To worry that people think the price cap means unlimited energy

[Shortjanet]

I've read quite a few comments here where posters seem to think fixed or capped energy prices mean that you can pay a set or limited amount for unlimited energy. It's quite worrying to think how much debt people might run up. The way the headlines are describing it as "bills capped to £x" or similar is helping to fuel the misunderstanding (no pun intended) I think. AIBU to wish the media were being clearer that caps and fixes apply to each kWh used and standing charges, not the total you can pay.

Nah, you blew it 😆

Did some people really think they could have their heating on 24hrs a day at 30c, have immersion heaters and kettles all on constantly and their bill would not exceed £2500? It is staggering that folk need this pointing out. Yes it is a kw cap not a free for all.

So, alternatively when the price cap was 6k or whatever did those living in one bed flat think they'd be paying £6000 a year?!

Did some people really think they could have their heating on 24hrs a day at 30c, have immersion heaters and kettles all on constantly and their bill would not exceed £2500? It is staggering that folk need this pointing out. Yes it is a kw cap not a free for all

Yes, the Prime Minister thought that. I'm staggered that she needs this pointing out to her, but not that the general public are confused by all the misleading and incorrect information being put out in the media and by elected officials.

i suppose if someone else ie the Taxpayer is paying your heating bill you might not realise that but she does have advisers

To be fair I've had to explain the price cap to all my friends who have tertiary education and high flying jobs. They honestly thought that that is all they would have to pay. My dad too who is so clever, Oxbridge educated and at the top of an extremely high brow profession. Although I appreciate having an Oxbridge education hasn't been doing anyone any favours recently. Looking at you Tory government.

If people think that household utilities work like broadband, in that it's a fixed price per month, no matter how much you use, what do they think the meters do, and have they never actually read the bills that are sent?

I received a very clear email from my energy supplier stating what I had used and the cost for last year and my estimated costs based on that usage from 1st October when the prices increase. Hopefully all energy suppliers have contacted their customers to explain what they might have to pay.

I understood the price cap did not mean unlimited usage for a fixed amount but I am aware that not everyone did.

@BarbaraofSeville but your broadband or phone usage is still measured. You just have an unlimited (with the fair usage but slipped in) contract. I think this is what people are expecting for energy.

The problem is you don't know what you don't know. Sure, it's easy enough when you research but when misinformation is being broadcast I can see that it'd be easy to hear "cap £2500" and think you don't need to worry about it if that's an affordable amount.

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