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Aaargh! Annual 'Energy Statement'


ouija ouija

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Yesterday I received an annual 'energy statement' from edf energy (electricity). This is for my pre-paid meter.

It told me that in the last twelve months I had used 200 LESS kWh than the previous twelve months BUT ....... I had paid £100 MORE!!!! God only knows what the bill would have been if we'd had a bad winter.

What adds insult to injury is that on the statement there is a block(?) graph with the heading 'How Much Energy Are You Using?' which gives the impression that in fact I have used MORE this year than last ....... it's only when you study it closely you realise the exact OPPOSITE is true!! It also appears to show that I will use even more electricity next winter, but on closer inspection it indicates that I will be paying £100 more over the next twelve months if I use the same amount as the last twelve!! I am spitting feathers here with impotent rage.

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This is what people don't seem to get. They continually boast about how we have "Freedom of choice" and all the rest of it, and how we're so lucky to live in a Free country because we can vote to get rid of various lots of politicians every few years, but that's all utterly meaningless when we are ruled, as we are, by gigantic multinational corporations that have an absolute stranglehold on their "customers", who really have no choice whatsoever, since they all, as we all know, conspire to collude to tie the market up between them. And the Politicians are either utterly powerless to do anything about it (because you cannot interfere in the workings of the "Free Market"), or they are in the pocket of these mega-corporations.

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yup i think there was a 3% raise in electricity (2013), when i first moved in to my house back in 2008 my bills were about 40 quid for gas and electric per month in 2013 it was 90 quid gas/elec a month and it will raise and raise and ...........................

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Do you know what the stated rationale for the last rise in our electricity was?

Too many people were getting solar panels and it was cutting into profits too much!

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I've been notified by Scottish Power that my bill is going up £36.00 per month from April (and they had the nerve to apologise),due to rising Gas prices, My home has no Gas its totally Electric.

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Yesterday I received an annual 'energy statement' from edf energy (electricity). This is for my pre-paid meter.

It told me that in the last twelve months I had used 200 LESS kWh than the previous twelve months BUT ....... I had paid £100 MORE!!!! God only knows what the bill would have been if we'd had a bad winter.

What adds insult to injury is that on the statement there is a block(?) graph with the heading 'How Much Energy Are You Using?' which gives the impression that in fact I have used MORE this year than last ....... it's only when you study it closely you realise the exact OPPOSITE is true!! It also appears to show that I will use even more electricity next winter, but on closer inspection it indicates that I will be paying £100 more over the next twelve months if I use the same amount as the last twelve!! I am spitting feathers here with impotent rage.

Hiya,E.D.F. is a Frog owned outfit, and I wouldn't pay a penny towards anything Frog,but the big 6 are all tarred with the same brush,and just rip off people.
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Do you know what the stated rationale for the last rise in our electricity was?

Too many people were getting solar panels and it was cutting into profits too much!

Amazing. In a normal universe isn't competition supposed to lead to lower prices ? If "Blanky Beer" came up with a better beer and it cut into the profits of "Blinky Beer" would Blinky Beer raise it's prices? No.

You can't Switch Electric Companies , like you can beers , so , you pay or .. lights out.

* i feel your frustration though ouija , does NOTHING make sense anymore!?

Edited by lightly
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Solar panels is definitely one way of cutting the energy bills.

Yes, the costs are high, but people are using a lot more electricity today. T.v`s, fridges, freezers, computers and the heating costs, all add up.

There are many ways to save on energy bills, but i feel that the convenience of flicking switches on has taken the place of being aware of what you actually use and it all comes at a cost, and boy, the energy companies love it.

If you live in a house with a family and have all the appliances in every room, its going to cost you and as pointed out by CR, for those who are reliant on others.....this is not a free country.

I have been round to friends houses and they have some form of electricity on in every room, and then complain about their bills being to high....???

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I remember once upon a time, the role of government was to provide services that were deemed too vital to be allowed into private hands. Things like law enforcement, basic medical care, essential services like water and electrictiy, the primary communication infrastructure (eg telephone and postal service).

