Bulb Energy

stezario2

For the last 18 months or so Bulb have had my expected monthly usage (for gas and electric) at around £344, even in the depths of last winter we never went over £312 and are more usually between £150  - £200 per month. However, for the last year or so (unsurprisingly since they technically went bust) my DD  went up from £180 to £320 then £312 then £273. This has put me £1299 in credit. I've now received an email informing me that my DD is to go back up to £312. I don't even know how they're coming up with these numbers. I don't know how to query their projected usage, which has always been way above what I actually use. I get fobbed off by email and maybe get a few quid taken off the DD, but nothing ever changes on the projected usage. 
I understand prices are going up, their latest projected usage per month is £439.... 

[Deleted User]

Projected usage in £ means nothing when the prices change.

What is your estimated usage in kWh, and how does that compare to your actual usage in kWh?

t0rt0ise

Yes that what they did to me. So eventually I said I'd pay by variable Direct Debit where I paid what I'd actually used each month. I just left them and will pay the new supplier in the same way.

dunstonh

For the last 18 months or so Bulb have had my expected monthly usage (for gas and electric) at around £344, 

Projections are not based on monetary amounts but your usage.   That is than multiplied by the unit price.

 This has put me £1299 in credit. I've now received an email informing me that my DD is to go back up to £312.

Summer credit is typically around 3-5 times your monthly payment.  So, its in the ballpark.

I don't even know how they're coming up with these numbers. 

And that is your problem.   You should know as its clear on your bills and your meter readings.

 I don't know how to query their projected usage, which has always been way above what I actually use.

Tell us your usage and we can help see who is right. 

[Deleted User]

stezario2 said:

For the last 18 months or so Bulb have had my expected monthly usage (for gas and electric) at around £344, even in the depths of last winter we never went over £312 and are more usually between £150  - £200 per month. However, for the last year or so (unsurprisingly since they technically went bust) my DD  went up from £180 to £320 then £312 then £273. This has put me £1299 in credit. I've now received an email informing me that my DD is to go back up to £312. I don't even know how they're coming up with these numbers. I don't know how to query their projected usage, which has always been way above what I actually use. I get fobbed off by email and maybe get a few quid taken off the DD, but nothing ever changes on the projected usage. 
I understand prices are going up, their latest projected usage per month is £439.... 

Last Winter’s ‘depth of winter’ costs increased by an AVERAGE of 54% last April and will increase again by 27% in 5 days time - or to put it another way the energy that you purchased for £100 last December will cost you £195 next week.

The usual caveat applies: the exact percentage increase will depend on how much energy you actually use.

All statements show the annual estimated consumption. This is easily checked by taking 2 ACTUAL meter readings 12 months apart. You need to factor in that last Winter was unusually mild so this Winter’s consumption may be higher.

dunstonh

All statements show the annual estimated consumption. This is easily checked by taking 2 ACTUAL meter readings 12 months apart. You need to factor in that last Winter was unusually mild so this Winter’s consumption may be higher.

I would go further and say take a meter reading on the same day each month and log it in a spreadsheet.  Learn about your own use and the mystery of utility pricing goes away.

P1Fanatic

I thought ours was strange as they just emailed saying they want to increase monthly DD from £180 to £195 even though we are £540 in credit and the Govt Energy payments kick in next month (although they say their projected usage calculations take those payments into account). You can go online / use the app to drop the amount back a little but they only let you drop it so much. I will see what happens over the next couple of months. But yours sounds horrendous in comparison.

dunstonh

 will see what happens over the next couple of months. But yours sounds horrendous in comparison.

They haven't posted any info to suggest that it is horrendous.  

EssexHebridean

P1Fanatic said:

I thought ours was strange as they just emailed saying they want to increase monthly DD from £180 to £195 even though we are £540 in credit and the Govt Energy payments kick in next month (although they say their projected usage calculations take those payments into account). You can go online / use the app to drop the amount back a little but they only let you drop it so much. I will see what happens over the next couple of months. But yours sounds horrendous in comparison.

Why would you think that's strange? You're in credit now at precisely the time of year you SHOULD be in credit, but there are further price increases to come - surely an increase would be expected?  I'd be inclines to say that the only thing that's striking me as [particularly strange about the increase is how little they are putting it up - but if they are taking the £400 into account that probably explains that side of things. 

[Deleted User]

How can so many people seemingly not equate a coming unit price rise with a coming rise in their DD?

born_again

[Deleted User] said:

How can so many people seemingly not equate a coming unit price rise with a coming rise in their DD?

As well as base all assumptions on the monthly DD rather than actually read their meter each month and submit it, so you only ever pay for what you use (extra goes as credit for winter) & not what the energy co estimate of the usage.