Central Heating
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Re: Central Heating
No. Going to try a winter with no heating. Hope it’s a mild one!
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Re: Central Heating
Remember to turn yours on now so you can see if its broken or whatnot.
Better now than doing it when everyone else does and getting ****** over by a plumber/heating engineer
Better now than doing it when everyone else does and getting ****** over by a plumber/heating engineer
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Re: Central Heating
Within octopus' website there is a facility to ask for some of that credit back. It even suggests how much you can ask for.AGENT_CLARET wrote: ↑Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:28 pm£865.12 in credit how the hell do they keep taking the same amount off me each month knowing I'm in credit to the tune of almost a grand.
Screenshot_20220925-222143_Octopus.jpg
I was £600 in credit, I asked for and got £150 back. It's now in a savings account earning interest for me....if it's needed later, it's there. It's your money, ask for it back. Mine took 3 or 4 days to clear
Whoever it was who is pleased they are dropping their DD by £65, surely that the government rebate kicking in?
Re: Central Heating
2 Bee Holed wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:52 amWithin octopus' website there is a facility to ask for some of that credit back. It even suggests how much you can ask for.
I was £600 in credit, I asked for and got £150 back. It's now in a savings account earning interest for me....if it's needed later, it's there. It's your money, ask for it back. Mine took 3 or 4 days to clear
Whoever it was who is pleased they are dropping their DD by £65, surely that the government rebate kicking in?
Or you could just tell them to send you a proper bill & you'll pay it..............dunno how we've got into this habit of paying in advance for something we might not use for 6 months under the guise of 'spreading the cost'..........would you do it with your food bill?
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Re: Central Heating
16c in Bracknell dull but sunny later heating will go on 1st November .We have to remember to take the thermals for the next match
Re: Central Heating
That's what I do. Pay monthly 'as I go' - that is, whatever that month's usage is.rob63 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:35 amOr you could just tell them to send you a proper bill & you'll pay it..............dunno how we've got into this habit of paying in advance for something we might not use for 6 months under the guise of 'spreading the cost'..........would you do it with your food bill?
But then I'm good at managing money, and I have some!
In the old days, banks used to be able to set up an account for utility usage etc.. You estimated how much you used in a year, divided by twelve then paid that into the account every month. Utility bill direct debits/standing orders/cheques would be directed to that account. You could of course do this yourself with a savings account - interest rates are going up so it might be beneficial - and transfer the money when required.
No reason why utility companies should hold your money. Their over payments from customers must be enormous and they'll be saving lots on their debt interest.
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Re: Central Heating
I would be very wary about these sort of products. Looks like they are usually manufactured in China and are marketed under various brand names. The claims about their effectiveness seem to be very optimistic.
Ultimately you get what you pay for so if it’s cheap to buy it’s good to be sceptical.
Often the Amazon reviews are also fake.
All heaters are bound by the laws of physics- you won’t get out more energy than you put in. Here’s a different view of one of these products (under a different brand name):
https://youtu.be/jHcrch92GzA
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Re: Central Heating
Thanks for that I never knew you could do this, I've requested the maximum £500 back leaving the rest in to cover any future bill increases2 Bee Holed wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:52 amWithin octopus' website there is a facility to ask for some of that credit back. It even suggests how much you can ask for.
I was £600 in credit, I asked for and got £150 back. It's now in a savings account earning interest for me....if it's needed later, it's there. It's your money, ask for it back. Mine took 3 or 4 days to clear
Whoever it was who is pleased they are dropping their DD by £65, surely that the government rebate kicking in?
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Re: Central Heating
I’m £500 in credit and trying to monitor and adjust my direct debit depending upon our usage. They’ve just wrote telling me I should increase my direct debit. Cheeky sods (not my actual words).
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Re: Central Heating
We have bought onesie's, a massive flask,and a big **** off Tele,we have decided to spend winter in bed.
Heating hasn't been on yet.
Heating hasn't been on yet.
Re: Central Heating
Thanks 2 Bee Holed. It was me that mentioned the £65. I never thought about it being the government rebate, you’re probably right, anyway, Mrs B has requested some of our credit money back from Octopus. Thanks for the info.2 Bee Holed wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 12:52 amWithin octopus' website there is a facility to ask for some of that credit back. It even suggests how much you can ask for.
I was £600 in credit, I asked for and got £150 back. It's now in a savings account earning interest for me....if it's needed later, it's there. It's your money, ask for it back. Mine took 3 or 4 days to clear
Whoever it was who is pleased they are dropping their DD by £65, surely that the government rebate kicking in?
