Stop telling us what your energy DD is!

[anon2022anon]

Let's see how many don't read the post but just the title and react to that.

Stop telling us what your energy DD is or is going to be. It's just a made up number that your energy provider is using to get your money in the bank as a buffer for themselves.

If you're worried about energy (as we all are), why aren't you learning about it?
How much do you pay per unit for electric/ gas?
How much is your standing charge?
Are you on a fixed tariff or variable?
Do you give actual meter readings?
Have you got an idea of your usage? Check your bills, get a smart meter,

It's driving me a little mad, the amount of threads saying they're paying £500 a month, I can't afford it, with no actual relevant information that people can use to say- your usage is unusually high, they're putting your DD up too much you should ask for a reduction, your meter could be faulty. If you struggle with understanding it, just copy out your latest bill and someone will guide you.

I just cancelled that massive fixed tariff and see what happens. Those prices were around 107% higher than the standard variable right now. Just going to have to take a chance on it and see what happens. If the prices increase over 100% it’ll just be as if we were on this high fixed anyway.

I have read most of the OP's posts and skimmed the responses.

OP, you seem to have a good understanding of how household energy usage and charges are calculated.

Maybe you could starts a thread with a title "Help for those who want to understand their energy bills" where you could put into action your offer of "If you struggle with understanding it, just copy out your latest bill and someone will guide you."

I have only recently got to grips with standing charges, Kw/h etc. Prior to all the drama, I just kept a small eye on things, my DD seemed to be where it should be compared to others, I shopped around for a better deal every year or so, and that was it. I just left it in the hands of my energy provider.

With so much else to do, if something isn't broken then it gets left, and I think that's common.

I’m thinking that prices will peak over winter as demand will be highest everywhere that’s cold

So the fix offered at double rate might match winter peak but exceed if it runs to Nov 23

If that doesn’t make sense happy to be corrected

@KweenieBeanz this press release from Ofgem last month says that they have sent warnings to several energy companies over doing that, and asked them to review accounts that they have increased direct debits over the average raise of 64%, and rectify them if it's not justified, offering goodwill if necessary. It also says that 8% of those complaints they received had an increase of over 100%
www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/press-release-ofgem-requires-improvements-energy-suppliers-customer-direct-debits

Some energy providers appear to be better than others, obviously.

@BarbaraofSeville this thread has highlighted to me a couple of responsible companies, which I'm very happy about. It might not be possible to change now, but it's good to know for the future. Every day's a learning day!

@BlackbirdsSinging this is NOT what the OP is talking about .

Just adding this to our new-found wealth of expertise! Who knew?

Sorry it lost a bit there!