We have found ourselves in just over £2000 of debt to our energy supplier over a very costly winter

[Guest]

.. and am looking to crowd source advice.

Do we leave the debt over summer and review where we are in 3-6 months time after the lul of the summer or do we speak to the energy company, separate the debt. In this s

I'm thinking to have the debt in one pot we pay off at £100 a month (we did an income expenditure and at this time this is the "spare money" we have) and start a fresh with the gas and electric. Energy Company has estimated usage of £463 a month but we can can only budget £300 (this used to cover us fine till this winter) with the £100 going to the debt. We had some (for us) mental bills with over 114 units of gas being used at xmas time in one month which equated (with Elec) to £700 + due for one month.

We stay in an old high ceiling house. Our rent is very reasonable for a 3 bed house so we cannot justify the move. Landlord has denied us permission to carry out works to put in a gas smart meter as it requires drilling through an exterior wall. House is listed.

I hope this make sense, any feedback welcome.

[Claire]

Just pay as much as you can dd this will bring your balance down and over get in credit by winter unless supplier want you to pay quickly. Just keep dd amount same all year round to keep building credit for winter.

[Kathy]

I forgot to say, follow Martin Lewis advice about when suppliers begin fixing tariffs again. Sign up to his newsletters by e mail for other tips.

[Kathy]

1st, are you absolutely sure about the meter reading, (i.e. not estimated?) My supplier in early 2022, put my DD up twice, I was nervous opening online, in case I got locked out, but presumed they knew what they were doing. 6 - 7 mnths on I found I was £900 in credit, & they'd only return £500. Try to make the payments throughout the summer, it may break even by autumn.

Best wishes.

[Zoe]

Are you sure there needs to be a hole drilled to swap to smart meter? They just replace the meter that’s already there unless you want it moved I suppose?

[Rachel]

Sounds extremely high. We have high ceilings and use £220 ish a month smart meter doesn’t really help as such. Kettle, oven, shower, heating, tumble drier uses the most for us.

[Darren]

A smart meter won't reduce your cost it just provides readings, if you're capable of doing that yourself no Advantage. Only advise I can give is use less.

[Linda]

This happened to me years ago. I was paying dd asked for and was suddenly over 2k in debt. They said our usage was particularly high for our house.. Queried it and was offered a check meter which they messed up. In the end, we got a hardship grant to cover the debt and started afresh xx

[Angela]

I'm almost £1000 in debit with ours as original dd was covering the amount used over the winter months.. After several emails.. phone calls .. letter threatening court or bailiff iv managed to set dd up to £220 a month which will cover monthly usage and towards the debit jow its warmer I'm hardly using any gas so the usage should be lower and more will be paid off the debit.. they said by 5 months it will be paid off and then can lower dd amount ..