  With gas however you are purchasing cubic metres at their current value.  

Thanks,

Sheena

[Deleted User]

Credit meter consumers are billed on meter readings. The supplier will estimate a meter reading (based on the time since the last actual meter reading and historic usage) for the date on which the tariff changes. I cannot see why this would be any different for a prepayment meter.

Neil_Jones

sheena_sunshine said:

In Northern Ireland, my gas went up about 30% in April/May.  It is going up around another 20% on 22 Oct and government announced today it could go up another 50% by December. 

I have a prepaid metre and have topped it up on a few occasions this month with the hope that I will make the saving before the hike.   Does anyone know if this actually works? 

I know it doesn't work for electricity - you top up in £s using a top up code.  When there is a price hike, you input a longer than normal numeric code with your next top following price hike.  This updates it with the new unit rate.  With gas however you are purchasing cubic metres at their current value.  

Thanks,

Sheena

You can top it up, but doesn't affect the basic fact you will still be charged for the new unit rates from the time they apply.  The meter will probably use the old rates in the short term but when you top up again, it'll be told about the new rates then.

Of course if its a smart meter (in prepay mode) you have it's moot anyway because the new rates will probably be pushed automatically.