Energy Suppliers, Suppliers of Energy. Gas / Electric

Missus said "Elec bill going up from £95 to £142 a month"

I'm like "my bar tabs are going up about the same each day so no biggie"

This was my understanding, a chunk of it goes to refilling the coffers.

Fixed on E.On's V18 for two years now. Double the price but no more than Capped rate.

Possible Boast Post.

Fixed with Ovo in June last year for two years.

Definite boast post.

Feeling like a right mug for not fixing in October. The rates they offered then look very attractive now. Last time I listen to any self proclaimed 'money saving expert'.

To be fair, not many people would have bet on Russia invading Ukraine last week let alone six months ago - considering world energy costs. There we go but for the grace of god etc etc.

I should be on a fixed rate but I’ve had 3-4 suppliers go bust in a row… Current estimate for this year is £4.2k, up from £1.7k in 2019. Not really sure what to do about it, other than take up some kind of illegal side hustle!

Christ. How big / inefficient is your gaff?!

200m2, detached, late Victorian. Not giant but typical period features (ie problems). I think there’s an element of over-estimation because it’s winter but probably not enough to matter.
We’ve just had smart meters installed but they couldn’t connect so still waiting to see where the electricity goes… the gas is pretty obvious!

My winter plan involves liberal use of the wood burning stove and lots of layers.

Can’t believe a burner is cheaper than gas tbh

Unless you are collecting and seasoning your own wood?

Either way it’s not great from an air quality perspective.

Unless you are collecting and seasoning your own wood?

Yep, I collect and season it.

Either way it’s not great from an air quality perspective

I get this, but I don’t live in a big city - I probably wouldn’t use one if I did. I generally use it <10 times a year at the moment.

Internal air quality... not external pollution (well, that too... but it's literally poisoning you within the house).

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/wood-burners-triple-harmful-indoor-air-pollution-study-finds

Interesting to know. Cheers.

Explainer on why the Standing Charges are going up
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/mar/06/why-is-my-standing-charge-up-by-80-energy-firms-pile-on-the-agony

So anyone gone for a fix - or sticking with the cap gamble? Can anyone show any workings for why one may be better than another.

On a different note - has anyone managed to insulate their wife? Mine seems to be a lizard and nothing I suggest seems to see the thermostat set below 22 C.

man I'd love 22C - I'm forbid nudging it above 18C and it's only on 2x per day. liberal use of hat, scarf, and blanket ongoing

Has anyone gone through the process of getting Solar and batteries installed on the back of price rises? I'm looking into it now, did look before but the maths didn't work, its looking much more favourable now.

An interesting read for anyone with a condensing combi boiler. I turned both my hot water and central heating controls from 5 to 3 with no discernible difference and according to the link (plus Worcester Bosch info) it should be running more efficiently.

https://www.theheatinghub.co.uk/articles/turn-down-the-boiler-flow-temperature

I live for 18. 19 is a treat.

Thanks for this. Going to have a fiddle in the morning.

Octopus are only offering a 10m fixed at the moment for me - while I realised the effect of the woodburner - its been a lifesaver for last couple of months in a typical 1930s SD

Before that my options are Octopus 12M fixed at £345 p/m or "Loyal Octopus 12M Fixed" at £330 p/m.

Now the options are 10M fixed at £404.39 p/m or £390.30 p/m. Crazy. Still not committing.

Wholesale cost of a gas unit exceeded £8 briefly yesterday. It was at £2 in November. I think I read the 10 year average, before 2021, was 25p.

we're a relatively well off household (two incomes, no kids) and even we're having 'negotiations' about when, how high, and how long to put our heating on - erring on the side of not heating at all. don't want to think what position many others - including low income families and pensioners - are going to find themselves in