Fuel Poverty

[markyboyblue]

I've heard about this a lot lately and have just realised that me and my family are in it. I have changed jobs recently and money is very tight at the moment. We have pre pay meters for the gas and electric and it is costing a fortune. Gas is about £4.00 per day (just when we are in) electric is a lot less. We should really have changed them a while ago but have not got round to it. Anyway at the moment we have to keep the heating off just to save enough for hot water. I cant believe we are in this position in 2011.

Anyone else got problems with this or sensible solutions?

 

[skyblue78]

i have pre pay meter for electric, which is still the most expensive way, but I like knowing how much Im using. £4 a day for gas is ridiculous, Id recommend changing to monthly direct debit for gas (I pay £47) and looking for best supplier, im with Southern Electric who are pretty good.

 

[wayne71]

Sounds like your paying more than me. I pay scottish power £113 a month for gas and electric. That's for a family of 4 living in a 3 bed semi and other than switching off lights in rooms we're not in there is no restrictions on anyone using anything they want. The one thing I wont allow is TV's in the kids bedrooms but that's because I like to see them. Go on one of them price compare websites (uswitch) and get the cheapest deal.

 

[jonmcfc]

£39 gas £63 electric a month i`m with swalec family of four

 

[jay_mcfc]

Here in Spain I pay about €25 each for gas and electric which includes air con being on a lot for 7 months a year and heating for 3 months. No council tax either.

 

[metalblue]

Cost of fuel is dreadful mate, heat or eat used to be for the old now it's really impacting a lot of people and the elecy and gas companies aren't giving anyone any grace in paying their bills. Mrs MB accidentally cancelled my gas direct debit, I called them up within 2-3 days, hadn't missed a single payment and they refused to put it back on DD as there was a balance on the account, I had a demand for immediate payment and within 3 weeks court summons - phoned them up and told them they were bang out of order and I would see them in court at which point they relented about court action.

My bills are eye watering this time of year mostly because of the layout/age of my house, my only tips would be to check all radiators are efficient (bled), turn off radiators in rooms not used and/or keep doors shut, curtains over doors help, look for drafts etc.

Have you got little ones mate?

 

[marco]

see the woodstove v gas thread, i was in the same situation as you putting in over £4 a day on my pre payment meter,i put the wood stove in during the summer and now i'm only spending £5 a fortnight on gas, its getting colder and the central heating still remains in the off position but i'm here sat in my shorts with a t-shirt on 'bloody great'