Energy Prices on the up, again!

Ck · 19-06-2011, 09:40

It's been on the news that Scottish Power have hiked their prices. I had the email yesterday to say what my new price per kwh will be as from 1st August. For us the price per kwh means a raise of 22% for gas and 25% for electric.

Interestingly, I read a discussion forum where the prices were being discussed, it had about 400 comments and yet everyone seemed to be on a different rate. Some people were paying less than we do now but the hike will take them to more than what we will pay. Some peoples hike will take them to less what we pay now, i.e. before our increase.

It's a proper minefield. The energy companies have made their price schemes so confusing and there are so many of them that you can effectively have a row of houses in the same street using the same amount of energy yet all pay different prices.

I don't mind paying for what I use, I cannot stand to be cold and besides which having a home that isn't heated satisfactorily can lead to further problems such as damp, spoilt fabric and illness. The energy companies have us over a barrel and they are all as greedy as each other.

A friend and I have been thinking of ways to save energy that won't impact on our comfort. So far we have come up with:

Use rugs and heavy curtains to help insulate and add to cosy factor.
Use the washing machine at 30 degrees for clothes that have only been worn once.
Use the dryer whilst we're at home to benefit from the warmth it creates.
Use candles to create atmosphere and give out heat.
Don't use rads for drying clothes/don't block rads.
Eat home made soups and drink whiskey or brandy to warm our inners.

Add your ideas here or just slag off the greedy effers.

**timey** · 19-06-2011, 11:40

Yeah, the pricing schemes are confusing and a minefield, but energy costs are rising and will keep rising I'm afraid. North Sea gas is running out fast and we have to buy it from abroad, and we have no control over their pricing. Also, more other countries are now competing for the same gas, which puts the prices up even more. The rises you are seeing will be the first of a round of increases, so moving elsewhere might work for a few months, but you could end up paying more in the long run. One way is to go onto a fixed tariff, which will protect you against rises for a while. However, you will pay a premium for this and your hike could be even greater at the end of it.

Haven't thought of energy saving ideas yet as our costs are manageable (about £90 a month) so far.

**Earl** · 19-06-2011, 11:56

Yeah, but they were only saying five minutes ago that this fracking they're about to start in Lancashire should get us billions of pounds worth of gas.