Firmus & SSE gas increase NI

retro1981

I'd been wondering if topping up in advance definitely means you save money by obtaining units at a lower rate. I was previously with firmus but switched to SSE in Feb 2021 and they produce a statement. I've had 1 so far in Nov 2021, and they split the usage across the 3 rates on my statement, even though I topped up in the cheapest/earliest of those 3. So I have been questioning how the charges actually work. Does anyone know? MSE posted this article but it does not include NI:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/02/prepay-for-your-energy--you-could-keep-today-s-cheaper-rates-for/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=news&source=FBORG-NEWS&utm_content=1647260328

donnac2558

I believe the other year on here, someone asked the same question when a price hike was coming?    It might have been back in 2020?   Something about you could only put so much in?

I have an easy saver card, don't have to input anything into the meter, just when the bill arrives I am usually in credit.  Been asked a number of times over the years how I got one?  I asked when the NIHE put the gas in and Phoenix sent me one.

JackWhiteWhite

retro1981 said:

they split the usage across the 3 rates on my statement, even though I topped up in the cheapest/earliest of those 3.

So, did you have to pay extra to cover the difference? 

twobins

I'm with SSE. I rang before the last price increase and was told 1800 units is the most the meter will take I topped up by just over £800 and have about 200 units left. That was from 19 Sept last year to now. I'm going to do the same again this week and reckon this time it will cost over £1000 to bring it up to 1800 units but it will mean a saving of over £400. Hopefully that should do me until Christmas. 

twobins

Forgot to say it works with the gas meters but not with the electric meters. With the electric meter you have to stuff it with as much credit as you can and then never top up until you are about to run out otherwise the new higher rate instruction code will go into the meter and you'll lose the benefit from your previous loaded credit 

JackWhiteWhite

twobins said:

I'm with SSE. I rang before the last price increase and was told 1800 units is the most the meter will take I topped up by just over £800 and have about 200 units left. That was from 19 Sept last year to now. I'm going to do the same again this week and reckon this time it will cost over £1000 to bring it up to 1800 units but it will mean a saving of over £400. Hopefully that should do me until Christmas. 

What meter do you have? I am switching to SSE in Northern Ireland and was sent an info that mine would be Libra.

twobins

Mines a Libra. If you're using multiple cards to top up,  make sure you wait about a minute between each card. I've had a few top ups that haven't registered because there wasn't a sufficient wait between inserting multiple cards. It's a pain claiming the money back from SSE but they do refund the money by cheque. 

JackWhiteWhite

So the stockpiling trick is working for you? And there is no reason to believe it will not this time? Despite what Martin is saying?

girlie1412

Mine is Libra too and stockpiling worked before October. I only had in 700 units however that took us until January 2022 and we would be heavy users. 

I have now tropes up to 1300 units and I am hopeful this will see us until next year with summer approaching. 

You are basically purchasing units so before October 2021 £49.00 gave you 110 units and after price increase ie now 83 units I am assuming from 1/4 you will only be getting 51 units so definitely works and it will save you money roping up your meter before the price hike. 

retro1981

Mine is Libra. My issue is how they present the statements and I assume that unless I was changing to a credit meter, or asking for a refund, they would give me less than what I paid, if that makes sense. Based on the current/higher rate. Also if I had a low amount in the meter when a statement is generated, it could show a negative amount, as if I owe them, perhaps?!