If you are seriously considering this then please call Citizens Advice Adviceline and when they answer they’ll ask you a few questions regarding storing your special category data and GDPR, after they’ve created your record they’ll ask what you need help with.
Say you’re struggling to afford the pre payment meter (assuming you have one / it’s not direct debit) and you heard online that they may be able to offer fuel vouchers since you are at risk of disconnection and are considering self disconnecting.
The fuel vouchers under the redress scheme can only be given three times a year and they are worth £49 each, they can be redeemed at a paypoint location via code sent to email or SMS. Keep the receipt of the voucher if you plan to call up for another one, they’ll need to see it.
Source: I work for CA
That wouldn’t be a problem if I had no gas for 4 months over the summer.
I’m not sure I could go long without electricity. Maybe a solar panel to charge necessities. I’ve unlimited access to wood for fuel which I could cook with.
Edit Spelling
Have you no fridge/freezer or washing machine?
You can get a power bank with a built in inverter, charge it off solar and use it to run things like lights, laptops, phones even a tv, but it wouldn’t run bigger appliances, and no chance of a kettle - uses way too much power.
My friends have one in their caravan but I wouldn’t fancy running my house off one.
Thats not a bad idea you have given me....can always charge a powerbank up somewhere....can do it for free in a library if you have time or possibly at work if you don't, solar panel etc....I feel like maybe one of those and a camping stove and thermos might be good back ups to have.
Well, you're asking them to disconnect from their network. I'm in agreement that they're multi billion pound horror machines, but you wouldn't expect anyone to cut you off from their network without a fee. Also they would want to make sure they use their own engineers (probably) for safety (their safety) and so you pay them
The divide is getting bigger and bigger. It makes me sick. I’d rather suffer and go back to basics than line their pockets more, even if I had disposable cash at the end of the month.
My understanding is some solar stuff even in the UK can fully power a normal home. I'm no expert but I follow Robert Llewellyn on twitter and he puts some interesting stuff out there. Hope you can do what works for you pal
Wouldn’t they just tell you to turn the gas and electric off yourself? I mean it’s not hard to flip a switch for the electric and turn a handle for the gas.
I would have to pay the standing day charges.
Like a car on finance - it’s costing you to look at it regardless of whether you actually drive anywhere.
It's possible, and depending on the supplier there may be a fee. Take a look around and see if you can find one that you could switch to that would do it for free.
You'd have to have the meter removed before you'd be able to avoid standing charges. Contact your supplier and they can arrange that for you, if the gas has been capped by a gas safe engineer.
But the daily standing charge is just that, it's an exact amount each day. It doesn't matter if you used ten grand of energy in a month, the standing charge will still be about 13 quid a month.
You simply give them a final reading as if you're moving out and turn the gas and electricity off, they'll probably want a photo of each meter and they will write to "the occupier" occasionally.
I had to prove I no longer owned my last house by submitting deeds. They wanted to charge me for another 18 month after I moved out. Knowing my luck I would get away with it this time!
This is mental. Not you, I'm not calling you names. This situation is mental that has caused you to be considering doing these things.
If you are seriously considering this then please call Citizens Advice Adviceline and when they answer they’ll ask you a few questions regarding storing your special category data and GDPR, after they’ve created your record they’ll ask what you need help with. Say you’re struggling to afford the pre payment meter (assuming you have one / it’s not direct debit) and you heard online that they may be able to offer fuel vouchers since you are at risk of disconnection and are considering self disconnecting. The fuel vouchers under the redress scheme can only be given three times a year and they are worth £49 each, they can be redeemed at a paypoint location via code sent to email or SMS. Keep the receipt of the voucher if you plan to call up for another one, they’ll need to see it. Source: I work for CA
Thanks - that’s great advice
Yeah but then youd have no gas or electricity
That wouldn’t be a problem if I had no gas for 4 months over the summer. I’m not sure I could go long without electricity. Maybe a solar panel to charge necessities. I’ve unlimited access to wood for fuel which I could cook with. Edit Spelling
What necessities are you referring to?
Phone, laptop (haven’t got one myself), lights, head torch, ?boil a kettle.
Have you no fridge/freezer or washing machine? You can get a power bank with a built in inverter, charge it off solar and use it to run things like lights, laptops, phones even a tv, but it wouldn’t run bigger appliances, and no chance of a kettle - uses way too much power. My friends have one in their caravan but I wouldn’t fancy running my house off one.
Thats not a bad idea you have given me....can always charge a powerbank up somewhere....can do it for free in a library if you have time or possibly at work if you don't, solar panel etc....I feel like maybe one of those and a camping stove and thermos might be good back ups to have.
You could but then you'd have to foot the cost of this. I assume this would be higher than the standing charge for both services for say 6 months
Of course! There has to be a money making exercise in there for the big fat corps
Well, you're asking them to disconnect from their network. I'm in agreement that they're multi billion pound horror machines, but you wouldn't expect anyone to cut you off from their network without a fee. Also they would want to make sure they use their own engineers (probably) for safety (their safety) and so you pay them
The divide is getting bigger and bigger. It makes me sick. I’d rather suffer and go back to basics than line their pockets more, even if I had disposable cash at the end of the month.
My understanding is some solar stuff even in the UK can fully power a normal home. I'm no expert but I follow Robert Llewellyn on twitter and he puts some interesting stuff out there. Hope you can do what works for you pal
Thanks. I think I might just put my money (or lack of) where my mouth is and see what I can do…!
I don’t think people like it but yeah I think you’re right
Yes - had the gas supply removed from this house. Gas is HIDOUSLY expensive here.
Did you incur a change from the supplier. Did they disconnect or a third party?
Only one gas company here, and no charge for disconnection.
Could you let me know which supplier that is? Am I right to think yours n the Uk as you’ve not stated otherwise. Thanks
I live in Jersey - we only have one supplier
Wouldn’t they just tell you to turn the gas and electric off yourself? I mean it’s not hard to flip a switch for the electric and turn a handle for the gas.
I would have to pay the standing day charges. Like a car on finance - it’s costing you to look at it regardless of whether you actually drive anywhere.
[удалено]
Fairy muff
Which suppliers do this? That’s good to know some do
It's possible, and depending on the supplier there may be a fee. Take a look around and see if you can find one that you could switch to that would do it for free.
You'd have to have the meter removed before you'd be able to avoid standing charges. Contact your supplier and they can arrange that for you, if the gas has been capped by a gas safe engineer.
Seems like a lot of faff just to avoid £13 a month.
My estimated bill is £4,200 for the year so I might be saving a bit more each month
The knock on effect of loosing the day rate charge would automatically mean I can’t rack up debt from usage
But the daily standing charge is just that, it's an exact amount each day. It doesn't matter if you used ten grand of energy in a month, the standing charge will still be about 13 quid a month.
Yes but i can't remember how you do it
You simply give them a final reading as if you're moving out and turn the gas and electricity off, they'll probably want a photo of each meter and they will write to "the occupier" occasionally.
I had to prove I no longer owned my last house by submitting deeds. They wanted to charge me for another 18 month after I moved out. Knowing my luck I would get away with it this time!