Please or to access all these features

Sponsored Q&As

This topic is for Q & As run by Mumsnet. If you'd like to sponsor a Q & A, please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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
Mumsnet terms and conditions apply

Do you have questions about household energy? Ask Utilita expert now - £200 voucher to be won
jacqui5366 · 08/04/2024 10:29

Please explain why British Gas make SOO much profit - and our bills are just so high - they even made bumper profits in 2022-3 when the bills were at tehir highest. Just seems so wrong.

DanBenandBud · 10/04/2024 07:19

Will bills EVER come back to near pre covid/Ukraine levels ? My gas/electric has increased by 50% and I am really careful - and not like the thougt that I am paying the debts that defunct providers have accrued - thoughts on that also ?

LittleDeeAndME · 10/04/2024 15:07

If I choose to swap to a new provider, who have a better deal for me, are there now safeguards in place for consumers against providers going bust and then debts being passed on to customers ?

GeminiJen · 10/04/2024 18:27

I have a question about standing charges. No matter how much I economise, mine are still over £300 a year...and that's before I use a single unit of gas or electricity. What's more, while the energy price cap is set to fall this month, I understand that standing charges will increase. This seems so unfair.

  • Is this system likely to change? (I live in hope!)
  • Alternatively, can you recommend any suppliers offering tariffs with no standing charge?
Fisu · 10/04/2024 18:31

Do Utilita offer tariffs to customers following solar panel install that allow energy sell back to the grid?

violentknight · 10/04/2024 19:12

We had to get a smart meter when changing supplier, hoped it might save some money but it quickly broke and our current supplier does not seem interested in repairing it. I understand that pricing is changing next year, will we therefore require a working smart meter to access the new tariff - and if so, who is liable for the repair?

TrumpetOfTheMatriarchy · 10/04/2024 19:13

At the moment we are being encouraged to swap to a smart meter and resisting. Will there come a point in time when we are forced to?

Idontknowwhatiamdoing · 10/04/2024 21:12

Why is there a daily standing charge and what is it paying for? Feels like we are being cheated as this continues to go up and is not subjected to the cap. Wouldn’t it be more simple for the providers, regulators and consumers if there is just a single price for gas and a separate one for electricity?

MadeForThis · 10/04/2024 21:20

What is your best energy saving tip?

Miisty · 11/04/2024 06:16

My disabled son is with Ovo and he has repeatedly raised problems about his meter and wants them to come out to check it Major problem with the last tenant upstairs whose since left They sent debt collectors who forced themselves in and put in a smart meter which does not work .At one time he had no heating He had a support worker but Step change have really let him down due to lots of staff changes for months

YesterdaysCheese · 11/04/2024 10:00

With a husband who works from home, and teenagers in the house, we have what feels like a billion chargers plugged in at all times of day and night - one child has a gaming PC, which is obviously energy guzzling!
What is the most energy efficient way of charging all of our devices - with 4 mobile phones, 4 laptops, plus multiple gaming devices, it feels like our whole house is only there as a giant charging station!

oootapasooo · 11/04/2024 10:43

Is it more economical to leave the thermostat at one temperature?

incywincyspidery · 11/04/2024 12:47

Would it be cheaper to have my heating come on for 15 mins, then off for 15, then on for another 15- or is it better to have it on for 30 mins straight? I've always done the 15 on, 15 off thing, thinking that will keep the room warm for longer as the radiators stay hot in between but have read recently that the biggest cost is when you fire the boiler up in the first place. (I'm super tight when it comes to heating- my kids hate me!)

jazzyclouds · 11/04/2024 13:08

TrumpetOfTheMatriarchy · 10/04/2024 19:13

At the moment we are being encouraged to swap to a smart meter and resisting. Will there come a point in time when we are forced to?

This.

Why still pushing smart meters?? There is literally no use for them

DenDenDenise · 11/04/2024 15:24

Are there still grants available for energy efficient boilers and insulation and who is eligible ? My boiler is around 9 years old and I can't afford a replacement - what would you suggest is my best option for next winter (Don't want to pay by instalments with a boiler company that would end up costing me a lot more than it's worth)

Saint1973 · 11/04/2024 21:22

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
Mumsnet terms and conditions apply

I joined Utilita 4 years ago after a cold call visit because I was promised a Smart Meter so I could top up my gas and electricity from my own home. This is important as I am physically disabled, autistic and my gas meter is in a ridiculous hard to get to position outside. I have requested one many times from the app but to no avail. Why is this?

GreenHome · 12/04/2024 19:35

I have my prepay eletrcity meter with Utilita and my prepay gas meter with EDF.

I want to choose only one company to supply my home and install smart meters.

What would be the adavantages of choosing Utilita and what reassurance can I have regarding accurate readings and not being overcharged?

D20 · 12/04/2024 20:59

Do you think the government should put pressure on appliance manufacturers improve the energy ratings or just rely on consumers to make the best choice they can afford? I was shocked to see the a Samsung Frame TV has such a poor (F) rating recently.

Hotpinkparade · 13/04/2024 13:11

Our electricity meter is in a different part of the building (block of flats) to our gas meter - will this prohibit our getting a smart meter fitted?

RoundRedRobin · 13/04/2024 13:46

We have a smart meter that no longer sends the readings to the supplier, is it possible to get a new one?

JacCharlton · 13/04/2024 17:58

Is it possible to go 'off grid' with solar panels and a wind turbine - which is possible for my home given we live high above our town, can a battery store enough power - alongside a generator ?

frazzled1 · 14/04/2024 09:39

If you turn your smart meter off, can the supplier still cut you off remotely?

littlecottonbud · 14/04/2024 17:15

Do you think our energy prices will reduce back to a reasonable pre covid tariff - and can the UK produce enough power and use North Sea gas to we are not held to ransom by other countries gas/coal.

pushchairprincess · 17/04/2024 14:47

We seem to be so reliant on other countries for our fuel, we 'had' coal. north sea gas and nuclear, and we have so many wind farms - do you think we will become self reliant as a country in the next 20 years ? If not why not ? TY

prawncocktailcrispss · 20/04/2024 13:31

Who would stand the cost if your meter is deep inside a kitchen cupboard and you will need some dismantling to get to it - I would need my oven and fitted units taking out.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Posting is temporarily suspended on this thread.