Changing tariff?

Firsttimebuyer2021

Hi everyone, 

I am trying to help my mum with her energy usage and costs before i move out. She is currently on a Scottish Power - Pay as you Go tariff and has been since i believe 2008 after a divorce. Ever since she has always remained on this payment option and tariff knowing she was paying a premium for it. Now however i am trying to cut costs as best as possible and was wondering if it was the right time to go for a fix with a pay on receipt of bill before the changes on the 1st April happen?

Her breakdown details from what i can find are ;

12 month energy usage 
Electric - 6,279 kWh
Gas  - 11,391 kWh

Electric standing charge - 29.23p a day
Gas standing charge  - 35.14p a day

Electric unit cost - 20.05p
Gas unit cost  - 3.95p 

Thank you in advance for any advice given!

emmajones1976

That looks like the variable rate, so she isnt being ripped off.

Firsttimebuyer2021

emmajones1976 said:

That looks like the variable rate, so she isnt being ripped off.

Yes its a variable rate, I believe she thought you paid more for being a PAYG user. is this not the case? I am just trying to work out if its going to be worth the cost for fixing the now on a different payment plan perhaps Direct Debit or Pay on receipt of the bill before everything rises or waiting patiently. 

jimjames

Firsttimebuyer2021 said:

emmajones1976 said:

That looks like the variable rate, so she isnt being ripped off.

Yes its a variable rate, I believe she thought you paid more for being a PAYG user. is this not the case? I am just trying to work out if its going to be worth the cost for fixing the now on a different payment plan perhaps Direct Debit or Pay on receipt of the bill before everything rises or waiting patiently. 

No it's not the case. She may get a marginally lower price by paying by DD but that's not the same as going for a fixed rate

QrizB

Firsttimebuyer2021 said:

emmajones1976 said:

That looks like the variable rate, so she isnt being ripped off.

Yes its a variable rate, I believe she thought you paid more for being a PAYG user. is this not the case? I am just trying to work out if its going to be worth the cost for fixing the now on a different payment plan perhaps Direct Debit or Pay on receipt of the bill before everything rises or waiting patiently. 

PAYG customers get a slightly higher standing charge but the unit rates are almost identical. She could save about 14p/day by switching to DD.

Gerry1

She's doing something seriously wrong: electricity more than twice the average usage, gas less than the average.

Is she using an electric shower, or the immersion heater?  Both are a big No-No if you have gas.

Similarly, is she using any electric room heating?  Electric towel rail left on permanently?

markin

Electric - 6,279 kWh, The average is 3000KWh for a home with Gas, is the an electric heat somewhere, pond or you a heavy gamer?