There is a myth LIE out there that privatisation means more efficiency, better service and lower prices. What utter garbage! Private companies need to make money, not only for themselves but for their shareholders. Sadly that is their main priority.. Apart from that, these companies can then take advantage of offshore outsourcing (just shift your industry or support services to countries that have low costs and take advantage of them), and who benefits?

- the users of their services? No, prices invariably go up by far more than inflation, and service quality often goes down.

- the people in other countries who provide cheap labour? Yes, somewhat, but they are being exploited.

- the populace of the country of origin? No, as apart from the higher prices, they suffer unemployment.

- the company directors? Yes.

- the company shareholders? Yes. (Although maybe they should think about the points above...)

I find it damning that our society doesn't discuss this and think about it - surely there needs to be some scrutiny of the lies about privatisation and the myth of the 'benefits' of globalisation and the supposed 'level playing field'.

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I remember once upon a time, the role of government was to provide services that were deemed too vital to be allowed into private hands. Things like law enforcement, basic medical care, essential services like water and electrictiy, the primary communication infrastructure (eg telephone and postal service).

There is a myth LIE out there that privatisation means more efficiency, better service and lower prices. What utter garbage! Private companies need to make money, not only for themselves but for their shareholders. Sadly that is their main priority.. Apart from that, these companies can then take advantage of offshore outsourcing (just shift your industry or support services to countries that have low costs and take advantage of them), and who benefits?

- the users of their services? No, prices invariably go up by far more than inflation, and service quality often goes down.

- the people in other countries who provide cheap labour? Yes, somewhat, but they are being exploited.

- the populace of the country of origin? No, as apart from the higher prices, they suffer unemployment.

- the company directors? Yes.

- the company shareholders? Yes. (Although maybe they should think about the points above...)

I find it damning that our society doesn't discuss this and think about it - surely there needs to be some scrutiny of the lies about privatisation and the myth of the 'benefits' of globalisation and the supposed 'level playing field'.

Ah, well, if you do stand up to question it, because capitalism and Globalisation is synonymous with Democracy and freedom in the minds of the West, they can dismiss you as either a Anti Capitalist Demonstrator, and so dismiss you as one of those "Occupy the Streets" troublemakers, or, even worse, as some sort of Socialist or Commie. The latter, of course, being particularly effective in the US of A. Which means that you';d probably be tagged by the Security Services as a troublemaker.

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Yesterday I received an annual 'energy statement' from edf energy (electricity). This is for my pre-paid meter.

It told me that in the last twelve months I had used 200 LESS kWh than the previous twelve months BUT ....... I had paid £100 MORE!!!! God only knows what the bill would have been if we'd had a bad winter.

What adds insult to injury is that on the statement there is a block(?) graph with the heading 'How Much Energy Are You Using?' which gives the impression that in fact I have used MORE this year than last ....... it's only when you study it closely you realise the exact OPPOSITE is true!! It also appears to show that I will use even more electricity next winter, but on closer inspection it indicates that I will be paying £100 more over the next twelve months if I use the same amount as the last twelve!! I am spitting feathers here with impotent rage.

Can you post scan of that graph? And you can talk to neighbors, compare data if there are similarities.

BTW, maybe it has something to do with rising penetration of green energy...

PS Once I've got a bill indicating I'm in debt, i.e. hadn't paid previous bill - one call to office, and it appeared to be a glitch in their system.

Edited by bmk1245
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Scottish Power estimated my flat was using £120 of electricity a month after they put a new meter in. The flat was vacant with the power turned of because of flooding.

They sent me a letter the other day telling me they intend to change the gas meter next Wednesday. Not only is it all electric but there is no gas available in the village I live in.

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I think they work on the same basis as the Beeb does about the TV Licence; they assume that everyone would have it, and just pick a random figure out of the air for how much they assume you'd use.

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I rent so I don't see the bills.

But I have a tale to tell as well.

