To ask what you’re doing about energy prices?

[Nc4post99]

Our supplier went belly up so we’re on the variable tariff and the cost of fixing makes me balk, it’s so hideously expensive right now will have gone from £80 to £220 per month.

If you’re on a variable rate, what are you doing? Fixing now or waiting it out ? Martin Lewis’s advice isn’t particularly helpful atm, I think he’s in the wait and see camp, but surely it’s likely when the price cap lifts all the energy companies are going to raise their fixes even more, because they can?

I don’t know what to do

I’m with Bulb, god knows what hideous tariff I’m in for if the business can’t be rescued and we get moved to another supplier. At least it should be a bit warmer by then.

@NoWordForFluffy we pay slightly more tax I think...but no water bills or monthly equivalent of council tax. We have an annual property tax which starts at €90 per year and increases according to house value.

If I turn my radiators off upstairs and rely on the heat rising upwards, will this help reduce my bill.

If I turn my radiators off upstairs and rely on the heat rising upwards, will this help reduce my bill.

Yes it will. Close the windows and any doors to rooms you don't use. Curtains help to keep the heat in.

The weather's not that cold.

It's 2.8 degrees here in southern Hampshire right now!!

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

If I turn my radiators off upstairs and rely on the heat rising upwards, will this help reduce my bill.

Yes it will. Close the windows and any doors to rooms you don't use. Curtains help to keep the heat in.

The weather's not that cold.

Thank you I shall do this tonight

@SantaMonicaPier

We're looking to reduce useage where we can - heating down a degree, trying colder washes, and we've just got a heat pump dryer. Our current fix ends in two months and is much cheaper than the existing cap let alone the new one so having looked at our annual useage in line with the new cap I've increased our dd from £130 a month to £230

I've actually found that I feel warmer after a few weeks of turning the heating down a degree. Now at 16 from 17.

The temperature doesn't drop any lower than it did before (13/14 at the thermostat by the front door when the heating first turns on) and it's still at 16 now when the heating turned off at 7:30pm. I think the more consistent temperature means it's actually more comfortable now.

We got reasonably lucky with a fix just before this all kicked off properly as I read a few articles and could see it getting much worse. I do wonder though if the supply prices continue to increase whether the energy companies will find some way to squirrel out of the cheaper fixed tariffs that people are already on - could that happen do you think?

I'm with Eon Next and they offered me a 12 month fix a couple of days ago that's the same rate as the price cap. I signed up!my mum didn't get the email but I logged into her account and signed her up too. It's called online v11.

Heating off, layering up and sitting under a couple of blankets with a hot water bottle. Or should that be no blankets cos DCat has dragged them onto the floor and donut'd him inside them! Bed time might justify putting the electric blanket on for half an to hour

@Flumpywoo I just got this email about an hour ago and was going to have a good look into it

[quote Minniem2020]@Flumpywoo I just got this email about an hour ago and was going to have a good look into it[/quote]
I was a bit nervous at first, but given that prices will likely go up again in October, I thought it was worth it. Now with what is going on in the world, I'm wondering whether I should have signed up to the 2 year fix. But that was higher than the price cap, for obvious reasons, so I stayed safe and went for the 1 year.

[quote MattHancocksPrivateNurse]@berksandbeyond these are my (hideous) options! Current tariff ending in April and we pay £139 which I thought was a lot when we fixed it . It seems obvious to go with the variable but surely there’s a reason the fixed are so much more expensive?! Part me would prefer to fix for the security but not if I’m paying £80 more a munch for the privilege![/quote]
Is the variable they are quoting the current one or the one coming in in April? That will make a big difference. Sorry if I've missed that somewhere. I suppose i better go to Specsavers!

Righty or wrongly I've fixed . Took a gamble as I'm frightened it will keep going up .

@Flumpywoo
I went for the two year , I kind of convinced myself it would work out cheaper long term

Staying variable.

We are also making a huge effort to cut usage, every little helps.

@brainhurts

Righty or wrongly I've fixed . Took a gamble as I'm frightened it will keep going up .

Which seems more likely than ever with the situation in the Ukraine.

we're with eon next and we fixed yesterday for 12 months. there's no exit fee. our direct debit will go from £82/month to £110/month for electricity - 5 bed house, 2 adults 1 toddler. we have oil for heating.

[quote brainhurts]@Flumpywoo
I went for the two year , I kind of convinced myself it would work out cheaper long term [/quote]
I think I will be wishing I did the same!

Many of the basic things already mentioned like limiting gas heating, oven, etc. using heated throw more often when WFH.
One thing which made a big impact was using the dishwasher on eco rather than auto setting. I also use eco more on washing machine too. It takes longer of course but it has cut both my electricity and water usage quite substantially.
I’m also taking fewer baths and more quick showers.