That's a really nice gesture stg and idve loved to have that log burner ....uch you meant the other winter
Seriously though I was reading that some folk with smart meters will be charged more or the rates go up faster for those who have them, or they wont benefit the same as those who dont have the SM.
I'd need to check exactly what I'm in about here bhuddy.
That Martin Lewis financial guru guy ( his brain must be bursting with numbers btw I wouldnt want his job though it's absolutely great what he does for others).
He was saying that some, not all leccy and gas companies would allow people to " top up as much as possible " before the start of this month and companies such as Bulb ( my provider), octopus and a couple of others wouldnt charge the new higher rate for anyone who is on a prepay meter ( like me) for money that was in the meter before the start of October.
So I went and put £50 in my gas and so far so good though he did say those companies reserve the right to change their mind on this but it was worth the gamble.
So far I've only been charged a few quid and I've had the heating on , baths run etc.
Why those who installed the smart meter dont get this benefit is disgraceful but he said that would be the case.
I chose to have a pay as you go meter for both leccy &gas as my sister did this first and said it worked out cheaper for her, so we all ( rest of family) followed suit and seems she was right about it ( usually is on these things).
I also chose not to get the smart meter installed because you have to plug the bloody thing in and use electric for it to work.
They say it doesn't use much but it still uses some electric that could be better used elsewhere, if only to put a reading lamp for a bit or charge your phone.
Another thing he said ( and hats off to the guy for doing all this research into the million and one different tariffs , variables, on/off peak times and companies etc).
He said that people sitting cold in the house and using blankets, hot water bottles, more layers etc.
They're correct in that....
But, dont sit cold if it means turning your heating on for just 10-15 minutes to take the chill out of the house then do it because the standing charge as of start of October is going to be between 40p-50p per day anyway for both gas and electric.
That's £3.50 gas £3.50 electric standing charge per week for just having the bloody option of using it , £9 a week is a lot £468 per year in standing charges for some and once the tariffs kick in properly then start looking around for better deals.
Tips he gave most of us know but no harm in reminding.
Using the oven?
Turn off the cooker/oven 5-10 minutes from designated time and let the retained heat do the rest and when you're finished open the oven door and use that heat to circulate warm air around the house.
Heart went out to some old guy who called into the Jeremy Vine show with a tremendous tip.
He realised that if he used 1 light bulb in his bathroom/some room he could position a mirror tha would send the light on to another mirror and then he realised he was 1 mirror short so he got another from a charity shop and now 1 light bulb lights his whole flat
Ingenious , but I hope it doesnt come to that for anyone.
Another is if you have a camping stove and left over gas , then use it for little things like soup or tea instead of burning your own supply.
