£989 energy bill

phennomena

Data Energy - a relatively new entrant to the energy suppliers market - have just presented a £989 energy bill to cover 2 months, and expect payment by 31 January.  The property is new and all electric heating and water heating. No gas. So it was always going to be high per kwh of course. 

That is not the issue.

The issue is Data Energy unlike other energy suppliers, only bill on actual monthly usage even with their direct debit payment scheme. There is no tariff that smooths payments over a 12 month period, like all other energy suppliers offer.

DE also charge an administration fee in addition to a standing charge. 

And it’s a leasehold condition that we cannot change energy suppliers. Captive customers.

any views on possible courses of action?

born_again

phennomena said:

Data Energy - a relatively new entrant to the energy suppliers market - have just presented a £989 energy bill to cover 2 months, and expect payment by 31 January.  The property is new and all electric heating and water heating. No gas. So it was always going to be high per kwh of course. 

That is not the issue.

The issue is Data Energy unlike other energy suppliers, only bill on actual monthly usage even with their direct debit payment scheme. There is no tariff that smooths payments over a 12 month period, like all other energy suppliers offer.

DE also charge an administration fee in addition to a standing charge. 

And it’s a leasehold condition that we cannot change energy suppliers. Captive customers.

any views on possible courses of action?

Did you not realise when you signed up to them?

Lorian

what is your unit price and standing order price? not that it will help. 
Is the bill based on actual meter readings?
Are you sure the meter you are being billed for is your actual meter.

Robin9

phennomena said:

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The issue is Data Energy unlike other energy suppliers, only bill on actual monthly usage even with their direct debit payment scheme................................

You are describing Monthly Variable Direct Debit   - very common amongst many suppliers -  and liked by many.

debitcardmayhem

Ofgem guidance on this https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/tenants-energy-rights-explained#:~:text=The%20key%20energy%20right%20is,supplier%20within%20their%20tenancy%20agreement.

QrizB

debitcardmayhem said:

Ofgem guidance on this https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/tenants-energy-rights-explained#:~:text=The%20key%20energy%20right%20is,supplier%20within%20their%20tenancy%20agreement.

Yes, I was going to ask whether the term in the lease / tenancy was allowed!

OP are you a leaseholder or a tenant?

phennomena said:

Data Energy - a relatively new entrant to the energy suppliers market - have just presented a £989 energy bill to cover 2 months, and expect payment by 31 January.  The property is new and all electric heating and water heating. No gas. So it was always going to be high per kwh of course. 

Regardless of it being an all electric property, that's a huge bill. Something like 2000kWh a month! I'd expect a typical new-build 3-bed semi to use less than that.

Exactly how is your property heated? How are you operating it?

Robin9

Data Energy appear to be an agent for Property Managers rather than a supplier themselves.

Gerry1

Do the Meter Sanity Test.

Gerry1

Did you read the meter yourself when you took possession, and send that reading to Data Energy?

If not, you could be paying for usage by the developer, a previous occupant or a void period.

Gerry1

Robin9 said:

Data Energy appear to be an agent for Property Managers rather than a supplier themselves.

Who is your 'real' supplier?

https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

jimjames

phennomena said:

The issue is Data Energy unlike other energy suppliers, only bill on actual monthly usage even with their direct debit payment scheme. There is no tariff that smooths payments over a 12 month period, like all other energy suppliers offer.

We have the same tariff with EDF as our choice. Avoids having any large balance sitting with the supplier and you know exactly what you use per year. If you don't like it working like that and have no choice to change then one option might be to work out your annual bill, divide by 12 and put that amount into a savings account every month to cover your use for the year.