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Do you have questions about household energy? Ask Utilita expert now - £200 voucher to be won

100 replies

LibbyMumsnet · 28/03/2024 12:56

This activity is now closed.

As the cost of living crisis continues to affect households across the UK, many of us have concerns and queries about our energy bills and how to manage them. Russell, Head of Customer Experience at Utilita, is here to help answer your questions.

Do you have questions about what might happen in the event you can’t pay your bills, or what support would be available to you? Curious about whether there’s ways you could budget for or manage your energy payments more effectively? Wondering whether prepayment is really more expensive, or if a smart meter would actually save you money?

  • Everyone who shares a questions on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw
  • One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
  • Russell will be back in a few weeks to answer a number of your questions
About Russell: “Russ joined Utilita in 2017 and has worked in the energy industry for nearly 30 years. He is passionate regarding overall customer experience, and is focused on ensuring customers benefit from the latest innovations that reduce effort. He enjoys interacting with customers directly to fully understand their experience(s) allowing him to be educated on potential issues that need resolving, or solutions that can be implemented.”

Here’s what Utilita has to say:
“Founded as a kitchen table start up in 2003, Utilita was the UK’s first energy challenger brand to take on the ‘big six’. It is the only energy supplier created to help households make their energy spend go further, by revolutionising the Pay As You Go experience.

By improving visibility and control through industry-leading smart meter technology, Utilita households have energy back in their hands.”

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ
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Do you have questions about household energy? Ask Utilita expert now - £200 voucher to be won
LittleDeeAndME · 28/03/2024 16:40

I am nearly 300 in arrears - and overpaying every month by around £50, the main reason was my smart meter was not giving readings and I was paying underestimated amounts. I really want to reduce my monthly direct debit, it was not my fault but feel like am in a situation where I am paying back this for nearly a year - how can I avoid getting in this situation again - my smart meters have been replaced but I am not convinced I will accrue a debt (it being the coldest few months)

SmartiesParty · 28/03/2024 17:18

Why might a smart meter £ spent read different to the bill that comes through?

jellybeanpopper · 28/03/2024 18:54

Are energy prices ever going go down?

MumC2141 · 28/03/2024 20:17

Is a heat pump worth it? And are there any that can double as air con when it’s hot?

DinkyDaffodil · 29/03/2024 06:54

What rights to I have to change my meter to a smart meter from a prepayment one - I am in rented ?

ToriTheStoryteller · 29/03/2024 07:07

Why are the utility companies still chasing customers (weekly call in my case) to have smart meters installed, when we know up to 10% (4 million) of them aren't working accurately, causing those customers to go into debt and face months of stress?

JacCharlton · 29/03/2024 13:58

Can I change providers if I have been in arrears (now paid off) to a cheaper fixed ?

RagnarorBjorn · 29/03/2024 14:05

Is it more cost effective to have underfloor heating on thermostats to just come on when it falls below a set temperature or switch it on and off as we need it?

DanBenandBud · 29/03/2024 15:49

A lot of my neighbours have solar panels - what are your thoughts on these ? it seems like a large outlay for little return in the short term ? do you think they will become 'a thing' again ?

DenDenDenise · 30/03/2024 13:54

My mum was with Bulb - it seemed to be a great company - but months after their collapse, she has had a letter from a debt recovery firm for arrears prior to her transferring over - she paid by direct debit, and always gave monthly readings and was not in arrears - what are her rights - i thought arears to these companies who went bust were part of the price hike everyone paid (she owes about £130)

itsywitsy · 31/03/2024 09:15

I am in arrears - around £1,580 - and my direct debits have been increased to a level I am really struggling to afford - they have told me that I will be put on a meter to pay my electric and gas - this will cost me even more and they will take money for the debt - what is you best advice (other than asking relatives and taking our a loan ?)

ButterOllocks · 31/03/2024 19:14

How stable are the smaller energy companies - they seem to be running on very tight margins, and billpayers are left with the result of many of these going bust - we are paying for this when British Gas are making £millions for the shareholders - thoughts ?

