Gas and Electric bill going from £140 to £560?

[SleepDreamThinkHuge]

I am with Shell and from last month they are saying my energy bill has gone up to £560 a month which I told them makes no sense as I live in a 3 bedroom house and use the same levels I did when I was paying £140 a month. Told them this is not affordable and makes no sense. They said this is the new rate due to huge rises. I told them I cannot afford it and told them to continue paying £140 a month DD. They said that is fine but in the long run I will owe them money. Saw my last bill currently owe them £420.

What can be done? Although I am still paying £140 a month they are saying it has gone up to £560 a month which makes no sense as I am not using more I have a smart meter and cannot understand how it can go up by up to 4 times! They seem to be unhelpful and not providing solutions just saying in the long run I will owe them a lot of money if I do not increase my payments significantly.

Well, yes. Gas and electricity prices have massively increased. If you haven’t changed your usage, that increase sounds about right, particularly if you’ve just come off a fixed rate deal.

If your DD hasn’t been covering the amount you use, you will owe even more.

Questions you need to consider:

1. Have you just come off a fixed rate?
2. Do you have arrears?
3. What is your actual usage?

Look for an annual estimate of usage and cost on your bill. If the last bill was at current rates then the cost should be right assuming the rates stay the same for the next year.

Add your debt and divide by 12 to get what you should be paying by dd monthly.

Rates are expected to go down next winter so you may need to revise your dd down when this is clearer.

Yes, that's what it costs now

I've a 2 bed flat - it was £460 last month

I can well imagine a 3 bed house is over £500

Jesus Christ, are you a beacon to ward off boats or something. £250 average for a 3 bed semi… what are people doing to run up £500 bills!

The OP is talking about the direct debit, not a winter bill. Average dd would be just over £200 (£2.5k/year). I pay £1k a year for a three bed.

£460 for a flat has to be a quarterly bill?

Also in a 2 bed flat. Mine was £140 on a smart meter so accurate usage
I use around £2.50 electric a day and £2 gas

I'm with Shell and their cost estimates are ridiculous. I now pay a variable monthly DD based on our actual use.

OP we're using 1/3 less gas and electric than this time last year but our bills are doubled.

You should take meter readings on 1st of every month and use an online calculator to work out the costs. Then you know whether you are paying enough or not.

If you get into arrears they can switch you to prepay which is most expensive. If you have a smart meter they can do the switch remotely.

Be warned

What have you done to reduce your usage?

With a mild-ish Jan and Feb we reduced our usage 35% on 2022, and will likely reduce our March usage by 15%.

Surely it depends on the flat?

It could be a modern box with good insulation and efficient gas heating, an older purpose built version with some sort of crappy electric heating (this is what MIL lives in and her winter bills were eye watering but needs must) or part of a converted older house with large rooms, high ceilings, single glazing and inadequate insulation, again bills aren't going to be cheap and not necessarily compact accommodation.

The OP appears to be quoting the change in her DD amounts which on their own are meaningless as they don't account for usage, debt on the account or the increase in the unit rate that the OP has personally experienced, eg if and when she came off an old cheap fix.

But as the electricity unit rate has more than doubled and gas gone up 3 to 4 times, plus substantial increase in the standing charges, it might not be that far out unfortunately.

OP if you look in the energy help link on Moneysavingexpert.com there's an 'is my DD fair' calculator where you can plug in the numbers and get advice as to how to challenge the new amount if its unfairly high.

You can also get advice on help with the cost if you're on a lower income and struggling to pay.

I'd be checking emails very closely. I'm with shell and every time tariffs/ prices change etc they send a breakdown an estimate of annual usage in kWh for gas and electric and detail payments needed to cover it taking into account any balances or debt on the account.they also send out summaries of how much energy you actually used over the previous 12 months.

What is the smart meter saying you are spending weekly on gas and electric op?

In my case I'm using a third of the gas last year and slightly less electric but the bill is 50% more even allowing for £66 govt support deduction which is now ending so my monthly payments will go up.

I suspect these people are on electric only, it's the only way it could be that much even if you're property isn't very well insulated. Hopefully, they can afford it, as most of us just couldn't pay that.

This thread appears to be yet another energy thread where the OP doesn't appear to understand the prices have gone up, I mean, it's clearly been well hidden, no one has mentioned it ,right?

Our DD has gone up by half as much again (Bulb then Octopus). Our usage has dropped by 20%. We’re on £180 for a 3 bed semi. Our actual usage in the last 3 months has been closer to £400 - but this will even out over the summer. Definitely look at usage.

This

I'm with Shell. Sounds about right! Price for gas and electrics literally tripled. I just bought my first home in Dec and kept close eye on my usage and cost, wrote all my units daily, I'm in 3 bed house end terrace - my gas is £320 (heating on from 6pm to 6am daily) and electrics are £68 (im on my own so washer/dryer only on once a week and cooker/oven is electric but not much needed for one person cooking. My DD set up to £260, for now i keep same amount and will balance out the bill during summer month when heating not on. Everyone correct to point out - you need to be very strict on your usage and also make sure you know exactly the cost per kw etc. on your bill, always check your meter reading are actual and not estimated.

You need to be Taking end of Month readings around 28th then write them down and check the Math per KW, check your readings are matching your bills, even re upload online.. the reading every month and stop trusting the Smart uploads. About £300 per month for Both is about normal in cold months with average usage. Your bills will be way over £140 in less you literally never use heated appliances. Iv got 2 bed Mid Terrace at about £268 a month Dual. You need to get on the lowest fixed rate for 2024 try EDF. Switch boiler completely of every night, heating on and of during days. Don't use Tumble Dryers dry on line or Airers. Quick 30 min washer. Pay that bill once you've checked its accurate in extra instalments or you will just get billed Thousands. Yours does sound a bit excessive in less your always with heat on, loads of baths, tumble drying and leaving boiler switched on all night even if heat is of and Teens not unplugging chargers as they are Vampire appliances. Best advice is you need better Tariff Fixed, go online and get quotes.

@ArticPix This thread is almost a year old.

Have you considered switching providers? I had a similar issue with my previous provider, and a friend recommended a code for Octopus energy. Their rates are transparent, and their customer service is top-notch. Plus, they offer referral codes that can help you save even more. It might be worth looking into as a solution to your current situation.