How the f*** are you all managing your electric bills?

[cofingalthetime]

I don't have gas...
Electric has gone up from 139 per month, to 225, and now the latest is 450...

I don't know how I'm supposed to manage.

Do you all pay by DD. I don't want a meter, I had one before, and it was a nightmare, so expensive.

If 450 goes out of my account next month I won't be able to buy food or petrol or clothes

I got the 150 from the council, and paid it immediately into my electric ,b ut that's a drop in the ocean. How are you all managing.

I'm really really scared.

I don't have any gas? So heating is electric I suppose. In the winter it gets so cold as there is no central heating, it's not well insulated, and we have to use electric heaters.

Yep do all this already. And I don't drink much tea, so hardly ever boil the kettle except I suppose for boiling pasta or rice or potatoes. And I think it might be cheaper than waiting half an hour for the water to heat up on the cooker.

I just can't think that far ahead tbh. I just try to make the next payment!

I'm desperately hoping things will change before winter.

yes it's an immersion. I don't have a timer, so yes, I suppose sometimes forget to turn it off. Can definitely improve on that.

That does seem like alot even with the price rises, how many of you in the house??

You absolutely don't need to take another fixed rate for 1 or 2 years. Is that what the £450 is for?

If you don't take a fixed rate you will be put on their standard variable rate instead which is covered by the price cap.

They are telling me if I do nothing I will be moved to their Standard Tariff.

However, if I choose a tariff now, it will be protected (they say the standard one can go up at any time). The cheapest offered is 450.

So would you all say wait and see

Sounds right if you have an immersion heater, I had one in my old house they are extremely expensive to run especially if you don't turn it off.

What are the prices per kwh/standing charge offered on the fixed rate?
The price cap will next be reviewed in October and will probably rise again at that point.

I have refused to fix at the moment as the prices were crazy compared to the SVR.

I have gas for heating and cooking, but my friend who has electric only paid also £450.00. Since then she keeps even 15C at home if there is a need to do so. It's all is just incredibly sad and frustrating.

Don’t tie in to a tariff, go on the variable rate. We’re all electric. Been paying £155 per month since the beginning of last year then two months ago they increased it to £204 but it’s now gone down to £188. Be aware of your usage and your standing charge and unit rates. Know how many units you use in a year and work out how much you should be paying annually.

It will be the electric heating that’s making it so expensive. Gas CH is so much cheaper than any kind of electric heating. Even factoring in the rise in prices. I had a house with storage heaters once, never again, they were shit and cost a fortune.

I'm on pre payment meters with Utilita and haven't noticed any difference in what I top up. Really hoping it stays like this!

The price cap is due for review in October and then I think its moving to every 3 months after that.

I dont really think it's a good time to fix unless the rates offered aren't too far above the current price cap.

My current SVR prices are:

Electricity - 27.84p/kwh and 49.38p standing charge

Gas - 7.33p/kwh and 27.22p standing charge

How do your fixed rates compare to them?

I would definitely go on the variable tariff. What company are you with. We were paying £129 a month with Scottish Power. Our fixed rate ended at the end of April. Their cheapest fixed rate deal was £375 a month. We went on the variable rate which is capped and we are now paying £165 a month for electric.

You need to get off the company’s new fixed tariff on to the standard variable rate (if that not what you are on already)

My direct debit has gone to triple the price it was before Christmas. It's not actually equal to what I've been using so I called the electricity supplier and demanded they lower it and pay me back the money they're holding on my account. I'm good with money so don't need to worry about building up a credit with them (I'd rather keep the money in my own account than have it in theirs). Most are raising direct debits well above where they should be but I wonder if it's to soften the blow of the next increase in October.

Mine has increased from €35 to €60 weekly.

I know :( I don't think I can move at the moment though. It costs quite a lot to move house doesnt it, with a possible extra month's rent, and all the associated costs with setting everything up again. Maybe I should consider it though. I like the house and position. The heating and immersion is a problem though. Big problem. I'm getting some more of those plug in electric radiators. They don't cos much to run, but you do have to buy them in the first place.

You mean you're on a fixed tariff ? When it finishes, don't take up another fixed tariff as they're the ones which have increased the most. Ask to be put on a standard variable tariff , where there will be a cap. This is what Martin Lewis, moneysavingexpert, has been recommending since all the increases began.

Where on earth do you live that UC covers your rent?! The housing allowance here is about half what the rent would be… not that there’s many available anyway.

Ask to be taken off the direct debit and just pay what you use. (You can see what you use on the smart meter. I don't think anyone would suggest you get a prepayment meter)

We have a 5 bed house and my actual use is around £200 a month. I pay extra into a savings account each month which I will use to pay the extra when the bills go up in the autumn.

Mine gone up from £116 to £239 to £389. I haven’t been able to pay it the last 2 months so I’m almost £800 in debt already. I’ve asked if they can do a payment plan and they said yes, but the minimum payment will be £389 which is the whole monthly bill??

Absolutely don't go on a tariff and do not agree to a direct debit. Set up your own standing order.

Don't you mean how the fuck are you all managing your electricity bills and your food bills and everything else?