FTB Question about monthly bills

Sprigg

Hello. Sorry for a potentially really dumb question. My partner and I are first time buyers and just got the keys to our home. Setting up utilities (Scottish power) and have a question.

So we have a quote of what it'll be monthly based on the previous sellers usage (they said it was pretty high) and it's direct debit payment. Am I right in saying that once we start doing our own meter readings the monthly payments will lower. Or are we locked in to paying £160 a month and anything over what we use will be credit?

I asked on the phone and she said we could manually change the direct debits ourselves, so I think it means the quote isn't what we actually pay monthly. (Based on our own usage)

Sorry again for stupid question.

worrywart_3

It’s an estimate if you use less you will build up credit which you can ask for back and lower your direct debit bare in mind prices are increasing and make sure you go on the standard variable rate. 

Verdigris

If you can manually alter the amount I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on the bills and adjust accordingly. Remember that you'll use more during the winter months, so leave a bit of credit so you won't get any nasty shocks later.

As a new consumer on a "deemed supplier" you should have been put on the Ofgem capped SVT (standard variable tariff). That is the best deal available, from anybody, at the moment. Don't get talked into any fixed deal for the moment. The cap will be reset, almost certainly higher, in April. Review the situation then.

Enjoy your new home!

EssexHebridean

Assuming you don’t have smart meters, then it may well be worth you doing meter readings more often than monthly for your first few months in the property too - and using a app of some description to track use might also be helpful for you. I use the “Meter Readings” app by Graham Haley which I believe is still available on iOS - but not android I’m afraid. 

Congratulations on your new home! 🏡 

Merlin139

Submit readings once a week. The more readings they have the better picture they will get of your usage.

Confirm with Scottish Power what the rates are for your Gas and Electric on the SVR along with daily standing charges.

With the above you can keep a spreadsheet with your usage and you can work out what you have used money wise.

Reed_Richards

If the previous residents were on a fixed rate tariff then it is very likely that they signed-up for this when utility prices were lower and you will pay more per month than they did for the same usage.

There are some reports on this forum of Scottish Power representatives giving misinformation to customers or potential customers.  Don't agree it go on any fixed rate tariff, just supply them with meter readings on the day you move in.     

Verdigris

Up until recently, there were some very competitive tariffs if you agreed to install smart meters. I doubt they are available at the moment but it would be worth considering if they genuinely are cheaper. Much easier to see where you money is going, too.

Sprigg

Reed_Richards said:

If the previous residents were on a fixed rate tariff then it is very likely that they signed-up for this when utility prices were lower and you will pay more per month than they did for the same usage.

There are some reports on this forum of Scottish Power representatives giving misinformation to customers or potential customers.  Don't agree it go on any fixed rate tariff, just supply them with meter readings on the day you move in.     

Thanks all! Unfortunately I think we might have been done like this too. They didn't say anything about sticking with the last owners rate. They made it out to be a new account and new rate to be put on and I sadly don't know much about it and was confused by research. We (stupidly by sounds of it) went fixed rate but there's no exit fee. 

The rep on the phone did say it seemed like it was more people (it was a family of four) and that they were potentially in all day based off their usage and said it would likely be cheaper for us. Wil have to wait and see!

Sprigg

Verdigris said:

Up until recently, there were some very competitive tariffs if you agreed to install smart meters. I doubt they are available at the moment but it would be worth considering if they genuinely are cheaper. Much easier to see where you money is going, too.

Unfortunately they're not available in our area yet but have registered interest in one!

Sprigg

EssexHebridean said:

Assuming you don’t have smart meters, then it may well be worth you doing meter readings more often than monthly for your first few months in the property too - and using a app of some description to track use might also be helpful for you. I use the “Meter Readings” app by Graham Haley which I believe is still available on iOS - but not android I’m afraid. 

Congratulations on your new home! 🏡 

Thank you! I was thinking of doing this, should we input it weekly into the Scottish power account app too? Or just monthly for the actual account?

wild666

To lower your bills turn everything off that you're not using, Desktop, Laptop, printer, external HDD, stereo, TV, DVD player, games console, charging leads, smart speakers, shower, extractor fans, cooker, washer, dishwasher, microwave and any other appliance that doesn't need to be on 24/7. Three appliances that need to be on 24/7 are fridge, freezer and the router if you stream content whilst in bed. 
Doing this can save hundreds of kWh per year and over £100 off the yearly electric bill.
Reduce the temperature on the heating thermostat to 20 or lower, mines set to 18 degrees, although the daughter increases it when she comes to clean for me.