I remember a couple years ago reading in the local paper that the city was raising water rates. During the summer months there are strict watering restrictions and new computer meters were installed to monitor each property. Every second day residents could use sprinkler systems. What happened was the residents abided by the rules and there were no shortage of water. The city anticipated fines to fulfill the expected budget projections. The number fell short. By a lot.... it was announced after summer ended that water rates would raise almost 50%.

You're damned when you do and damned when you don't.

Edited by acidhead
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im not going to be popular here but im afraid rising Gas prices will continue. the costs are controlled by the markets. the more we (UK) import the more cost involved. in the UK we only have 2 weeks storage capacity for Gas. if we had more storage capacity we could store the 'cheap' summer gas for use later in the winter to help keep gas costs down.

i wonder if ouija ouija's bill still has the 10% green Tax included. Also you have to move away if possible from the big six. ExtraEnergy is probably the best, save £350 compared to British Gas.

Its a good job we invaded Iraq to secure energy supplies, imagine the cost if we hadn't. the entire population would be up in arms.

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There is something to be said for heating with wood :)

The prices are just as bad here in Canada too :/

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im not going to be popular here but im afraid rising Gas prices will continue. the costs are controlled by the markets. the more we (UK) import the more cost involved. in the UK we only have 2 weeks storage capacity for Gas. if we had more storage capacity we could store the 'cheap' summer gas for use later in the winter to help keep gas costs down.

i wonder if ouija ouija's bill still has the 10% green Tax included. Also you have to move away if possible from the big six. ExtraEnergy is probably the best, save £350 compared to British Gas.

Its a good job we invaded Iraq to secure energy supplies, imagine the cost if we hadn't. the entire population would be up in arms.

It's yet again the stupidity of the "Global Market", isn't it; 'we can buy everything from abroad so much cheaper and don't need to worry about old fashioned concepts like self-sufficiency'. Never mind if those suppliers can decide to make as much profit for themselves as they decide they want to by setting whatever prices they want to. ... And maybe that's why mr. cameron and his little friend Mr. Potato Head Hague are so anxious to keep up the pressure on the tyrant Putin! Maybe they hope to overthrow him and instal someone more amenable so they can get a favourable deal on Russian oil & gas! Hey, there's a new conspiracy theory there! :yes:

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Scottish Power estimated my flat was using £120 of electricity a month after they put a new meter in. The flat was vacant with the power turned of because of flooding.

They sent me a letter the other day telling me they intend to change the gas meter next Wednesday. Not only is it all electric but there is no gas available in the village I live in.

As per my post #5 above, Scottish Power are K-rap, but what we gonna do if they leave U.K, get a wind turbine in the back garden huh.I'm really thinking of looking for an alternative Company but they all look the same.
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As per my post #5 above, Scottish Power are K-rap, but what we gonna do if they leave U.K, get a wind turbine in the back garden huh.I'm really thinking of looking for an alternative Company but they all look the same.

They are all a mess. Spend an hour plus on the phone to talk a clueless moron who not only can you not understand, they cant understand you.

Scottish Power is the biggest cluster F word I have ever dealt with other than the RBS.

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They are all a mess. Spend an hour plus on the phone to talk a clueless moron who not only can you not understand, they cant understand you.

In India, of course.
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we can vote to get rid of various lots of politicians every few years,

I haven't voted for decades!

Hiya,E.D.F. is a Frog owned outfit, and I wouldn't pay a penny towards anything Frog,but the big 6 are all tarred with the same brush,and just rip off people.

Can't remember how I found out, but unsurprisingly, edf customers in France pay a fraction of what we do. I tried to change to a non-nuclear supplier but they wouldn't take me on because of my pre-paid meter.

* i feel your frustration though ouija , does NOTHING make sense anymore!?

The older I get the more I am convinced that the object of the exercise is to drive us all crazy!

Solar panels is definitely one way of cutting the energy bills.

Yes, the costs are high, but people are using a lot more electricity today. T.v`s, fridges, freezers, computers and the heating costs, all add up.

There are many ways to save on energy bills, but i feel that the convenience of flicking switches on has taken the place of being aware of what you actually use and it all comes at a cost, and boy, the energy companies love it.

