Another gas/elec one: will someone check my sums?

[Cockerwalk]

Morning all,

I’ve just sat down and compared my last bill’s standing charge and kWh charges with the OFGEM prediction for October.

Last bill covers from September 2021-March 2022 so a new one due soon but we are on a fixed tariff until Jan 2023.

WIBU to ask someone to please check my attached sums to see if my forecasted numbers are correct? Then I need help deciding what to do next. My provider are saying they are no longer offering fixed rate deals so I guess we’ll be on the SVR from January but how are we billed for that each month? We’re having a smart metre fitted next week: do they bill monthly based on that or will we still pay by direct debit?

I’m on maternity leave from October until (hopefully) July 2023 so I need to start working out how much more we need to save to cover these increases before I’m no longer earning as much as usual.

Thank you!

Sorry: should have disabled voting!

Hi. For the electric calculation you've multiplied your usage by the standing charge rate rather than the kWh rate I think.

Oh you’re right! I have. Thank you. Even more money then.

On the DD point, you'll still pay a fixed monthly amount. They just use the smart meter to take automatic readings, they still do a review of your DD amount every few months to put it up or down so you're not accruing debt.

By "fixed" I mean they'll tell you your DD will be £xxx, they'll take that for six months or however long, then review and either put it up or down for the next six months.

Can i ask OP, did you do that with the money saving exp' calculator?

@Cockerwalk after you recalculate using the pKw rate instead of the standing charge rate, so assuming then your calculations are correct... do you have any other questions? I'd like to help, but not sure what else you're asking?

@feckingusernames just rejigged and it’s added about £150 so now closer to £420 a month of usage for the winter months 🙄

@Dotjones thank you. I’m sure I’ve paid that way before; we’ve definitely not always been on a fixed rate. I wonder what the difference will be between winter and summer usage. I can’t look at last year’s bill because we had moved out for building work to be done so it won’t be accurate.

@Shopboughtmeatballs no, I just used my bill from March and the OFGEM prediction I got from another thread on here. I’ve attached it for you. I have been burying my head in the sand so finally thought I need to actually work this out!

@TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination thank you. I have just recalculated. I know this can’t be an exact science but do you have an estimate re. the difference between Winter and Summer usage? If my usage from September-March is approximately £420 a month, what savings am I likely to make between March-September?

Info I have got: brand new combi boiler and all new radiators. ‘Normal’ shower: not electric. Old double glazing but no noticeable weak points except front and back doors, where I’m going to put up heavy curtains. When it’s too cold to dry clothes on the line in the garden, we have a condenser dryer and as much as I’ll try to cut down use of this, we will have a newborn (and 5 year old).

Sorry: I know this is still vague!

Thanks OP, been feeling a bit overwhelmed with where to start on all this. X

@Cockerwalk sorry I didn't get a notification that you'd replied.

i stated posting what was on my statements, but there are too many of them. I have no idea why but British Gas sent out statements more frequently. I'll look at them in the morning & summarise them.

new boiler & rads will definitely help! as will a 'normal' shower!!

good move to get the heavy curtains if your doors are draughty! I need a new front door (it's beyond help! I'm going to get a composite door for security & lack of maintenance, but I'm faffing because I can't decide in which colour 🤦🏻‍♀️

I was reading another thread today on how little time it takes to recoup the cost if buying a heat pump dryer & how much cheaper they are to run than a condenser dryer.

let me know if you're interested in looking into it & can't find the thread.

at least with a newborn you have a lovely warm snuggly 'ready to go' heat pad!! 😊

there are a LOT of threads about energy saving & ways to stay warm this winter!

I'll pop back in the morning with my summer v winter analysis!!