Newbie what should I do when fixed rate ends

[Deleted User]

Mayaboo said:

Sorry for being obtuse, but why is that and would I just ask for a refund back 

Usually, in the winter you use more than you pay for and in the summer you use less than you pay for.

Having credit at the start of the winter means you don't go into debt when you are using more, and helps to avoid a big one-off bill if your contract ends at the start of the summer.

elsien

Mayaboo said:

elsien said:

Mayaboo said:

Should I let them know I'm classed as vulnerable, now or later?

It won't make any difference to the tariffs or options that you are offered. 
Your disability and benefits may mean that you are offered any additional support for vulnerable customers if the government decides to do anything more but that won't make any difference to your tariff options as things stand. And I think generally is targetted at people on means tested benefits so as things stand PIP on its own wouldn't qualify you. 

I wondered if it would mean they might view me less favourably , and put me on a more expensive pre pay meter.
Thanks, are you saying being on pip wouldn't qualify me to be classed as vulnerable.

No I'm not. I'm saying that so far the government energy support for people with disabilities is being targetted at low income people. Because PIP is not means tested it doesn't indicate whether you are low income or not. So for the grants that are being given out, at the moment it depends on any other benefits you might be getting.

Being priority with the utility company is different - it means you're flagged up if something goes wrong that they may need to sort it out more quickly, for example. It's not directly to do with bills as such. 
There are some examples for why being on the priority register can help on here.
Getting extra help with the Priority Services Register | Ofgem

No-one is going to be putting you on a prepayment meter just because you have an illness or disability. They tend to be more either for people in shared houses, or for people in persistent debt to prevent them from running up bigger debts. You have nothing to worry about there. 

sully1311

Mayaboo said:

Sorry for being obtuse, but why is that and would I just ask for a refund back . I've got about £300 in the account atthe  moment 

Because you use a lot more energy in the winter than you do in the summer. 

victor2

Mayaboo said:

Ive got a small woodburning stove .I'm planning to try to use this this winter to build up more credit in the account 

Unless you've got a free or very cheap source of good wood to burn, it's unlikely to work out cheaper than the fixed rate you're on. But it will reduce your heating bill, so allow you to possibly get out of winter with a bit of credit in your account.
Don't forget your chimney will need sweeping next year if you use the stove a lot over winter.

Mayaboo

victor2 said:

Mayaboo said:

Ive got a small woodburning stove .I'm planning to try to use this this winter to build up more credit in the account 

Unless you've got a free or very cheap source of good wood to burn, it's unlikely to work out cheaper than the fixed rate you're on. But it will reduce your heating bill, so allow you to possibly get out of winter with a bit of credit in your account.
Don't forget your chimney will need sweeping next year if you use the stove a lot over winter.

I don't pay for it, at the moment my ex does.i tnink  he will continue to
it's barn stored wood, and it heats my small living room all evening with three logs.Wondering about building a bigger log store and stocking up

Mayaboo

Also I'm not yet on a smart meter. Should I do that?

elsien

It will help you keep track of your usage and where to cut down. And some tariffs (not that there’s any available at the moment) do require one. 

victor2

Mayaboo said:

Also I'm not yet on a smart meter. Should I do that?

No harm in telling Octopus you'd like smart meters - they keep pushing it on their website and it will make other tariffs available to you in the future, plus eliminate the need to provide readings.

macman

Mayaboo said:

Sorry for being obtuse, but why is that and would I just ask for a refund back . I've got about £300 in the account atthe  moment 

Because you use maybe 80% of your annual total in the winter months, so ideally you want to start the heating season with some credit, then exit it with zero or minus. You then rebuild it over the summer.