Energy Clinic
Meters
There are a wide variety of ways you can
pay your energy bills it is important that
you try to understand what methods will be
the most appropriate for you. Below we
have outlined some of the key information
you will need know.
Economy 7 meters
This meter gives you two rates for your
electricity. A cheap night rate and a more
expensive day rate. This kind of meter will only
benefit you if most of your electricity usage is
at night, for example if you have storage
heaters or an immersion heater to heat your
water up at night. You can tell if you have
economy 7 because there will be two readings
on your meter and bill, normally called low or
night for your cheaper electricity and day for
your more expensive rate. Remember
Economy 7 meters may not be right for you, for
example, if you use lots of electricity during the
day.
Heatwise meters (Also called Economy 10)
This meter uses day and night economy 7
rates but also has 2 further cheaper rate times
during the afternoon and evening. There is
also a boost setting, but this can be expensive.
This meter can benefit you if you have storage
heaters as it can give you extra heat during the
evening and afternoon on a cheaper rate.
However, these meters are not very common
and can be complicated to compare, as such
few suppliers support them and you may
struggle to switch.
Smart meters
Smart meters are starting to be installed across
the country, with the majority of people set to
get them before 2020. Smart meters are able
to communicate directly with your supplier so
you will rarely need to read your meter and
helps eliminate estimated bills. They can
communicate directly with your energy supplier
meaning that no one will need to come and
read your meter in future. Smart meters have a
display function which can tell households how
much energy they are using at a particular
time, helping people to understand where they
could save money on their energy bills.
Prepayment Meters
Prepayment meters are an attractive option for
many people as you pay for your energy
before you use it, and can also manage debts
These meters are run on prepaid for credit.
Once this has run out the meter needs to be
topped up with its key or card via a PayPoint or
Payzone. Your meter will most likely have
some emergency credit in case you run out
when you are unable to top up, however
emergency credit is limited and will have to be
paid back when you next top up.
Be aware that Prepayment meters can be one
of the most expensive ways to pay for your
energy as there are fewer tariffs and discounts
available. Below are several things to think
about if you are considering a prepayment
meter.
Advantages
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Helps customers to repay and not get
into further debt
No big bills, pay for your energy before
you use it.
Disadvantages
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Fewer discounts and tariff choices
available
Impractical to top up if you struggle to
reach a top up point or don’t have the
internet
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Payments vary a lot between winter and
summer
Still pay for standing charge and debt
repayments even if not using any
energy e.g. if you go on holiday or are in
hospital, so can still accrue debts
Energy could run out at impractical
times if not monitored e.g. at night.
If you already have a prepayment meter...
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Check with your supplier that you’re
tariff is the most appropriate for your
needs and heating system
Check if you are eligible to pay by credit
meter, some companies will fit these for
free if you pass their credit checks and
will allow you a wider choice of tariffs
and discounts that would not be
available with prepayment meters
If you are out of your property for a
number of days, ensure you top up your
meter before you go. This will avoid
building up a debt for when you return
as your meter continues to take a
standing charge from your credit even if
you have no appliances turned on
Try not to rely on emergency credit. If
you do use your emergency credit, you
will still be charged your usual standing
charge. Normally this is not taken off
when you are using your emergency
credit but will be taken off when you top
up resulting in you needing to pay more
to get back into credit. This is often why
people believe emergency credit costs
more
Keep your meter in credit this minimises
the likelihood of running out of credit in
the middle of the night or during public
holidays when it maybe difficult to top
up your credit, particularly if you live in
more rural areas.
Moving to a home with a prepayment meter
Call the energy supplier of your new home to
advise them you have moved in, to get the
meter read/reset and for them to send you a
new key if needed. This should help avoid you
having to pay off the previous tenant’s debt.
Also check with your supplier that you are on
the most appropriate tariff for your needs and
heating system in addition to checking that a
prepayment meter would be most suitable for
you.
Switching with a prepayment meter
You are still able to switch to another supplier
with a prepayment meter, providing you are
responsible for paying the bill. If you wish to
switch from a prepayment meter to a credit
meter some companies will do this free of
charge , however, you may need to pass a
credit check in order to do this. Also under
certain circumstances your supplier may not be
able to change your meter, for example, if you
have an outstanding debt.
Universal Credit
Universal credit is being introduced across the
country. Monthly universal credit payments
may make it easier to budget and also pay
monthly for your energy, helping you to take
advantage of cheaper tariffs and payment
methods. This provides an opportunity to think
about switching away from a prepayment
meter.
Struggling to pay for your energy?
If you are struggling to top up your meter call
your supplier as soon as you are able. They
may be able to reduce your debt repayments
on your meter if you have any (however this
will mean it will take longer to pay them back)
or they maybe able to advise you of cheaper
tariffs or grants to put towards your energy
bills. Also visit http://www.charisgrants.com/ to
see if you are able to access a grant yourself.
To contact the Advice Services Team you can
complete and send the self-referral form,
http://www.orbit.org.uk/advice/adviceservices/advice-services-self-referral-form/