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.

I believe it has not yet sunk in that energy has more than doubled in price, people think the govt support has done a lot more than it has, a very mild autumn and some people believing the cap is a cap on your bill.

Come next April, many people will be in debit to the supplier but prices will go up by 50% so will struggle to build up credit or pay off debt, add in far less help too.

You still don't need a smart meter.

They might be a more convenient way of checking your usage but lots of people can't have them for various reasons, and they all seem to manage perfectly fine.

I’m not going to sit looking at a smart meter ticking over and turn the heating down if I’m cold. I know a tumble drier uses more than a lightbulb but if it needs to be on 🤷‍♀️

It won’t come as news to most people that their energy costs more than this time next year.

There are vast swathes of the population who have lower than average IQs who are not on Mumsnet and who will have a huge shock.

I think anyone who's being supercilious about "how easy it is to check my meter and calculate the cost" is living a very privileged life where intellectual concepts and financial literacy come easily to them.

This. It's really easy.

I recorded my outdoor meter readings over 24hrs, I now know exactly what it costs to heat my house in the evening (the only time I have it on)

I don't get a shock I know it's barely affordable but what can I do?
Can't get a smart meter as it's not compatible with my 15yr old property 🙄
Also not going to read my meter daily or check usage as its not actually in my property, electricity meter is two floors down, gas meter is the same plus a 2 min walk and steep path, no chance in this weather!
All I can do is cut down as much as possible and hope for the best 🙏.

My concern is for people who submit a reading and who are going to get a large bill that they might not be expecting.

Why are you concerned for people though? I'd feel a bit sorry for someone if they did happen to start a thread expressing surprise now, would you be straight in with 'Ha! you should have had a smart meter!!' ?

It's absolutely no shock to me, it's all the press have been talking about for the last 3 months solid 😂

Exactly. Martin Lewis never shuts up about it-Holly and Phil sit there with their concerned faces on every week.

Depending on your supplier, yourself that bit 🙄

My supplier one of the main ones you can submit readings on your phone or laptop/pc and it shows you everything and automatically adjusts your balance straight away with how much you have used.

The app will also take a photo of your meter and read it for you, reading your usage has never ever been easier.

Basically - this.

There are going to be some expensive winter bills with the cold snap.
There is support from the Government but that ends soon.
The energy price cap is changing.

There are people who don't get the price cap - it had to be repeatedly explained on here and in the media.

Debt issues, social issues, poverty

I work for a charity. I see these issues

I don't have a smart meter as I have a dual rate meter and they are not available. I kind of get what your saying that if you look at your monitor and exactly how much that kettle or shower has cost you that you might be more likely to change your habits. But honestly, I think people are fully expecting big bills; it's been in the news constantly.

Actually, I have started and contributed to many threads where people have expressed surprise and given support on reducing usage.

And have complained to IPSOS about misleading articles on energy saving.
I work with clients who are struggling to heat their homes and pay their bills.
And I fear it's going to get worse

our energy provider has recalculated our direct debit several times in the last 15 months - we're now paying 3.5 times what we were18 months ago. how many people do you know who are paying on receipt of a bill? genuine question...

and we don't have smart meters because we did have them but our first-generation gas one went doolally several years ago and we had to end up paying a guesstimate of our usage so - although i know they have moved on - i'm now determined to be in the last tranche of folk forced into having them!

I was read that energy companies are considering charger higher rates at peak times (e,g, 5-9pm when most people come home from school/work) but they’ll only be able to do this with those on smart meters. I’m not sure if they’ll use this as a way to force everyone into the smart meters, or to squeeze the working/middle class for more money but it makes me sick.

I have a smart meter but I agree OP. I work in social services and there will definitely be some people in for a shock when the bill comes in.

You're getting a lot of flack because MN is generally incapable of understanding that there are people in this country who struggle with this sort of stuff.

What makes me laugh is the people who talk about not wanting a smart meter as they are made in China and at some point in the future they can turn your energy off. This on an open FB group 😂

Luckily I'm with octopus and a) on a fixed rate until June and b) I have to send a meter reading in every month. I'm massively in credit at the moment.

But gas this winter is 2 1/2 times last year
presumably most of us are expecting bills that are 2.5 times plus daily charges etc then? Why does having a smart meter make any difference?

Honestly you can just look at your meter and work out your bill. Added bonus you don’t pay for the electricity to run a smart meter and no one can turn off your supply from outside.

Nonsense - unless of course you haven't read any news in the last twelve months or indeed spoken to anyone or been on Mumsnet. Otherwise, yeah massive shock!

It's going to be a shock.
Obviously people with payment meters can see it now.
But I am worried about the next 2 quarters. And then next year when / if the Government support changes

Some may find it a shock, others won't. I sent in a reading last week, after 3 months, for the electricity, and we are £182 in credit.

I'm not having a smart meter, too many problems with them.

I find my smart meter very helpful as at one glance I can see what effect something is having on my costs. I can see what that tumble dry is costing me. I was able to see yesterday that with 3 loads of washing ( one at 90 ) and 2 tumble loads plus all the usual it cost me 4.40 whereas normally it is about 3.00