Energy bills

[Silly Car]

What a bunch of thieving gits Shell Energy are…

Last week got an email to outline my costs are going up due to the new gov guarantee with an estimate of the cost for the next 12 months based on the previous 12 months and new tariff at £4111 without the benefit of the credit on the account (nigh on £800 currently) and without the benefit of the £400 over the next 6 months. The usage shown in their figures was broadly in line with the usage as shown on the app (I use Hugo).

Today, get an email to say that my direct debit was increasing by £60 per month after allowing for £800 credit but not the gov’s £400 as my usage over the next 14 (wtf) months was going to be £5600, which nets down to roughly £4,800 over 12 months or 17% more than last week’s prediction…

Direct debit now adjusted back to where it was!

I thought of gem had bollocked the industry for over egging the pudding when it came to direct debits and holding customers’ money?

[Mr. Dazzle]

As if Shell et al give a fuck what Ofgem say

Oh no, you fined us for £10 million. *strolls off to count their billions*

[Greenman]

What a bunch of thieving gits Shell Energy are…

Last week got an email to outline my costs are going up due to the new gov guarantee with an estimate of the cost for the next 12 months based on the previous 12 months and new tariff at £4111 without the benefit of the credit on the account (nigh on £800 currently) and without the benefit of the £400 over the next 6 months. The usage shown in their figures was broadly in line with the usage as shown on the app (I use Hugo).

Today, get an email to say that my direct debit was increasing by £60 per month after allowing for £800 credit but not the gov’s £400 as my usage over the next 14 (wtf) months was going to be £5600, which nets down to roughly £4,800 over 12 months or 17% more than last week’s prediction…

Direct debit now adjusted back to where it was!

I thought of gem had bollocked the industry for over egging the pudding when it came to direct debits and holding customers’ money?

I had two envelopes on my door matt as i returned home from work tonight from Eon that will not be opened until sunday!

[MrLongbeard]

For September I've used 100kwh less in elasticktrickery compared to last year and my gas use is also down, by 200kwh.

For me, it's not about not being able to afford the higher prices & standing charges, it's not wanting to.

[Greenman]

For September I've used 100kwh less in elasticktrickery compared to last year and my gas use is also down, by 200kwh.

For me, it's not about not being able to afford the higher prices & standing charges, it's not wanting to.

Mate you need to join the revolution and start being an activist against the shit we have now...but you know that already, that's why your angry all the time!

Be a positive activist rather than an angry one*...








*whilst still being a bit angry too....of course

[Mr. Dazzle]

For September I've used 100kwh less in elasticktrickery compared to last year and my gas use is also down, by 200kwh.

For me, it's not about not being able to afford the higher prices & standing charges, it's not wanting to.

I'm actually a little bit ashamed of my self - I really can't think of another word for it - that I was always able to reduce my energy consumption by quite a lot and just.....didn't. This whole thing has shown me I used to burn way more juice than I needed to, which goes against the grain in a deep way I can't really articulate

It's not even that much money!

[MrLongbeard]

that I was always able to reduce my energy consumption by quite a lot and just.....didn't.

I don't even get to shout 'it's like blackpool illumination in here' anymore now the kid & boyfriend have moved out
And to be honest them not being here is going to be my biggest energy saving, I never used that much in the past, hell I even turn my microwave and oven off at the wall when I'm done with them although I could give up this desktop PC & 27" screen and surf on a tablet, but nah.

[Mussels]

My plumber called me a tight git yesterday when I told him my heating water is on 45°, and then conceded it was fine if the house got warm enough.
100kwh per month is a pretty big drop, I cut my leccy by 300kwh per month but that was because I replaced my electric shower with a combi boiler. I'm now using 400kwh and can't find any obvious big wins unless I turn off the bearded dragon's basking light.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I didn't actually know what I was using in terms of kWh so I've just looked on my app. I've got a smart meter so it's easy to tell.

Smidge over 200kWh of leccy per month and about 10m3 of gas. That's summer though and I'm not sure on the gas units, there's just a number.

[cheb]

We use about 500 units of electricity per month, a medium sized bottle of propane lasts not quite a year, and oil gets bought when needed.

[Hoonercat]

I use 300-350kWH during the summer months, and 400-450 during winter. Bit of a surprise, given that during summer I have the pool pump and UV filter running 6-8 hours per day and at least one air con running all night, but I do use the hot water more in winter which is run off electric boilers.

