Trying to work out energy cost

Peggy0628

Hi,

I'm trying to work out how much I'm going to spend on energy this year...
Only have 2 months of bills (big change of circumstances so usage very different from previous years).

January bill (covers Xmas so a bit higher)
gas 833.02 kwh £43.86
electricity 63 kwh £22.47

February bill
gas 647.49 kwh £35.95
electricity 56 kwh £20.24

Standard variable tariff with British Gas, variable monthly DD payments.

Am I right thinking that on the new price cap I'll be paying around £100/month combined (assuming the usage remains the same) or less (in summer as no heating needed)? I've never been very good at maths... Thanks!

Robin9

Your electricity will vary little over the year - less lighting during the summer.  Are you sure its only 50/60 KWh per month - thats very low = 700 KWh over a year when a more typical average is 3000 KWh.   

Gas will drop significantly during the summer  but say 5 winter months at 700 KWh per month and 7 summer at 50 i s 4000 KWH - again very low, typical is 10,000 KWH.

First question  -are you on a fix and if so when does it run out?

Mstty

Peggy0628 said:

Hi,

I'm trying to work out how much I'm going to spend on energy this year...
Only have 2 months of bills (big change of circumstances so usage very different from previous years).

January bill (covers Xmas so a bit higher)
gas 833.02 kwh £43.86
electricity 63 kwh £22.47

February bill
gas 647.49 kwh £35.95
electricity 56 kwh £20.24

Standard variable tariff with British Gas, variable monthly DD payments.

Am I right thinking that on the new price cap I'll be paying around £100/month combined (assuming the usage remains the same) or less (in summer as no heating needed)? I've never been very good at maths... Thanks!

More than happy to help but to work out your variable payments would need exact usage per month ove the last year.

However I would say don't pay variable at the moment unless there is no other option for affordability as there is another big shock coming in October 2022 and a potential rise of 30% in prices on top of the price rises we have just had 1st April.

pochase

As you are saying your current usage cannot compared with latest two bills I am going from the calculation Robin9 has already done.

It is a bit averaged as I don't know the region you are in, but should be close enough

Standing Charge Gas - 100£
Standing Charge Electricity - 165£
Electricity (28p) - 196£
Gas (7.2p) - 288£
-------------------------------------------
Total for 12 months - 749£

So an average direct debit of £62.50 looks about right, not taking into account the next increase in October. 

For January you would have paid on the new BG SVT the £100 you quoted.

If you can afford it put aside the difference what you will be paying during summer and the 100£ and it should take you safely through the next winter.

Robin9

I think its @Frugal that says  - set up a wee spreadsheet.

Read your meter every month and use @pochase broadbrush figures  - then when you get your next bill you won't be getting any shocks.

Peggy0628

Robin9 said:

 Are you sure its only 50/60 KWh per month - thats very low = 700 KWh over a year when a more typical average is 3000 KWh.   

Yes, the usage is correct. I have smart meters. I don't have many appliances running, just a fridge freezer and microwave that are on 24/7 (I know, some people say to unplug the microwave when not in use but the socket is not easy to get to). Everything else is turned off at the socket when not used. No tumble drier, 1-2 loads of washing a week.

Just went to check the meter readings:
14779.3 at midnight Thursday (when the prices changed) 
14783.4 at 3pm today
so used 4.1 in 39 hours (I was home the whole time and did 1 load of washing in that time as well). The usage is lower when I'm at work, obviously.

Not on a fix.