Energy Issues

Nearly two in five households think the new Energy Price Guarantee completely stops bills from going over the £2,500 amount, this is incorrect.  Many are under the impression that they can use unlimited energy for £2,500, which is totally wrong.  It risks some people, possibly vulnerable disabled or elderly people, thinking they can keep the heat on max all winter, and that they will not pay more than this amount.  But just as the less you use the less you will pay, the more you use, the more you will pay.

For someone on typical use the charges will be around £2,500 a year less the £400 payment to all homes, paid as £66 a month over winter.  This will take the average payment down to £2,100 a year.  Last winter the average payment was £1277 a year.

The government has confirmed that further funding will be available to provide equivalent support of £400 for energy bills for the 1% of households who are not eligible for the discount.  This includes households without a domestic electricity meter, but have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, for example if you live in a park home. 

If you are having, or think that you might have problems in paying your energy bill, your first port of call is your energy supplier.  Ofgem rules mean suppliers must offer payment plans you can afford, and you can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepay meter and can’t top up.

Rev Peter