British Gas increase Gas 35% and electric 9%

[Duncan G]

Just announced.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7533389.stm

I've just tied in to a fixed rate with EON untill Oct 2009. Bear in mind there will be another rise this winter.

[Decadence]

Not much we can do about it except freeze...I'm putting fireplaces and chimneys back onto my house so I can chop down all the trees in my garden and burn them...free heat!

[Duncan G]

Originally Posted by Decadence

Not much we can do about it except freeze...I'm putting fireplaces and chimneys back onto my house so I can chop down all the trees in my garden and burn them...free heat!

Not very carbon friendly though

[Decadence]

Like I give a toss! Gas prices are extortionate...human beings have been burning wood to keep warm for centuries.

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by Duncan G

Not very carbon friendly though

What do you think happens to the natural gas you use?

[danmc_82]

Originally Posted by Duncan G

Not very carbon friendly though

Actually burning wood is more environmentally friendly than smokeless coal as wood is replaceable. Coal, Gas and oil are not.

[DJT75]

Average of 25% increase for dual fuel. - Is it significant enough to waste my time shopping around? Arguments over metering readings, direct debit cock ups & yet another company with my personal banking details? No, I really can't be arsed.

[Kieron]

Just cap asap..

[Mr Incredible]

When EDF announced big increases after my fixed period ended in February, they wanted to up my direct debit on gas from £85 pm to £150 pm, and electric from £80 to £110 pm. Blow that I thought, and got a great deal with....... British Gas.

Based on my consumption the direct debit has been sat at £110 pm gas and £95 pm. electric.

It's going to be a long hard, lonely and cold winter of discontent.

[Fatti]

Typical, we've just transfered to British Gas from Npower. Just had the letter to provide them with an opening meter reading for electric. Might end up trying to change even before it starts

[Raoul_Duke]

Originally Posted by DJT75

Average of 25% increase for dual fuel. - Is it significant enough to waste my time shopping around? Arguments over metering readings, direct debit cock ups & yet another company with my personal banking details? No, I really can't be arsed.

I switched to Npower, the guy appeared at my door claiming they had no intention of raising their prices, I didnt believe him but as Scottish Gas had just lumped me with a £530 bill because "they hadn't been charging me enough on my DD for the past 2 years" I decided to leave them anyway. Then when they found out I was leaving they called up to talk me out of it.

The girl on the phone told me that the reading may also be wrong cos' they're just using estimates. I asked why they didn't bother sending anyone out to do a reading and she said that they do this 4 times a year. I advised her I had never seen anyone come to my door, I asked if it was likely they were sending someone out between the hours of 9:00 and 17:00 on weekdays, she said "probably, yes" Well that might be why then!

[Kwman]

Originally Posted by Raoul_Duke

I switched to Npower, the guy appeared at my door claiming they had no intention of raising their prices, I didnt believe him but as Scottish Gas had just lumped me with a £530 bill because "they hadn't been charging me enough on my DD for the past 2 years" I decided to leave them anyway. Then when they found out I was leaving they called up to talk me out of it.

The girl on the phone told me that the reading may also be wrong cos' they're just using estimates. I asked why they didn't bother sending anyone out to do a reading and she said that they do this 4 times a year. I advised her I had never seen anyone come to my door, I asked if it was likely they were sending someone out between the hours of 9:00 and 17:00 on weekdays, she said "probably, yes" Well that might be why then!

Hehe I always get a card saying I've missed the meter guy and they will call back on x day from 9-5. Obviously they must think everyone is jobless and spends all day indoors...

[chrism_scotland]

I work in the Energy Industry and we get so annoyed with meter readers going out between 9 and 5, evenings would be far better for people.

[mjn]

Originally Posted by Kwman

Hehe I always get a card saying I've missed the meter guy and they will call back on x day from 9-5. Obviously they must think everyone is jobless and spends all day indoors...

Or you could just take your own meter reading, and pass it to the energy company.......

[johntheexpat]

Originally Posted by Decadence

Not much we can do about it except freeze...I'm putting fireplaces and chimneys back onto my house so I can chop down all the trees in my garden and burn them...free heat!

Don't forget, you have to season your wood for two, or preferably three years, before burning it, otherwise the resins and creosotes in the wood will basically be driven off, lining your chimney with a highly flammable deposit at best and rapidly blocking it at worst.
(Seasoning is a different process to drying, it involves the chemical change of the oils and resins into a less volatile form, which means lower deposits and more heat as you are burning them rather than driving them off.)