Meter readings

[gurnemanz]

Thanks ff. I think there are separate meters for gas and electricity. If they're supplied separately, I guess one can go for one, and then turn down the other if a charge for it is to be imposed.

Yes. The same meter can't measure gas and electricity. There are four elements as far as I can see. A gas meter and an electricity meter of the new kind which can send consumption details to a hub installed somewhere nearby (in my case right next to the electricity meter). This hub sends the information on to the supplier. The fourth item is the indicator which displays the consumption information to you. (That's the gadget that appears on the site linked to above.) I've had this setup for a few years now and it is certainly more convenient than having to read it yourself. If I want to monitor consumption I find it preferable to go online rather than look at that display gadget, which in my case is more or less redundant.

I remember some comments at the time warning about invasion of security attached to this system. They can cut off your supply remotely. I suppose a hacker might be able to gain access. I haven't noticed anything and do find the online monitoring app quite useful, in my case British Gas.

[antongould]

As I hope we are all aware HMG has decided that customers energy charges will be reduce by £400 in total, by monthly instalments, over the period 01/10/2022 to 31/03/2023.
After asking Ofgem and my supplier - EDF - it is patently obvious to me that they have as yet no idea how, in detail, it is to be done.
When I was a lad if this had been introduced our company would have had it all detailed by now and we would have started informing our customers. But those days are long gone and will remain so as long as Sir Keir sees nationalisation as something the Red Wall and beyond doesn’t like ….

[DracoM]

Ditto with EON!!

[french frank]

As I hope we are all aware HMG has decided that customers energy charges will be reduce by £400 in total, by monthly instalments, over the period 01/10/2022 to 31/03/2023.
After asking Ofgem and my supplier - EDF - it is patently obvious to me that they have as yet no idea how, in detail, it is to be done.

I've had an email from my supplier giving most of the details but saying they await final confirmation. I can't remember whether the grant is sent to consumers (if they pay by direct debit) - I think it may go directly to the supplier.

With my new smart meter I see that that my daily gas consumption is about the same as the daily standing charge (33p). The electricity standing charge (56p)is about one third of the daily electricity consumption.

[Petrushka]

As I hope we are all aware HMG has decided that customers energy charges will be reduce by £400 in total, by monthly instalments, over the period 01/10/2022 to 31/03/2023.
After asking Ofgem and my supplier - EDF - it is patently obvious to me that they have as yet no idea how, in detail, it is to be done.
When I was a lad if this had been introduced our company would have had it all detailed by now and we would have started informing our customers. But those days are long gone and will remain so as long as Sir Keir sees nationalisation as something the Red Wall and beyond doesn’t like ….

I don't pay by direct debit so it should simply be a straightforward monthly deduction of £66 or £67 coming off the bill. For those paying by DD surely it needs to do exactly the same?

[french frank]

I don't pay by direct debit so it should simply be a straightforward monthly deduction of £66 or £67 coming off the bill. For those paying by DD surely it needs to do exactly the same?

What I read suggested there was no problem if you paid by DD. It was if you didn't that it was more complicated.

Ah, but Martin Lewis has the details.

[Pulcinella]

What I read suggested there was no problem if you paid by DD. It was if you didn't that it was more complicated.

Ah, but Martin Lewis has the details.

Not sure it'll be failsafe.

If your DD is more than £66/67 then presumably you'll be charged the difference, which will then be taken.
But our electricity payment is currently (ha ha) less than that, so how will any 'refund' be applied?
Will the overall account eventually go into credit and we'll have to ask for a payment back into our bank account?

[french frank]

If your DD is more than £66/67 then presumably you'll be charged the difference, which will then be taken.
But our electricity payment is currently (ha ha) less than that, so how will any 'refund' be applied?
Will the overall account eventually go into credit and we'll have to ask for a payment back into our bank account?

Not sure what my electricity DD is as I pay a lump sum (£113) for dual fuel. I always have an overall slight balance which doesn't bother me too much. Not sure why the govt grant should only apply to electricity. I've just decommissioned the freezer as I don't use it enough, so may well have a monthly expense less than £66. The only parallel is at the Coop where I had 50p off tinned fish and for once chose sardines, rather than anchovies, which only cost 45p: I got the sardines for nothing and a refund of 5p . Let's hope you make a similar profit on the deal!

[Pulcinella]

Not sure what my electricity DD is as I pay a lump sum (£113) for dual fuel. I always have an overall slight balance which doesn't bother me too much. Not sure why the govt grant should only apply to electricity. I've just decommissioned the freezer as I don't use it enough, so may well have a monthly expense less than £66. The only parallel is at the Coop where I had 50p off tinned fish and for once chose sardines, rather than anchovies, which only cost 45p: I got the sardines for nothing and a refund of 5p . Let's hope you make a similar profit on the deal!

