Shell Energy monthly DD increase

pochase

From your meter readings you have used 4680KWh electricity between 15/2/21 and 26/3/22. In the same timeframe you 1074 units of gas, that is over 33000KWh.

If you calculate it back to 12 months period you get to 4228KWh electricity and 30079KWh gas. At current cap and future cap your cost for 12 month would be.



To that you need to add your current debt of £945. Paying it off over 12 months you need to add £78.25 to the above monthly cost.

So for the current cap your direct debit should be £384 and for the new SVT from October it will be £564 that is required. 

Did you give Shell your meter readings on a regular base? When was the last time a real meter reading used on a bill instead of an estimated reading?

Robin9

There are a few issues here 

1) Shell's new DD is in the right order taking into account the SVT and the sums due.  October will give new figures which may not be balanced out by the £66.66 a month. 

2) The gas I can understand but you need to dig into the excessive electricity use

3) If you are going to make inroads into these costs  there are repairs you need to do - the failed double glazing units, the front door, roof insulation. If you've got the funds anywhere a couple of thousands will be well spent - you may also get a grant for the roof insulation.

4) Keep those monthly reads going

pikachu

Alnat1 said:

Are you heating the house while you're out at work or is there someone home all day?

How is your water heated and for how long?

Do you have thick curtains and close them at dusk in winter?

Could you invest in warmer clothes, thermal socks and boot type slippers and turn the thermostat down a bit? (most on here set at 18C)

There has been someone at home every day for the last 29 months - myself
Hot water in heated on demand 
 Ideal Logic Plus 24kw condensing combination boiler installed in Dec 2018

I have thermal everything and invested in some heated clothing but still feel cold if the temp inside is below 21c

pikachu

pochase said:

From your meter readings you have used 4680KWh electricity between 15/2/21 and 26/3/22. In the same timeframe you 1074 units of gas, that is over 33000KWh.

If you calculate it back to 12 months period you get to 4228KWh electricity and 30079KWh gas. At current cap and future cap your cost for 12 month would be.



To that you need to add your current debt of £945. Paying it off over 12 months you need to add £78.25 to the above monthly cost.

So for the current cap your direct debit should be £384 and for the new SVT from October it will be £564 that is required. 

Did you give Shell your meter readings on a regular base? When was the last time a real meter reading used on a bill instead of an estimated reading?

Mostly estimates
The gas meter is extremely difficult to get to as mentioned above which means I was told I couldn't a smart meter originally 
I will contact again and see what they say

Financial anxiety makes it difficult for me to deal with anything like this so I prefer everything to be as automated and easy as possible

Robin9

You said that you didn't qualify for benefits because you had too much in the way of savings.  Have you revisited the possibility of benefits recently ?  

The Benefits board will be able to give you guidance.

pikachu

Robin9 said:

There are a few issues here 

1) Shell's new DD is in the right order taking into account the SVT and the sums due.  October will give new figures which may not be balanced out by the £66.66 a month. 

2) The gas I can understand but you need to dig into the excessive electricity use

3) If you are going to make inroads into these costs  there are repairs you need to do - the failed double glazing units, the front door, roof insulation. If you've got the funds anywhere a couple of thousands will be well spent - you may also get a grant for the roof insulation.

4) Keep those monthly reads going

1) I accept that and there is nothing I can do about it at this point

2) Others have said the electricity is fairly typical.  I'm not too worried about that side of things as we are on it already in regards to reducing usage

3) The money is just not there.  Savings are down to £40 as that has been my only income for 17 months and I pay all the bills
My partner barely makes enough to cover his running costs and expenditure for work let alone contribute
Work for him also dried up completely during the pandemic

I'm on an interest only mortgage and will need to cover moving to repayment at some point.  

If I win the lottery, it will be done
The loft extension is down to my partner being able to save enough to do it and it does not look likely that is going to happen 

4) Absolutely - now I am well enough again, I have been submitting them and I know I need to keep on top of it

pikachu

Robin9 said:

You said that you didn't qualify for benefits because you had too much in the way of savings.  Have you revisited the possibility of benefits recently ?  

The Benefits board will be able to give you guidance.

I spoke to an advisor mid April and am not entitled to anything and have been back in work full time since 30th May 
I also asked several.people I know who volunteer providing benefits advice for CAB
Also checked using the benefits eligibility checkers - all said no