I have no idea what to do?

Wood296

Before the world went mad, like most i signed up to a 2/3 year dual fuel deal using a comparison site, did this for years. 2023 will be my third miserable winter on variable rate with EDF. I submit meter readings every month and pay for what i use via a variable direct debit.  I am disabled so at home most of the time and try to use as little energy as possible  frankly i am terrified of the winter bills and do not want to get into fuel poverty/debt so because of this I am a low user. My house has always been on the cold side due to old central heating system, concrete floors and a bit of damp. My question is about switching because i no longer know how to do this or understand what i should be looking for, what do i look for? Low standing charges, lower unit price? Is it just me or has it become incomprehensible? 

Brie

Is there anyone who might help you navigate this - a friend, neighbour, teen age grandchild?  Failing that could you try Citizen's Advice or possibly even the local library??  Food banks are also helping a lot with this sort of thing as so many of their customers are being caught out be fuel poverty as well.  

I have a feeling that if you posted your actual annual utility use and asked for help on the comparisons here that there might be some forum rule that says we should not help in that way.  But presumably if you gave your full year figures someone would be able to make a few suggestions rather than specific advice.

The other thing that might make things easier is if you are on any kind of disability benefit because some firms have preferential rates for some benefits.  

Brie

Have a look here at Step 3....

What to do if you're struggling to pay your energy bills (moneysavingexpert.com)

[Deleted User]

Hi,

remember there will be the Goverment Winter Fuel Payment, look HERE.

markin

The only rules is that you block out the serial number and name/addressee if you post your bills or a photo of your power meter.


How do you heat the water and house? And what is your annual usage from 2 bills 12 months apart and the rates you pay?

Spoonie_Turtle

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

remember there will be the Goverment Winter Fuel Payment, look HERE.

Only if they're a pensioner.

Qyburn

I don't think we're yet a stage wear deals are on offer, cheaper than the price cap.

But it might be worth looking at fixed price deals, not necessarily cheaper but give assurance that the prices won't rise over the Winter. 

Last Winter we had the £66/£67 monthly payments, which we won't get this year, but the price cap has come down by more than £400 so over a year bills should total less.

Scot_39

Average and above  bills should be less is what you mean - not all bills.

That's the problem with reliance on a simple one size doesn't fit all metric.

The removal of EBSS £400 actually means for low users - particularly all electric - that net bills are going up.

The TDCV  cap is down 426  - so £2500-400 ebss meant epg net became £2100 - and currently July cap is £2074.

The price is going to fall again in Oct, but then predicted to rise again in Jan for Q1 24.

But at July rates that's only cheaper - net by £26 for medium TDCV consumers and soon more expensive net for lower users.

And 80% of that price cut is gas  - unit prices down c27% for gas, but only around 10% for electric.

An all electric users paying say £1200 / £100 pm  - net bill will rise nearly £300 at July rates. 

Many others will also rise - including my own - I will survive, others will really struggle. 

And many won't be just the c12m pensioners on wfp tax free boost - regardless of income - wrong - and the c8m with some of the remaining £1500 in the initial £900 and then £600 extension quarterly £300 boosts  on UC/ certain means tested benefits for wider not just energy.  And likely 1.5 to 2m poor pensioners get both  - those on pension credit guar income levels.

One common disability payment doesn't qualify for latter.


Which is why many poverty  charities and likes of M Lewis  have been asking for a repeat of targeted ebss  support.

But Shapps et al were publicly hiding behind the for many false £424 drop cap trap.


There are a few loyalty fixes offering a few % savings at some suppliers - a tracker offering £50,below cap at tdcv at one etc.

But right now the fixes are more about price stability than massive savings.

And are I suspect likely to remain so whilst energy markets remain on edge (as the recent LPG spikes showed).