Electricity goes up tomorrow

poppy123456 · October 2023

Are your bills based on actual readings or estimates? Or do you have a smart meter? If you have a smart meter then the usage should be accurate because the readings will be taken directly from your meter. I have a smart meter and my bills are monthly.

You just need to keep and eye on the bills to make sure you're paying enough each month. Are you in credit or debt?

Bettahm · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

Are your bills based on actual readings or estimates? Or do you have a smart meter? If you have a smart meter then the usage should be accurate because the readings will be taken directly from your meter. I have a smart meter and my bills are monthly.

You just need to keep and eye on the bills to make sure you're paying enough each month. Are you in credit or debt?

I just read the meter every month and send it in. They always send an email for the reading around 24th of each month. Its 40 something in credit at the moment.

Bettahm · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

Bettahm said:

OverlyAnxious said:

I'm not with Octopus but have heard mostly good things about them so am a bit surprised to hear this.

My own electric rates have dropped slightly. I'm still sticking with the same DD though as it's a visually satisfying £100 a month currently. (All electric here, no gas or oil, small flat).

I'm surprised too as again hear mostly good things! But sent a few emails during September and they've not responded to one.
Trying as Poppy123456 said to change the dd amount in my account but cant access it currently so can only think website overloaded with people trying to get into their accounts!

I can access mine without any issues. Keep trying because it could just be a simple error.

Often a poor internet signal in this area but not that as I've accessed asda and Ebay this morning so will keep trying. A glitch I suppose.

Bettahm · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

Bettahm said:

OverlyAnxious said:

I'm not with Octopus but have heard mostly good things about them so am a bit surprised to hear this.

My own electric rates have dropped slightly. I'm still sticking with the same DD though as it's a visually satisfying £100 a month currently. (All electric here, no gas or oil, small flat).

I'm surprised too as again hear mostly good things! But sent a few emails during September and they've not responded to one.
Trying as Poppy123456 said to change the dd amount in my account but cant access it currently so can only think website overloaded with people trying to get into their accounts!

I can access mine without any issues. Keep trying because it could just be a simple error.

poppy123456 said:

Bettahm said:

OverlyAnxious said:

I'm not with Octopus but have heard mostly good things about them so am a bit surprised to hear this.

My own electric rates have dropped slightly. I'm still sticking with the same DD though as it's a visually satisfying £100 a month currently. (All electric here, no gas or oil, small flat).

I'm surprised too as again hear mostly good things! But sent a few emails during September and they've not responded to one.
Trying as Poppy123456 said to change the dd amount in my account but cant access it currently so can only think website overloaded with people trying to get into their accounts!

I can access mine without any issues. Keep trying because it could just be a simple error.

Often a poor internet signal in this area but not that as I've accessed asda and Ebay this morning so will keep trying. A glitch I suppose.

Hannah_Alumni · October 2023

Sorry @Bettahm your comments got stuck in the spam filter!

Bettahm · October 2023

I did not know with Octopus you could alter your dd amount so that is good long term.
I will watch my account over the next few months as winter will be more expensive anyway.
Kind of shocked to see they could have (and might?) almost doubled what I was paying.
So watching them. 75 pound exit fee to leave now though.
I put myself on their priority services register today, not sure if that helps.
Be good if they could help people who dont use much electricity especially as they are considered one of the best suppliers.

poppy123456 · October 2023

I'm on the priority services register but it doesn't mean a great deal to be honest. I can't imagine they would help people who don't use much electric. You only pay for what you use plus the standing charges of course.

The exit fees depend on which tariff you're on. All 24m and 36m fixed tariffs since August 2022 have a £75 exit fee. https://octopus.energy/help-and-faqs/articles/why-do-you-charge-an-exit-fee-on-some-tariffs/

If you're on the variable tariff there's no exit fee, this is the one i'm one. Not that i would leave them anytime soon.

One thing i always check every month is my energy account because i like to know what my bill is, how much energy i use and how much there is in my account. Thankfully, i'm in credit again this year by quite a few hundred pounds.

Bettahm · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

I'm on the priority services register but it doesn't mean a great deal to be honest. I can't imagine they would help people who don't use much electric. You only pay for what you use plus the standing charges of course.

