Energy Bills...that time again

I have remote security cameras which can be controlled and viewed using the internet. The biggest problem I have had with them is internet reliability. If my link to the service provider is interupted for whatever reason the house modem needs manually re-setting before you can gain access again. That is impossible when away from home. I assume this would render any devices useless if control relied on connections to the internet. I do have other wireless, locally controlled only devices. They are a excellent devices for a disabled person who cannot reach their controls and certainly cheaper than those controlled via the internet.

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I was listening to the 'smart home' being discussed on the radio. Installation costs of around five figures were being bandied about to 'do it all' with your smartphone etc. At ten grand or so, I'm quite prepared to get of my arse and draw the curtains and turn the light on myself.

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Your unenthustiac to switch lights on and off for security reasons when you are away in your caravan then? Cost under £100, not £10,000.

Switched supplier tonight to a 12mth fixed tariff with Sainsbury's using MoneySaving Expert, with a £30 cash back, and a projected saving of £70 per year.

Switched supplier tonight to a 12mth fixed tariff with Sainsbury's using MoneySaving Expert, with a £30 cash back, and a projected saving of £70 per year.

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Had a reply from my supplier Sainsburys seems best they can offer me is a 12 mth deal. This deal increases my present monthly DD from £63 to £77 .....

We found taking a good look at our property and making it as energy efficient as possible gave us the best savings. We still check on offers each renewal period though. Luckily, we have an endless supply of almost free wood for the stove, that helps as well. Good glazing, insulate everything, heavy lined curtains, switch off what you don't need, put on a long sleeve t shirt ond long trousers and turn boiler heating down on tick over. It all helps. Not advocating huddling around a candle, wrapped in blankets, but just saving a bit on heating costs that makes sense. Going away in MH every fortnight helps as well! 

Prompted by this discussion I put in our latest meter readings on the EDF site and immediately got a reduction in monthly payments (it's been milder til now and I know the heating hasn't been on as much.) Although we're on a fixed deal til next year we can reduce payments when needed. A smart meter would automatically adjust payments too.

My next move will be to Ovo.  

I have been with OVO since January. The customer service is excellent and I'm happy with the tariff.

Switched supplier tonight to a 12mth fixed tariff with Sainsbury's using MoneySaving Expert, with a £30 cash back, and a projected saving of £70 per year.

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Had a reply from my supplier Sainsburys seems best they can offer me is a 12 mth deal. This deal increases my present monthly DD from £63 to £77 .....

Have you had a look at any of the comparison sites to see if there are better deals. If there are you can then get back to your present supplier with the figures and see if they can match or beat them. Your supplier won't want to loose a customer.

The thing I don't get is.......so many people don't know what their annual usage is (in kWh) or what they pay per kWh for each of gas and electricity.

Many 'comparison sites' base their figures on 'typical' usage and not your own usage (which could be significantly different).

To carry out a true comparison, you have to use your own usage figures (readily available by reading your meter). I find using a simple spreadsheet to be the best way and get the unit costs (a rate per kWh and a standing charge, usually) from the suppliers' web sites.

Some people think they have a 'good deal' with their supplier, simply because their monthly payments are less than they were previously paying......when it might just mean that they aren't covering the true bill and will have it to pay later.

You wouldn't decide which bread, beans or petrol to buy based on a 'forecast annual spend' so why do so many people just accept these forecast figures from energy suppliers?

The thing I don't get is.......so many people don't know what their annual usage is (in kWh) or what they pay per kWh for each of gas and electricity.

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I don't but I'm not faffing with spread sheets .... I just pay the bill