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Energy price rise

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MayoOwl63
MayoOwl63 Posts: 1 Newbie
edited 25 August 2022 at 4:41PM in Ask An Expert: Energy (Aug)
I currently pay £199/month for gas & electricity to British Gas (I’ve never missed a payment). They did a 6 month review of my usage and payments on 1st July, and despite me being £216 in credit and using much less energy over the same 6 month period in 2021, they’ve upped my direct debit to £323/month from 1st August. Are they allowed to do this ahead of the Ofgem rise in October, as surely what they’re now charging me is in excess of the current Ofgem cap set from last April?
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  • BROKEN
    BROKEN Posts: 42 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    The most honest answer is yes. This is mainly due to it being winter and as you use more energy over winter months they can raise the monthly Direct Debit to there benefit. All I suggest is reading your meters. if you don't know how then I suggest you learn. If you have one of those smart meters don't use it but leave it connected. Go to your meter and write down the reading date and date it in your notes in your phone. Go into your account and check to see what the last reading was and take the lowest from the highest and it will tell your how many KWS you have used then times that by the unit price. If your KWs is over the average stated by Ofgem (8 a day) then your using to much.
    The only things that I have plugged in are Fridge Freezer, Oven (as clock an ignition use electric) and Kettle.
    Everything (including electric shower) is turned off, Also nearly every extension is connected to an amazon smart plug.
    (everyone is out of the house at 7.30/7.45 ) Alexa turn off electric. Wicked!!!  
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