Energy bill increases

[cougie uk]

he has but all the stuff is linked via multiple alexas controlling the lights etc , his gas bill has trebled though and hes worried to turn it on

Early Xmas present of a heated throw and a fleecy hoody or something? And an explanation of how much it costs to run ?
I think a lot of people have no idea of the cost so they're avoiding using things.

 

[Alex321]

Unfortunately as a cynic of capitalism I have to wonder if this is the first introduction of time based rates, They entice people to reduce rates at peak times then when they realise people can reduce need at peak times that put the price up at those times.

Octopus Agile has always been time based rate - both for import and export. Linked to the half hourly wholesale prices for each day as announced the previous day.

 

[DaveReading]

Agreed if that's the goal, again the cynic thinks it's more about profit & saving money by not having to build more equipment, than saving the planet.

If the energy companies making more profits is a consequence of saving the planet then I guess we can grit our teeth and look the other way.

 

[mjr]

Details from Octopus on how they work out the energy savings.

"We’ll look at your historical smart meter data leading up to a Session, and calculate what you usually use at that time of day, on average.

If the Session is on a weekday, we’ll look at your half-hourly usage over the last 10 weekdays (excluding saving session days). If the Session is on a weekend, we’ll look at your half hourly usage over the last 4 weekend days. These half hourly averages are then subject to an ‘In Day Adjustment’ which will make adjustments based on how much energy you’ve used on the day of the session.

We then use these adjusted half-hourly averages as a benchmark – so you’ll earn points for every kilowatt hour you save during your Session."

So to maximise your income, shift your usage to peak times on non-Session days and help overload the grid.

They've not thought this through. Even ignoring the fact that it offers no reward to those already cutting their peak-time electricity use for nearly-altruistic reasons to keep doing so, the tragedy of targets and the obvious negative consequences should force changes before launch.

 

[gbb]

So pre the last price increase, we decreased our bills from iro £140 per month down to £120' down to around £110. This last months bill electric and gas combined) £180.
Wouldn't have been so bad but they did some odd electricity estimated reading so in reality its not £180...the one time you want them to do it right, when they do so every other time...pah.

 

[midlife]

This is a new one on me.

Unless I am reading it wrong the energy companies can remotely convert your smart meter into a pay-as-you go meter and up the tarrif.....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63554879

 

[Alex321]

This is a new one on me.

Unless I am reading it wrong the energy companies can remotely convert your smart meter into a pay-as-you go meter and up the tarrif.....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63554879

They can, but if they follow the rules, only when you have a history of non-payment and other avenues have failed to resolve it.

They should never be switching people who are up to date with their payments.

 

[DaveReading]

It's OK, the regulator has written the energy companies a strong letter ...

 

[Scaleyback]

I have never had (or wanted ) a smart meter. Unnecessary if you can read your own meters and do simple arithmetic.

 

[Alex321]

I have never had (or wanted ) a smart meter. Unnecessary if you can read your own meters and do simple arithmetic.

And if you are not going to be generating any of your own or want to go on timed rates.

 

[chris-suffolk]

And if you are not going to be generating any of your own or want to go on timed rates.

Even generating my own, still no need for a smart meter.

 

[Alex321]

Even generating my own, still no need for a smart meter.

Presumably not exporting on a per unit tariff then?

I think it probably only a matter of time before they start insisting that everybody go on smart meters. It saves them a lot of money in meter reader salaries.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Presumably not exporting on a per unit tariff then?

I think it probably only a matter of time before they start insisting that everybody go on smart meters. It saves them a lot of money in meter reader salaries.

Was it not a target to have everybody already changed over by now?

 

[cougie uk]

I have never had (or wanted ) a smart meter. Unnecessary if you can read your own meters and do simple arithmetic.

They're really handy for seeing what items are using the power. Track down any old bulbs and things.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Concur , long time hater of smart meters but it’s good now as I can see what I’m spending daily .