[Ant]

I didn't actually know what I was using in terms of kWh so I've just looked on my app. I've got a smart meter so it's easy to tell.

Smidge over 200kWh of leccy per month and about 10m3 of gas. That's summer though and I'm not sure on the gas units, there's just a number.

It's easy to tell with any meter.

[Mussels]

I didn't actually know what I was using in terms of kWh so I've just looked on my app. I've got a smart meter so it's easy to tell.

Smidge over 200kWh of leccy per month and about 10m3 of gas. That's summer though and I'm not sure on the gas units, there's just a number.

It's easy to tell with any meter.

If you remembered to take readings.
I have been doing them monthly for a while and it's helpful but automatic half hour readings from a gen2 smart meter would be more useful. Half hour readings would still be of limited use to me, I'd like every minute or better.

[MrLongbeard]

automatic half hour readings from a gen2 smart meter would be more useful. Half hour readings would still be of limited use to me, I'd like every minute or better.

Why?
I keep looking at clamp on energy meters, but have resisted pulling the trigger. I use what I use, only 3 things left on stand by and 2 left on fully 24/7, so by my reckoning knowing more detail is pointless and would just add another device plugged in 24/7

[Mr. Dazzle]

I don't deny there are lots of ways you could check your consumption, but my smart meter has a phone app already which makes it dead simple.

As it 'appens, I didn't have much of a choice about getting a smart meter. My old one died and hence needed replacement, the energy companies don't really go for the "my meter's dead so I don't have to pay anything" argument

There's another app you can use, the name of which completely escape me, that will estimate your base load and various other things. My Dad uses it, it's not run by your own energy company, you have to give them permission to access your meter readings.

[Noggin]

I have no idea what is good or bad on energy, but the 63kWh in June is the basics - fridge and freezer and maybe a couple of plugs that I didn't turn off when I left for rehab (June was the only month that I wasn't here at all! May was 2 days of living here and July was 10)

September was high because I needed the radiator a bit. Now I've reduced the amount of cold breeze that comes in, I'm hoping not to need it so much!

But - I don't unplug much so there is a lot of standby

I am more conscious of turning the few lights off until I really need them as opposed to last winter when I didn't. I am also using the air fryer more than the oven, and probably cooking less than in the winter too! I guess Nov - Feb I would use more because I will need the lights more (I use daylight rather than the actual apartment lights mostly in the spring/summer/autumn) and Feb was down because I was in hospital for a week.

It's quite interesting, in a way, even if I don't really think I can do much more!!

I did buy a new socket thingy to put on the wall to get some cables up out of the way (not hanging down the wall so much! - wifi, tv, tv box, dvd player, apple tv)) but now wish I'd looked for one that I can switch off each socket - then I could leave a few things 'off' till I need them without getting the step/ladder out to reach them. Gonna have to put the new socket thingy lower down now!!!

Must remember to unplug the cook-stuff that I leave plugged in!! I'm guessing the mixer doesn't draw any power plugged in, but the airfryer, pressure cooking and induction hob plate all have little red lights displayed, so best start unplugging them

[Horse]

Why?
I keep looking at clamp on energy meters, but have resisted pulling the trigger. I use what I use

My view on any smart metering is that it will confirm what I already know:

- switching things on uses electricity or gas
- switching them off doesn't

- turning down the heating thermostat, lids on saucepans, just enough water in the kettle, turning off the kettle before it clicks off, turning off lights ... all reduce fuel used

- anything that makes lots of heat uses more power

I can't see what a smart meter would add to my saving energy.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I can't see what a smart meter would add to my saving energy.

You'll be able to take advantage of this fabled "we'll pay you not to use power at peak times" tariff, if it ever materialises.

[Horse]

I can't see what a smart meter would add to my saving energy.

You'll be able to take advantage of this fabled "we'll pay you not to use power at peak times" tariff, if it ever materialises.

Ah, the 'run your washing machine on full spin - that'll keep you awake - and your tumble - burn the house down while you sleep - dryer at night' tarif?

[Cousin Jack]

Smart meters are s con. The industry want them so that rhey can introduce demand-based tariffs, ie more expensive when YOU want it, cheap when no bugger wants it

I havent got one, dont want one, and shall continue being a Luddite for the forseeable future.