I think because (almost?) everyone will have an electricity account, but the other fuel used will vary (gas, oil, community hot water, etc) so it's easier to apply it to those [electricity] accounts.

[oddoneout]

I think because (almost?) everyone will have an electricity account, but the other fuel used will vary (gas, oil, community hot water, etc) so it's easier to apply it to those [electricity] accounts.

In my part of the world a lot of households are oil and some are bottled gas so any gas credit wouldn't benefit them. The total number of households without an electric connection must be very small? The situation for those feeding power back into the grid might prove interesting.
As is often the way those in most need might end up with the most difficulties. Those on standard prepayment meters will have to hope and trust that the voucher system a) works and b) is recognised and can be used at top-up points. Past history with gov't voucher schemes may well not inspire confidence. There are question marks over whether those whose rentals include electricity will in fact get the credit - they should, but that doesn't mean they will.

Greg Hands Energy Minister said: Coupled with world-leading action to radically enhance our home-grown energy security, we will continue to be on the side of British consumers now and into the future.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/4...ds-this-winter
So that's alright then...

[Serial_Apologist]

Unlike others in our block I haven't received the £150 council rebate they told us would automatically be paid into our banks accounts if we paid Council Tax by direct debit, so I'm not too sanguine about the chances of getting this payment, even though I pay by joint gas/electric bill by direct debit also. I've tried contacting the council but the online categories don't have a subsection dealing with such matters and the switchboard is on permanent hold. I've tried emailing a local councillor but so far had no replay - maybe she's on holiday.

When it came to renewing with EDF for the end of August it was a lottery deciding whether to go for the fixed payment deal which ends in October 2024. This would have amounted to a triple increase, whereas the variable flexible scheme represents a 1.8x increase, which doesn't seem too bad compared with what one is hearing until one remembers they can increase it again at any time, since the tariff has no end date! Will hyper-inflation come down before the 2-year scheme terminates, leaving me paying more than the then current-inflation rate? In the end I took the advice of another resident, a sensible chap who is on a similar scheme to mine, and decided to stick with what I've got.

[antongould]

I don't pay by direct debit so it should simply be a straightforward monthly deduction of £66 or £67 coming off the bill. For those paying by DD surely it needs to do exactly the same?

I would agree with you Petrushka but the great guru Lewis, and last week the Grauniad, both say no “ Monthly direct debit customers. You'll get the grant automatically, as a deduction on your monthly payment, or as a refund into your bank account shortly after your direct debit payment is taken each month. It's not clear yet which approach each supplier will take – we'll ask providers and will update this story when we know more.”

If this is to be the approach it is fraught with dangers - what if monthly DD payments “bounce” to use the technical term, what if you change supplier and make no DD payment one month … or make two payments ….. I could go on ….

But my main point is that between the government, Ofgem and suppliers this should have been agreed and detailed weeks ago …..

[antongould]

Unlike others in our block I haven't received the £150 council rebate they told us would automatically be paid into our banks accounts if we paid Council Tax by direct debit, so I'm not too sanguine about the chances of getting this payment, even though I pay by joint gas/electric bill by direct debit also.

It was a lottery deciding whether to go for the fixed payment deal applicable to me, which ends in October 2024, when it came to renewing with EDF for the end of August. This would have been a triple increase, whereas the variable flexible scheme represents a 1.8x increase, which doesn't seem too bad compared with what one is hearing until one remembers they can increase it again at any time, because the tariff has no end date. Will the hyper-inflation come down before the 2-year scheme terminates, leaving me paying more than then current-inflation rates? In the end I took the advice of another resident, a sensible chap who is on a similar scheme to mine, and decided to stick with what I've got.

It is indeed a lottery S_A

[Serial_Apologist]

It is indeed a lottery S_A

I am seriously contemplating withholding my Council Tax for a month if I do not receive the £150 I am due, which is almost the same as my Band D CT monthly amount.

[Petrushka]

I am seriously contemplating withholding my Council Tax for a month if I do not receive the £150 I am due, which is almost the same as my Band D CT monthly amount.

Whatever you do, don't do that! You will be giving yourself a whole pile of trouble if you take that route. I would double check, then double check again that you definitely haven't had this rebate payment. Make sure it hasn't appeared on your bank statement as it's quite easy for it to slip through unnoticed. Your council should have telephone/email contact point for any queries relating to this rebate. Last, but not least, check with friends or neighbours to see if they have had theirs as it will give you a date to work from when checking bank statements.

I had mine on May 17 and the payment reference was just my council's name, nothing more.