Scottish power nightmares continue

michael079

Hi, I have posted previous threads about problems with Scottish power, I am acting on behalf of my mother's account as she has dementia and I always seem to have endless problems with Scottish power and never seem to understand why, or the reasons for the leap in bills. 

Again, the bills leapt from about £314 to £459 in December, even though actual gas usage didn't go up (it's always on 30).

Last year, after being reccomended to get off economy 7, i called them and it was changed, or so I thought. I've just found out she's still on a dual rate economy 7 standard tarrif. 

I can't bear to deal with Scottish power anymore. Unfortunately my brain collapses with all the jargon and I don't understand anything. If someone can please simplify a way out of this nightmare, perhaps switching to another provider? 

MeteredOut

You need to post actual usage in kWh, or share bills with actual meter readings. No-one can tell you if the amounts are correct based on the info provided.

Brie

When you say the bill has increased in December do you mean that she has been charged more or that the direct debit has gone up?  If it's the DD then just tell them no, that you/mom doesn't accept that it needs to go up.  It doesn't matter that they are doing this "to keep your account safe" or any other blarney.  They do it to keep as much ££ in their account as possible.  

I would also suggest that whatever you do when contacting SP is to ask to speak to the vulnerable customer team.  Not just customer service.  Usually there's a dedicated team as with most large organisations these days.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you mention gas usage and also E7, so what does she use for heating?

michael079

MeteredOut said:

You need to post actual usage in kWh, or share bills with actual meter readings. No-one can tell you if the amounts are correct based on the info provided.

I don't know if this helps? 

michael079

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

you mention gas usage and also E7, so what does she use for heating?

Central heating. We have been using electric fan heater too because the living room doest keep warm. That's been used more over the last two months but it doesn't account for the gas bill going up so much, as the stat is always on 30 all year round apart from hot days but we're in Scotland so that's not often. The stat on 30 is a long standing problem which I can't solve nor do I wish to right now, I just can't understand how a bill goes up significantly when actual usage doesn't change. 

Gerry1

michael079 said:

Again, the bills leapt from about £314 to £459 in December, even though actual gas usage didn't go up (it's always on 30).

Wrong.  Your bills show your gas usage went up by 45% from 2529kWh to 3677kWh.  Probably because of colder weather (and 30 days rather than 28).

michael079

Gerry1 said:

michael079 said:

Again, the bills leapt from about £314 to £459 in December, even though actual gas usage didn't go up (it's always on 30).

Wrong.  Your bills show your gas usage went up by 45% from 2529kWh to 3677kWh.  Probably because of colder weather (and 30 days rather than 28).

But how does the colder weather force us to use more gas when we already have it on the highest settings? 

GingerTim

michael079 said:

Gerry1 said:

michael079 said:

Again, the bills leapt from about £314 to £459 in December, even though actual gas usage didn't go up (it's always on 30).

Wrong.  Your bills show your gas usage went up by 45% from 2529kWh to 3677kWh.  Probably because of colder weather (and 30 days rather than 28).

But how does the colder weather force us to use more gas when we already have it on the highest settings? 

The boiler will have to work harder for longer to maintain the requested room temperature, and so burn more gas, during colder weather.

Gerry1

You still have two basic problems that you have failed to address. 

1. There is no need for a multi-rate electricity tariff.  As you have a smart meter, it can be changed remotely, just call Scottish Power today.

2. You shouldn't be topping up with a fan heater costing 4.31 times as much as gas, assuming the boiler is 90% efficient.

Either the boiler and/or the radiators are too small.  Call in a 'Which?' Trusted Trader and get the system upgraded.  Check with Citizens Advice whether you are entitled to any grants.

Gerry1

michael079 said:

Gerry1 said:

michael079 said:

Again, the bills leapt from about £314 to £459 in December, even though actual gas usage didn't go up (it's always on 30).

Wrong.  Your bills show your gas usage went up by 45% from 2529kWh to 3677kWh.  Probably because of colder weather (and 30 days rather than 28).

But how does the colder weather force us to use more gas when we already have it on the highest settings? 

If the under-powered gas CH system is always going flat out but hasn't got sufficient oomph even to reach 20⁰, it won't make the slightest  difference whether the thermostat is calling for 20⁰, 25⁰, 30⁰ or even 35⁰.

The thermostat is not a volume control, it tells the boiler when it can ease off or shut down.