What extra support measures or regulations do you expect the government to bring in this winter?

Sea_Shell

MattMattMattUK said:

Sea_Shell said:

The recent predictions stated that an "average" user could face a £500 a month bill during the darkest depths of winter.

So let's just digest that...

It could mean those on pre-pay having to add £16 a day.

How many families (on such meters) fall into the category of higher than average usage*, but not entitled to any of the "additional" payments.

They could easily be expected to find £20-£25 a day!!    More, if the weather bares it's teeth. ☹️



* I don't know where in the "typical" user scale a family of 4 in a 3 bed semi fit in.  Which "average" is used?

That average is based on no behavioural changes, I expect that behavioural changes will kick in pretty quickly come winter for those who pay via a pre-pay meter and those on variable Direct Debit, for those on fixed Direct Debits it may take 3-6 months for them to realise the full extent of their usage. 

Oh, I think that behavioural changes will be ENFORCED on those people, rather than though choice!!!   Like a slap in the face with a wet fish!!

Sadly, I think you're right that those who are not "active" in their understanding of their bills/usage/cost, and who don't receive monthly bills (or don't read them) or aren't "strongly advised" (forced) to review their DD could be in for a very nasty shock, come the spring, when the energy has already been used, and needs paying for!!

There is a risk that they will have just carried on regardless, over winter, oblivious (somehow) to the unfolding situation.

Coffeekup

Evan3020 said:

12000 units of gas? do you mean units or kwh?

Kw'h's...

Evan3020

Then 4500 kwh of gas in a year is not a lot. How did you manage that?

KxMx

I'd like the government to defer the upcoming changes on who qualifies for Warm Home Discount. 
Absolutely the worst time to change the criteria. 

Outside of Pension Credit, the rest of us will be at the mercy of a crackpot formula to qualify.
As someone too ill to work (ESA +UC), living alone in a rented one bed flat I'm pretty much resigned to not getting it this year. 

It's all very well saying get a job, get better insulation etc, for me and many other people those simply aren't options.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/faqs-warm-home-discount-scheme

Coffeekup

Evan3020 said:

Then 4500 kwh of gas in a year is not a lot. How did you manage that?

*Didn't have the heating on at night when I was in bed.
*Didn't have the heating on in the morning before I left the house with my daughter to school. If I did because it was cold it was for 30 minutes before she got up.
*When the heating was on during the coldest months/days it was on between 5-7pm. As by 9pm she was going bed, and the heat stays in the house for around an hour.
*Sat on the sofa with a blanket over me/us watching TV.
*Wearing more layer's.
*Obviously not having the heating on whilst out at work or shopping.
*Acclimatize... Years ago I used to put heating on in late September or October soon as there was a chill in the air. It went on in November sometime (can't remember exact date but there was a thread here called is you heating on yet?.) Even then it was on and off for a few weeks after. 
*Turning the boiler in manually instead of having a thermostat or other device do it for me.
*Washing hands in cold water so the combi doesn't kick in... On a side note my eczema has almost gone now... I know this because hit water irritates my skin... I used to think it was the hand soap/gel's I used. But the cold water has a cooling effect on the skin.
*Heating was off after the first week of March.
*Having the combi boiler water set to 40C ... So the boiler doesn't work any harder than it needs to.


Things to note...
*2 bed mid terrace with loft insulation, but the back of the house is the coldest as the kitchen is not well insulated. If I sorted this draughty mess out I'd guess the heat would stay in the house a lot longer. 
*Last year was a mild winter.
*I never suffered any colds or snivels last few years since I have cut back on artificial heating (maybe a coincidence tho)
*There is 2 of us in the house, only I operate the heating control's.

My gas energy kw'h's during the summer months range from 70-110 units used and November to March it ranged from 300-800 units used per month.

Edit: So in a nutshell being a total skin flint. The sad thing is I won't get the gas usage any lower this year I guess that's my low point till I insulate the kitchen and refit it.
I have thought about lowering the ceilings in the front and back room as the current height is around 3m so I'm heating alot of cubic meters I can't feel the heat from.

pochase

I am assuming you mean KWh, not units. 1 unit m3 = 11.2 KWh. 

Coffeekup

pochase said:

I am assuming you mean KWh, not units. 1 unit m3 = 11.2 KWh. 

If your referring to me yes kwh's... I edited my original post as this has been asked already.

CRISPIANNE3

It is now up to us all to help ourselves. I think the government have done as much as they can.  I now help myself by cutting down on my usage and not keep blaming the government.

In my case I have reduced my usage from 4900 kw's of electricity down to 3200 per annum.

QrizB

CRISPIANNE3 said:

In my case I have reduced my usage from 4900 kw's of electricity down to 3200 per annum.

That's a good reduction, 35% or so. Did you take any particular steps or was it a ruthless process to cut each an every unnecessary use?

Mstty

The thing that would kibosh everything is a a very cold winter.

We have calculated what that will do to our consumption and it won't be pretty.