If you live in a house with a family and have all the appliances in every room, its going to cost you and as pointed out by CR, for those who are reliant on others.....this is not a free country.

I have been round to friends houses and they have some form of electricity on in every room, and then complain about their bills being to high....???

My landlord won't pay for solar panels so that's a non-starter for me. I was born and brought up in Liverpool and experienced winters when there was ice on the inside of the windows because my parents didn't have money for much heating ..... one solid fuel fire in the living room in the evenings was it. We got yelled at if we left lights on when we left the room ...... trust me, there is nothing I don't know about being tight with electricity, it's the way I was raised! I don't have a TV, the freezer is on for about a week each year, the tumble dryer gets used twice a year max., I don't use a hairdryer, I use longlife bulbs and walk around in the dark as far as I can. My home is insulated and double glazed. The only heating I use is two night storage heaters for the minimum number of weeks I can tolerate. I have the water heater on just one night a week....... etc etc, I won't bore you further! But this is exactly what makes me so angry: I couldn't use less electricity if I tried!

Can you post scan of that graph? And you can talk to neighbors, compare data if there are similarities.

BTW, maybe it has something to do with rising penetration of green energy...

PS Once I've got a bill indicating I'm in debt, i.e. hadn't paid previous bill - one call to office, and it appeared to be a glitch in their system.

Yes, I will post the graph.

I remember a couple years ago reading in the local paper that the city was raising water rates. During the summer months there are strict watering restrictions and new computer meters were installed to monitor each property. Every second day residents could use sprinkler systems. What happened was the residents abided by the rules and there were no shortage of water. The city anticipated fines to fulfill the expected budget projections. The number fell short. By a lot.... it was announced after summer ended that water rates would raise almost 50%.

You're damned when you do and damned when you don't.

My father had a new water meter put in some years ago. He only found out when he got his first bill of thousands of pounds that they had set it incorrectly. Took them two more goes to set it correctly :hmm:

There's no mains gas on this entire peninsular but I still regularly get junk mail about it.

I also have an open solid fuel fire but have found that it doesn't work out any cheaper to combine that with electric heating. Plus I don't have the energy to clear it all out every few days and organise kindling, logs and coal.

This is not the first time I have had this problem. Some years ago we were warned that electricity prices would go up in the coming winter so I cut right back on my heating(to the level it is now), and managed to reduce the kWh by a lot. But my bill had still gone up by a huge amount that I couldn't pay(I wasn't on a pre-paid meter then). I phoned the company(not edf at that time), and told them I couldn't pay, told them I'd cut my usage back as far as I could(even the person I spoke to was shocked at how much I'd reduced my usage by and yet still ended up with a vastly increased bill). I got a long spiel about insulation and then finally the woman said, well, we do have a fund that helps out needy cases! They sent me a very long questionnaire to fill in, in which I had to beg at length for help. This then went to a panel(how much were they being paid?!), for them to choose which of us poor s*ds they would help.

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Hope this is clear enough.CCI30032014_00002_zpsa4be0018.png ........ edit: and obviously it isn't! I'll have another go.

Edited by ouija ouija
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Okay, for whatever reason I can't get an image to appear that is a reasonable size :hmm:.

Looking at the diagram in the previous post you would assume at first glance, that the amount of energy used by me is going UP year on year ...... the yellow blocks increase in height from left to right. However, the amounts represented by each block(left to right) are : 5,959 kWh, 5,730 kWh and 5,730 kWh.

Up the left hand side of the graph is the cost: 0 at the bottom increasing by £100 increments each line going up.

'How much energy are you using?', yellow block represents electricity, "Oh, I'm using more each year!"

Edited by ouija ouija
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I wish we could organise a nationwide Electricity strike, where everyone in the U.K switches off their electric for just 1 hour at 1200 noon on Monday, 1300 (1 pm) on Tuesday and so on,just to make these Electric Companies realise that people are getting sick of tariff hikes every year.I'll let you know which Jail I'm going to for starting a rebellion.heh.

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The image is ok, you just need to click on it and it is then legible (if only just)..

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