My fixed quotes were ridiculous. Between 6 and 7 grand a year so I've stayed on variable
I'm with Eon Next and we were on a fixed rate until May and we were paying 2 grand a year so DD of £168 a month
We are in a 4 bed detached both wfh not very thrifty with usage use a tumble dryer computers on all the time. 4 or more showers a day we're a family of 6
On variable it has gone to £3200 a year so an extra £100 a month on DD. We have been paying this since May now and we have built up credit of about £500
Hoping they freeze it as it is now but think this will be the new normal and the prices won't go back down to what they were

For a start I'm not fixing and I'm staying on the variable rate. The prices I'm quoted are above the October price cap and I'm not prepared to pay the extra right now

I know that previously you’d get the best deal by switching and fixing but that’s no longer the case. Market prices (as in the price the companies buy their gas/electricity IN at) are so unstable that their fixed prices are ridiculous. They know that because at the moment they don’t want you to fix.

You are better off staying with your current supplier and going onto their standard non-fixed rate which is about to be capped by the government. But it’s important to understand that that cap is a cap on unit and standing charge prices and not on the total price you’ll pay. It won’t be an “all you can eat” affair where the maximum you’ll pay is £2,500 even if you use £5,000 worth of energy. There’s another thread on that in AIBU which has good explanations.

I have worked out that my bill over a year at the capped price will be about £500-£600 pounds over what I’m paying at the moment, most of which will be covered by the £400 government grant so I’m fortunate that I won’t really be changing my energy usage.

There’s a lot of drama and hyperbole about at the moment (and seemingly some people who just enjoy another crisis…), I wouldn’t really listen to that.

I'm.fixed at £127pm til 01 May 23. I looked online at my EDF account. If I renewed now, I can fix at £350pm

3 bed cottage. But we don't use the CH much as have open fire, combined boiler set to economy, every light is LED.

Not a clue still haven't received anything.
Currently pay £75 each for gas and electric.

Use around £35-£40 a month in electric and used about £50 in gas over the last 3 months.

If the DD is more than we can afford we will ring them I think SSE say you have between 11-14 days to contact them about it once you receive your new quote.

They'll either have to put us on a prepayment meter or lower the price.

I'm certainly not having a cold home with a 3 year old and twins due December.

If I get put into debt it is what it is. No way are my babies going cold because of this shit show.

We're about £400 in credit on each one atm! Won't last long though will it but it is what it is!

With all the announcements this week I’d stay on variable and see what’s happening

also you don’t want estimates, you want to use your actual usage for the last year and then use that to work out your new price per year/ month

I must admit, I’m totally lost regarding energy bills and prices.
My direct debit for gas and electric went up in July from £106 per month, to now on £151 per month, with the next direct debit review in January.
This is for 3 people living in a very small 3 bed terraced house.
Based on the figures I’m reading about from people on here, and friends, this seems remarkably low (I’d say we use quite a bit of energy, eg I work from home, so lights and computer plugged in all day, DH takes 2 showers a day, washing machine on nearly every day etc).

Am I in for a big shock come January??
Should I increase my DD from now?
(we’re getting a smart meter installed next week, so not sure if I should wait to see actual usage).

Truss is making an announcement about energy prices today do hold on before you get the calculator out

It depends on your price per kwh, standing charge and how much gas and electricity you use as to whether the amount you pay is enough. Are you in credit or debit? Do you submit regular readings?

You cannot compare a monthly direct debit. You need to compare the energy price per unit. It's pointless comparing someone else's direct debit amount as its meaningless. They could have the heating on 25 degrees 18 hours a day or not have it on at all!

@dementedpixie we are in credit. Last electric reading was June, and gas was this week. Standing charge is 56.51 combined a day.

Ours was lower than I'd anticipated but I expect with actual meter readings it's going to go up. They warned they revisit it after 3 months to see if it needs adjusting.

Yeah I agree with this

I did the sums based on our usage over the last year and have set the DD at £260/month, previously it was £110/month, which until April this year was pretty much exactly right. The fixed price we were offered was £490 which is ridiculous, and not reflective of our actual usage, nor even our likely costs if the predicted increases in Oct and Jan go ahead. I will monitor it and if/when price increases take effect I will adjust our DD accordingly.
For context we live in a large 4 bedroom detached new build style house.

I don't think anyone should take a fixed price 'deal' just now. Instead people should change their direct debit to cover their bills based on a years usage at today's prices, divided by 12. Then make sure it's adjusted each time the prices change. This retains some level of control over the monthly cost.
Alternatively just pay the bill whenever it comes in. But this could be very, very expensive this winter.

Should have said incase it wasn't clear, we are on the variable rate tariff and can change our DD whenever we want

Your direct debit amount is unique to you, based on how much power your energy company thinks you’re going to use over the year, averaged so you’re paying about the same every month. You need to be looking at what you’re getting charged per unit. If you’re currently on a fixed tariff stick with that, when it expires move onto the variable rate - there aren’t any fixed tariffs that are cheaper at the moment, the energy market is incredibly volatile so suppliers are fixing the price per unit at a high price point so they don’t end up selling it for less than it costs them.
If you’re on a variable rate either get a smart meter or take a meter reading every month and log it with your supplier so you’re only paying for what you use - this will stop you from getting into arrears. Draught proof everything, especially the front door to your flat. Tenement stairs are usually baltic, you don’t want that seeping under the door. Rugs feel warmer than hard floors - if you go barefoot get a pair of slippers. Close your curtains as soon as it gets dark, and if they’re thin look at getting linings. Get a snuggly blanket for your sofa and bed, and turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees. Basically imagine you’re a wee Scottish granny from the 50s - cardigans and draught excluders are your friend! The only realistic way you’ll be able to keep your direct debit down is by reducing your usage. Switching is going to have minimal impact until the market settles down, and that’s not going to happen soon.

Yes this.

I really wouldn’t be fixing personally, OP, likely a new cap is announced today anyway…

Your direct debit is way above mine and we are 4 of us in a 3 bed… maybe you use a lot or maybe it’s just a horrible fix, maybe you owe money from last year, maybe it’s mostly based on estimates.. who knows.

My 'new' dd energy price is what I want it to be not what the energy company tells me. I send monthly meter readings and will top up when I (will) need to.

Do people still not understand that they can set their direct debit

@tigerbear Whatever you do, don’t go on a prepayment meter - that’s the most expensive way to pay for power. Make sure your on the cheapest cost/per unit possible and keep your meter readings up to date. If your husband can manage on one shower a day that would be great, but even if he could turn the temp down a notch that would help. It’s basically a matter of using what you need - priorities are keeping the kids warm - and looking where you can save elsewhere, washing at lower temps etc. The little things are really going to add up this winter, so make sure you’re blocking draughts etc. so the heating doesn’t have to work as hard.

Suggested we up it to £325. Currently £181.

@maggiecate sorry for being dense here, but is there a difference between a prepayment meter and a Smart Meter? We’re getting the smart meter installed next week..
DH def needs to shower twice a day, because of his job, but good idea regarding turning the temp down..

Prepayment meter needs to be topped up so you pay for the energy before you use it. A smart meter is like normal meter except it can send readings automatically to your supplier without you needing to read it.

Thanks @dementedpixie

It's been quoted few times, but this really needs repeating

Don't know how I've managed this but just got my new dd amount, says its for the next 3 months... Its a fiver more than what it was so still under a 100 for both gas and electric for a 2 bed house.