My mother's energy bills

Georget79

Hello everyone, I'm new here and have a question about my mother's energy bills if anyone can answer it would be much appreciated.

I'm my mother's carer as she has Parkinsons and Parkinson's dementia. I live with her and take care of her finances but hadnt looked at how the energy prices would affect her, until last night. I'd seen on the news that after the next two increases, the average household would be paying £400 per month.

However I saw last night she is already paying £417 per month since June, up from £204 per month in January. I was shocked because I didn't realise we were using that much above the average. After October 1st that will be £750 per month and from early next year £1125 per month. She has the heating on a lot because of her condition, but other than that I can't see whats causing such a huge amount above average? 

Anyway I looked at her energy bills and usage, and she is using 30014 khw per year gas, and 4,707 per year electricity.

However I put those figures and her exact plan details (Scottish Power, South Scotland, standard online)  and usage into usswitch, and it said that our current plan should cost £2468 (£204 per month).

But according to the tool on this website, with that usage and area and provider, she should currently be paying £3780 (£315 per month, instead of £417) with an 89% increase in October to £594 (instead of £750). I'm assuming the usswitch estimate was inaccurate, but even the estimate on this website is significantly lower than what she's actually paying now. 

If anyone can help me understand what's right and what's wrong it would be great, thanks.

George

Hedgepigs

Are they using estimated or actual usage? Is the account in credit or debit? 

[Deleted User]

Is that a fixed direct debit?

If so, what she is putting into the account is not what she is being charged for in the end.  It's just what the company thinks will be the total cost over the 12 month account period divided by twelve.  You expect to be building up credit in summer and then using it in winter.  Right now, I would expect the DD to have gone up because the units she will be using after 1 Oct will be more expensive.  

Is her account in credit?

macman

Basics: how is the property heated and hot watered, and how large is it? Insulation, double glazing, cavity walls? What temp is the 'stat set to?
The leccy usage is about 50% above the average, but the gas is about  250%.
If the whole house is heated round the clock, that could well be the reason.
Bear in mind that your mother will be receiving at least £1,050 in additional payments, assuming she is of pensionable age, and possibly more if she is in receipt of benefits.
It is presumed that she gets AA?

Georget79

Hedgepigs said:

Are they using estimated or actual usage? Is the account in credit or debit? 

They came to take a reading in early August so I'm assuming actual?

Yes I saw earlier she has £338 credit 

Georget79

[Deleted User] said:

Is that a fixed direct debit?

If so, what she is putting into the account is not what she is being charged for in the end.  It's just what the company thinks will be the total cost over the 12 month account period divided by twelve.  You expect to be building up credit in summer and then using it in winter.  Right now, I would expect the DD to have gone up because the units she will be using after 1 Oct will be more expensive.  

Is her account in credit?

Yeah it's direct debit, and she's £338 in credit 

Georget79

macman said:

Basics: how is the property heated and hot watered, and how large is it? Insulation, double glazing, cavity walls? What temo is the 'stat set to?
The leccy usage is about 50% above the average, but the gas is about  250%.
If the whole house is heated round the clock, that could well be the reason.
Bear in mind that your mother will be receiving at least £1050 in additional payments, assuming she is of pensionable age, and possibly more if she is in receipt of benefits.
It is presumed that she gets AA?

Wow, 250% above average is so much. Its gas boiler central heating. I don't know about insulation to be honest, but the building is pretty well sealed and with double glazing. 3 bedrooms, although 2 of them are not used as she sleeps downstairs, and I never have the heating on in my room. Temp stat varies between 20-30 so I'm guessing that's what's doing it. I'm getting a chimney blocker tomorrow as I think a lot of heat escapes out there.

She's 77 and she gets AA. I'm still unclear what help she will get but that £1050 you mention sounds very helpful. 

Broomstick

I'm not an expert in this, and sorry if I'm saying the obvious, but if she is getting Attendance Allowance, have you checked all the other possible sources of financial help you might be eligible for eg. reduction in or exemption from Council Tax, carer's allowance for you (assuming you are caring for enough hours a week) etc?  

Happy_Sloth

That is quite high for gas usage but if the CH is on all year it's not an un-thinkable figure. 20-30 is very warm so it's almost certainly the CH usage thats driving her bills so high.  

Can you lower the hot water amount or frequency it's on?

Can you encourage her to leave the temp at around 20? and use a blanket?  I have an electric throw i keep on my knees and it's tons cheaper than running the CH. maybe buy her one for her Birthday if you could get her to use it.  

Heat the person and not the home is a good mantra to have tbh.... it's harder with older people with dementia so i realize it's easier said than done. 

Georget79

Broomstick said:

I'm not an expert in this, and sorry if I'm saying the obvious, but if she is getting Attendance Allowance, have you checked all the other possible sources of financial help you might be eligible for eg. reduction in or exemption from Council Tax, carer's allowance for you (assuming you are caring for enough hours a week) etc?  

We've exhausted all her benefits allowances I think, but worth having another check just incase, thanks. 

macman

Temp varies between 20C and 30C?! Tell us you're not serious!
20C is a reasonable average. 21C is about the max that most people are comfortable with. If you are seriously turning it up to 30C, then you've answered your own question: it will never achieve that temp, but in trying to do so the boiler would be running full bore all the time. Is it on 24/7 in the heating season?
She will get £400 credited back on her electricity bills in 6 bites from October, plus the usual WFP and the additional pensioner allowance., so £500  if 77. Plus £150 CT credit on bands A to D.
If she has dementia, then she may count as SMI and so can be disregarded for C Tax, which means that you will get a 25% SPD discount, if there are no other adult residents.
Check the loft insulation is up to standard, very easy to fix if not.