Ilostmyhalo · 01/04/2024 11:06

I have been asked to get a smart meter - but due to the layout of my kitchen it would mean taking off worktops to get to the meter (the last home owner built around it - you can see it to read it but that's about it - who stands the cost of the removal of some of my kitchen units ?

WaterBottlePurple · 01/04/2024 11:07

If I change to a smart meter how much say would i have over its location?

youareonlyhereonce · 01/04/2024 19:22

Now prices are lowering -just, would you go for a 2 year fixed deal or 1 year fixed deal, I want some stability - I am worried that if I fix prices will lower again and I am stuck with a higher rate.

prawncocktailcrispss · 02/04/2024 08:42

Are there any recommended goverment schemes still running to help you insulate your home ? I have a home which always seems to be cold, I have no wall insulation and only a thin layer of loft insulation. I try to keep my curtains drawn early at night to keep any heat in, and have aluminium panels behind my radiators (which I have on for 2 hours a day 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening) I want to keep my home warm without running up large bills. Any gov funded initiatives would help

Beabeautiful · 02/04/2024 15:23

My mums friends, on PCredit get their winter fuel allowance, and spend the lot on a holiday, none of it is used for their fuel - no problem with that - good for them, but on the other hand, a family who use appliances a lot more for 'family things' and are on UC don't get any help in winter - where is the fairness in that. Can you campaign for a scheme to help struggling families and make the winter payments fairer ?

Ariela · 03/04/2024 10:37

Why do energy companies insist on holding a higher balance in advance of the bill than the bill itself is likely to be (on calculating from past consumption)?

Why do we (who never changed suppliers for a cheaper fixed deal) have to subsidise the bad debts acquired from our energy supplier absorbing the collapsed (cheaper) companies? Surely that should be spread amongst the previous customers also acquired from the collapsed (cheaper) company - as they were paying less than us? (which was what we thought would actually happen, not charge us extra)

DinkyDaffodil · 03/04/2024 12:30

Why is there not more help for struggling families on UC ? It's just the pensioners who get £300 for their winter bills - there are some very wealthy pensioners, and some very poor families. Surely there needs to be more done for this age group particularly with a baby.

TonsleyB · 03/04/2024 12:50

Are solar panels worthwhile? And what is your view on getting battery storage for them?

Voicefrog · 06/04/2024 00:26

LittleDeeAndME · 28/03/2024 16:40

I am nearly 300 in arrears - and overpaying every month by around £50, the main reason was my smart meter was not giving readings and I was paying underestimated amounts. I really want to reduce my monthly direct debit, it was not my fault but feel like am in a situation where I am paying back this for nearly a year - how can I avoid getting in this situation again - my smart meters have been replaced but I am not convinced I will accrue a debt (it being the coldest few months)

Give monthly meter readings

Voicefrog · 06/04/2024 00:27

TonsleyB · 03/04/2024 12:50

Are solar panels worthwhile? And what is your view on getting battery storage for them?

Get a desktop quote to see how many energy they are expected to produce and compare against your current usage. No one knows your roof size

PatchworkOwl · 06/04/2024 00:28

Is it worthwhile getting a smart meter fitted?

Voicefrog · 06/04/2024 00:28

Ariela · 03/04/2024 10:37

Why do energy companies insist on holding a higher balance in advance of the bill than the bill itself is likely to be (on calculating from past consumption)?

Why do we (who never changed suppliers for a cheaper fixed deal) have to subsidise the bad debts acquired from our energy supplier absorbing the collapsed (cheaper) companies? Surely that should be spread amongst the previous customers also acquired from the collapsed (cheaper) company - as they were paying less than us? (which was what we thought would actually happen, not charge us extra)

Who's to say they were paying a lesser unit rate? Be thankful the government has caps because lack of competition is bad for you

Voicefrog · 06/04/2024 00:29

youareonlyhereonce · 01/04/2024 19:22

Now prices are lowering -just, would you go for a 2 year fixed deal or 1 year fixed deal, I want some stability - I am worried that if I fix prices will lower again and I am stuck with a higher rate.

Up to you. You want stability. Go for two years. It's a gamble either way. Look at exit fees and usage

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