The exit fees depend on which tariff you're on. All 24m and 36m fixed tariffs since August 2022 have a £75 exit fee. https://octopus.energy/help-and-faqs/articles/why-do-you-charge-an-exit-fee-on-some-tariffs/

If you're on the variable tariff there's no exit fee, this is the one i'm one. Not that i would leave them anytime soon.

One thing i always check every month is my energy account because i like to know what my bill is, how much energy i use and how much there is in my account. Thankfully, i'm in credit again this year by quite a few hundred pounds.

I put myself on Octopus psr yesterday but wont be on it for water and suspect it doesn't exist for oil.
Octopus put me on their Loyal Octopus 12m fixed.
I will have to check my account every month. Such a shock to see it could have gone from 50 to 96 a month!!
Hope they may scrap standing charges, think some have.
So stuck with them as not paying an exit fee.
I did read somewhere online that elec companies in general were going to hit hard people who use less than average electricity so this is it.
Octopus are being good to customers with solar panels, elec cars and those that live near wind farms, none of those apply here.

poppy123456 · October 2023

I've not heard of any energy suppliers scrapping standing charges. Martin Lewis and some MPs are calling for an overhaul. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/09/mps-back-martin-s-standing-charges-overhaul/

Bettahm · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

I've not heard of any energy suppliers scrapping standing charges. Martin Lewis and some MPs are calling for an overhaul. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/09/mps-back-martin-s-standing-charges-overhaul/

Interesting.
Maybe I misread it but hope that gets put through. Or pay standing charges according to usage.
I'm fairly sure I've been getting the warm home discount for a few years now so that should be automatic.
And hope they all introduce a social tarrif for elec.
I only found out about the broadband one a couple of weeks ago and didnt realise there was a water one too. But my water use is pretty low anyway.

Luchia · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

Bettahm said:

ClaraSais said:

My electric was £350 pm then it was £275 now it’s £295. Honestly I can’t keep up!

And still waiting on my supplier to reply to my emails.
Not good enough!
Shame on you, Octopus

I'm also with Octopus and have always found them to be nothing but very helpful. If you're unable to pay the extra increase for your DD then you can reduce it yourself because you're fully incharge of what you pay.

Last winter i was in credit by quite a few hundred pounds and they wanted to increase my DD. I dropped in back down to what i've always paid and it wasn't an issue. My DD is £123/month for gas and electric combined.

They also sent me an electric throw last year free of charge. I don't know if they will be doing the same this year but if they do you can apply for one of the those.

They sent me one of the heated throws too!

It’s fantastic to watch TV snuggled up, The one they sent me is a DreamLand Luxury Faux Fur Heated Throw with Intelligent Heat (Extra Large) and it’s so comfy!
Was quite surprised as the throws are £90+ and I’d only been with Octopus for a few months.

I’ve also never had an issue contacting them, longest I’ve ever waited on the phone was 6 minutes which is quite incredible

poppy123456 · October 2023

Luchia said:

poppy123456 said:

Bettahm said:

ClaraSais said:

My electric was £350 pm then it was £275 now it’s £295. Honestly I can’t keep up!

And still waiting on my supplier to reply to my emails.
Not good enough!
Shame on you, Octopus

I'm also with Octopus and have always found them to be nothing but very helpful. If you're unable to pay the extra increase for your DD then you can reduce it yourself because you're fully incharge of what you pay.

Last winter i was in credit by quite a few hundred pounds and they wanted to increase my DD. I dropped in back down to what i've always paid and it wasn't an issue. My DD is £123/month for gas and electric combined.

They also sent me an electric throw last year free of charge. I don't know if they will be doing the same this year but if they do you can apply for one of the those.

They sent me one of the heated throws too!

It’s fantastic to watch TV snuggled up, The one they sent me is a DreamLand Luxury Faux Fur Heated Throw with Intelligent Heat (Extra Large) and it’s so comfy!
Was quite surprised as the throws are £90+ and I’d only been with Octopus for a few months.

I’ve also never had an issue contacting them, longest I’ve ever waited on the phone was 6 minutes which is quite incredible

That's the exact same blanket i had from them. I was very shocked when it was delivered and looked online to see the price. Very cosy and warm!

