to think people who don't have Smart Meters and who pay monthly or quarterly are going to be in for a shock at their next bill?

[cakeorwine]

Gas has gone up from 4p a kWH this time last year to 10p a kWH this year.
Obviously people with Smart Meters can see this on their display.

But if you still give readings and wait till the bill arrives, I think there are going to be some real surprises. Gas use is at its highest over the next few months.

I know people will have the £66 off their bill - but it's going to be high.

At least with Smart Meters, you can see daily use. Submitting a reading and then getting a statement and bill is going to be a shock for some people.

It's written on the bill if they don't look at it that's there problem I doubt if they'd find a smart meter any easier ? .

^^ this

@cakeorwine you do realise those of us who don't have DD or smart meter but submit monthly readings to a app are told by the app what our usage is ..?

There isn't any surprises like you think. The app keeps you informed of what you are using , and you can submit readings as often as you what, you can do daily if really want , which will tell you how much you have used.

I think you don't understand how the apps work

OP, I totally get where you're coming from!

Some of the replies here are so utterly condescending.

There are a lot of people who, for whatever reason, won't be as connected to energy use and costs of gas and electricity as the obviously super aware and intelligent people on this thread.

The kinds of people you're actually talking about OP will be the ones to suffer as you say.

Nobody in my entire county has one. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

You beat me to it! OP, you've started a thread that has the distinct tone of 'people are too thick to know what to expect' and that only you, with your clever insight, can help them. That's what makes you sound patronising. I'm sure you don't mean to be, but that's how it's coming across.

Oh you lucky begger, I've never won a thing! I tell myself I'm holding out for the big one ... a free month!

The rising cost of living has been all over the news constantly for months, it’s very patronising to suggest that people aren’t aware of this.

You almost sound a bit smug tbh, like you expect someone to reply ‘OMG WHAT INCREASE PANIC PANIC’

I just agree with this. And in the absence of any actual ‘point’ to the thread, it just sounds like the OP is being a bit smug and patronising.

I used next to no heating in October and November and I really do mean maybe 2 hours in total spread over the 2 months and my bill was double what it previously was when I actually used heating. It's gone up an eye-watering amount. It's pretty clear from various posts on here that there's plenty of people who don't have a grasp of the situation.

Agreed.
I’d rather be in control of my own meter readings and know how much to expect to pay than trust a smart meter.

I'm glad my DGM has enough healthy distrust to not want a smart meter and is assertive enough to tell them so. So many people having issues with them. It wouldn't change her usage anyway, she knows her led lights, ipad, kindle, tv are not what runs up large bills. It's the heating, and I've told her even a degree or two lower would make a difference.

Not if they have rationed their consumption to the minimum.

@cakeorwine

*to think people who don't have Smart Meters and who pay monthly or quarterly are going to be in for a shock at their next bill'

THIS IS NOT ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING A SMART METER

FGS

you write the title of the thread!!

My elderly neighbour has got one and she's becoming obsessive about the readings to the point where she thinks twice about boiling her kettle. It's worsening her anxiety.

Ditto to all that, and Eon works out what I've used and what credit I have virtually by return.

True

And the price cap went from £1277 in April to £2500 in October

Do you know the gas price in kWH in those months or just the price cap?
Did the gas price increase by the same percentage as the price cap?

People know there's been an increase. But do they know the actual percentage increase on the gas?

But they won't be on here reading MN in the first place, so what's the point in OP posting (numerous) threads about it?

It just comes across as obsessive and patronising.

Purely because people who do have a smart meter do know what they are spending.

So this thread rules them out

Well unlike many people on here, I agree with you. The amount our daily use increased from Friday when the temperatures took a drive was still a shock. We didn't have the heating on longer but used a lot more gas as it was so much colder.

People who can’t digest information about price increases and don’t understand how to submit regular readings and keep on top of their usage are probably unlikely to be able to understand what their smart meter is telling them. These people must be fairly vulnerable and would struggle to use a smart meter.

I agree OP, people who are burying their heads in the sand will be in for a shock. According to our smart meter gas is costing £1.83 per hour heating just our lounge, dining room and two bedrooms. We have turned off the rads in other rooms and are keeping the doors closed.

OP have you thought about getting some counselling for your ‘I’m concerned about people being shocked about their energy bills’ anxiety? It seems very extreme and becoming obsessive / taking over your Sunday evening arguing with people about it?

I have an app it tells me every day without the need for a smart meter .

I’m dubious tbh about smart meters sometimes. My bill last month, 3 bed semi, 5 people cooking, low heating, but in use, was £79 on an old meter. It’s forecast on useage so far I’d say to be £140 this month on my calculations.