Electric only

Princecalci

I was transferred across to British Gas as my original provider went bust. I have an electric only deal as I have a LPG supply separately. 

I have tried to setup my account online and contacted British Gas several times  in order for me to see my usage, costs etc but each time I contacted them the issue hasn’t been resolved. I’m paying 21.18p per kw hr and 24.867p per day standing order. 

My average yearly consumption is approx 2900 kw hr. So if I got this right I am likely to pay £704.98 just for electricity without factoring in my gas costs which takes me above the capped rate. 

Why is it that the cap is only for those on mains supply gas and electricity?

I am increasingly frustrated with British Gas customer service as i do not have any visibility on my account and if my credit from the previous supplier has been transferred across.  They cannot tell me this either. 

Any thoughts. 

Thankd

[Deleted User]

Princecalci said:

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My average yearly consumption is approx 2900 kw hr. So if I got this right I am likely to pay £704.98 just for electricity without factoring in my gas costs which takes me above the capped rate. 

Hi,

the cap is for unit price and standing charge, not usage, to get below 'the capped rate' you will need to reduce your annual average usage.

Have a look HERE for transfer news.

Reed_Richards

You misunderstand the "cap"; effectively it's a cap on the unit rate but individual suppliers can vary the unit rate a little by changing the standing charge - all very obtuse.  But if you use a lot of energy you must still pay for a lot of energy.  The cap does not apply to LPG or heating oil.

MWT

Princecalci said:

My average yearly consumption is approx 2900 kw hr. So if I got this right I am likely to pay £704.98 just for electricity without factoring in my gas costs which takes me above the capped rate. 

Why is it that the cap is only for those on mains supply gas and electricity?

From the numbers you gave you are in the South Wales region and your electricity tariff is exactly on the capped limit so nothing wrong with that tariff.

Even if LPG was capped in some way, the amount would be different from the current gas cap so no way to estimate where the cap would be, but as with electricity, the amount you pay is determined by how much you use, the cap does not limit your total bill only the unit and standing charge rates.

Princecalci

I do understand that the more I use the more that I need to pay for. 

I can’t be the only one in the dilemma that lpg and oil are not covered and it feels as if living in a rural location is being penalised just because you don’t fit in a box. 

MWT

Princecalci said:

I can’t be the only one in the dilemma that lpg and oil are not covered and it feels as if living in a rural location is being penalised just because you don’t fit in a box. 

What were you paying for LPG a year ago vs today?

ProDave

Princecalci said:

I do understand that the more I use the more that I need to pay for. 

I can’t be the only one in the dilemma that lpg and oil are not covered and it feels as if living in a rural location is being penalised just because you don’t fit in a box. 

I just looked at the oil price.  All pretty normal when you look at recent years.  I remember some years back paying way more than the present level.    Oil is best bought once a year about August as usually prices are lower in late summer.  At least with oil you are not tied to 1 supplier and each year you can phone all the suppliers and see which one is offering the best price and get them to fill your tank.

dbks

Princecalci said:

...

Why is it that the cap is only for those on mains supply gas and electricity?

...

The cap applies to the default tariff of gas and electricity suppliers.
It was introduced to protect those who do not engage (by seaching out the best deals, and switching/transferring to them) are not overcharged by their supplier.

The cap applies to electricity only, gas only or dual fuel.

Mister_G

ProDave said:

Princecalci said:

I do understand that the more I use the more that I need to pay for. 

I can’t be the only one in the dilemma that lpg and oil are not covered and it feels as if living in a rural location is being penalised just because you don’t fit in a box. 

I just looked at the oil price.  All pretty normal when you look at recent years.  I remember some years back paying way more than the present level.    Oil is best bought once a year about August as usually prices are lower in late summer.  At least with oil you are not tied to 1 supplier and each year you can phone all the suppliers and see which one is offering the best price and get them to fill your tank.

But the OP has LPG not oil.  My bulk LPG has gone up by 15% over the past year to 38ppl.

wittynamegoeshere

...all of which is completely irrelevant!

The suppliers of mains gas and electricity are required to supply at a capped rate.  Suppliers of LPG, oil, coal, wood etc are not regulated, just as suppliers of beer and cars aren't either.  They can charge as much as they like, you can choose whether to buy from them or not.  This is just how the world works!

QrizB

Princecalci said:

Why is it that the cap is only for those on mains supply gas and electricity?

By Act of Parliament, supply of mains gas and electricity is regulated by Ofgem. Ofgem have chosen to impose a cap to prevent the suppliers (particularly the larger ones) exploiting those customers who choose not to switch.
Supply of LPG, oil, logs etc. is not regulated by Ofgem. If you wish this market to be better regulated you should write to your MP.