I agree with you about no issues, i'm the same and been with them for more than 4 years now. Can't say i will ever change to another supplier.

Bettahm · October 2023

Octopus and me dont seem to understand each other. They've sent me two long emails now about debt and I'm not in debt , just asking why it's gone up so much and about tarrifs etc
Will go through the emails asap as have processing difficulties and too much information.
So unless the govt scraps or reduces standing charges looks like I'll have to watch my account and reduce thee dd maybe in the spring
I did read something online that people who use less elec would be hit with bigger bills

poppy123456 · October 2023

Bettahm said:

I did read something online that people who use less elec would be hit with bigger bills

Where did you read that? It doesn't make sense because outside of the standing charges, you only pay for what you use.

Bettahm · October 2023

poppy123456 said:

Bettahm said:

I did read something online that people who use less elec would be hit with bigger bills

Where did you read that? It doesn't make sense because outside of the standing charges, you only pay for what you use.

I dont remember but definitely saw that somewhere online.

Jimm_Alumni · October 2023

I'm hoping we can swap from our current provider, it's one of the big four and it just pains me to hand them money.

Whiskey26 · October 2023

I am with Octopus and as someone commented above, I have always found them extremely helpful and understanding, although if you email them, they aren't always that quick to reply. As people have said, you can change your DD amount yourself. If you go onto your dashboard and see they've put your payment up, put it back down yourself to what you can afford. I currently pay £80 for gas and electric and they wanted to put mine up to £128. I emailed them and explained my situation and they said their suggestions are only a guideline, you pay what you can afford. They also confirmed in the email my DD will remain at £80 a month. I have found once you get a reply from them, rather than send a new email each time, if you click the reply button at the bottom of the email, it will go back to the person who sent it. All emails then stay in a chain, so you can check back as to what has been said and it also means you don't have to keep repeating yourself to someone new each time!

Bettahm · October 2023

Whiskey26 said:

I am with Octopus and as someone commented above, I have always found them extremely helpful and understanding, although if you email them, they aren't always that quick to reply. As people have said, you can change your DD amount yourself. If you go onto your dashboard and see they've put your payment up, put it back down yourself to what you can afford. I currently pay £80 for gas and electric and they wanted to put mine up to £128. I emailed them and explained my situation and they said their suggestions are only a guideline, you pay what you can afford. They also confirmed in the email my DD will remain at £80 a month. I have found once you get a reply from them, rather than send a new email each time, if you click the reply button at the bottom of the email, it will go back to the person who sent it. All emails then stay in a chain, so you can check back as to what has been said and it also means you don't have to keep repeating yourself to someone new each time!

Ok I am going to try that. Because so far I have found them less than helpful. I'll email them that I am putting the dd down then do it. They have not been answering my emails all through September so unsure what has happened. They did send two yesterday but they were all about dealing with debt which I never asked them about.
I will try that clicking on reply at the bottom of the email too, didnt know that.

Hannah_Alumni · October 2023

Please keep us updated @Bettahm Hopefully they answer soon!

poppy123456 · October 2023

Bettahm said:

Whiskey26 said:

I am with Octopus and as someone commented above, I have always found them extremely helpful and understanding, although if you email them, they aren't always that quick to reply. As people have said, you can change your DD amount yourself. If you go onto your dashboard and see they've put your payment up, put it back down yourself to what you can afford. I currently pay £80 for gas and electric and they wanted to put mine up to £128. I emailed them and explained my situation and they said their suggestions are only a guideline, you pay what you can afford. They also confirmed in the email my DD will remain at £80 a month. I have found once you get a reply from them, rather than send a new email each time, if you click the reply button at the bottom of the email, it will go back to the person who sent it. All emails then stay in a chain, so you can check back as to what has been said and it also means you don't have to keep repeating yourself to someone new each time!

I'll email them that I am putting the dd down then do it.

You do not need to contact them to tell them that you're lowering the DD. As i advised earlier in the thread, you just change it to suit yourself. I though in a previous comment you said you were going to leave it as it is because you're only £40 in credit?

Electricity goes up tomorrow

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