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Re: Central Heating
Not yet but it will going on when the mercury plummets to -zero & not until it's bearable applying extra layers & drinking hot liquids.
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Re: Central Heating
Nowhere near in my part of the country. Haven't closed all my windows yet. I'm up north tomorrow, sounds like I need to check the forecast and dig a winter coat out!
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Re: Central Heating
Some of us find it easier to budget if we have a set amount each month leaving our accounts, as you know energy bills have always varied wildly from summer to winter months. That's how it has come about. If the credit gets too much, you can always ask for some of it to be returned. Ovo used to pay 3% on any credit.rob63 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 1:35 amOr you could just tell them to send you a proper bill & you'll pay it..............dunno how we've got into this habit of paying in advance for something we might not use for 6 months under the guise of 'spreading the cost'..........would you do it with your food bill?
No we wouldn't allow this to happen with our food because that is a relatively similar bill each month and easier to budget for. What do you take us for? Imbeciles?
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Re: Central Heating
Guilty I'm afraid, we succumbed last night.
I feel awful.
I feel awful.
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Re: Central Heating
I'm currently paying 98 a month with Octopus, just checked my online account and from October it's dropping to 30 a month!! I know there's some government help, and I'm about 200 pounds in credit but that seems too cheap/too good to be true?
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Re: Central Heating
Thats why I have purchased this for a trial.chekhov wrote: ↑Mon Sep 26, 2022 9:07 amI would be very wary about these sort of products. Looks like they are usually manufactured in China and are marketed under various brand names. The claims about their effectiveness seem to be very optimistic.
Ultimately you get what you pay for so if it’s cheap to buy it’s good to be sceptical.
Often the Amazon reviews are also fake.
All heaters are bound by the laws of physics- you won’t get out more energy than you put in. Here’s a different view of one of these products (under a different brand name):
https://youtu.be/jHcrch92GzA
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Re: Central Heating
Beddie, octopus emailed me over the weekend dropping mine by £67, so yes it's the government rebate.
British Gas seem to be employing a far more complicated way of doing things.
You are the second person now to ask for some of your credit back. Can people stop doing this now, otherwise Octopus will go bust.
I'm only with them because Avro went bust. I can't go through all that again.
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Re: Central Heating
The government is donating £400 spread over 6 months (= c. £66 per month) so your fall is entirely due to this.
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Re: Central Heating
I've been with Octopus for a couple of years now, best energy company I've used. Very customer friendly.
I've also had the email and app clearly shows the deduction for the next 6 months.
I've also had the email and app clearly shows the deduction for the next 6 months.
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Re: Central Heating
Likewise, on Octopus, their graph which shows your projected usage and credit balance is very useful.
They've dropped my DD but I'll probably increase it and pay the same as I have done on top of the £65pm deduction, no guarantee high fuel prices are not around for a very long time. My fix ends mid 23 so I expect that will go up a lot, I'd rather save the "free money" for what it's meant for, can always withdraw.
They've dropped my DD but I'll probably increase it and pay the same as I have done on top of the £65pm deduction, no guarantee high fuel prices are not around for a very long time. My fix ends mid 23 so I expect that will go up a lot, I'd rather save the "free money" for what it's meant for, can always withdraw.
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Re: Central Heating
Also with Octopus and they lowered my DD by £67, I put it back up as I'd prefer to be in credit and take the money back later. Luckily I'm fixed till July next year, anyway so shouldnt feel any massive hit till then.
It's worth noting for those not on fixed deals that it would probably be better to keep your DD at the usual price (or possibly increase it) and have the £67 pay additionally against the new prices coming in on Sunday.
It's worth noting for those not on fixed deals that it would probably be better to keep your DD at the usual price (or possibly increase it) and have the £67 pay additionally against the new prices coming in on Sunday.
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Re: Central Heating
I always try to make it to Oct 1st - however it was pretty bloody cold at 6am this morning so I'm giving in... Spent the morning unsticking the pins on the radiator TRV's - a job I seem to have to do each year. Also need to order a couple of replacements at 25quid each.....
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Re: Central Heating
In terms of heating I did an experiment last night using electrical heaters rather than central heating. Admittedly, I'm on a cheap fixed deal for my electricity, whilst my gas is on standard tariff, but the results were quite ridiculous.
Basically to heat my living room with the gas fire for 2 hrs cost approx £2.50, whereas heating 2 separate bedrooms for the same duration cost £1.40 with electric heaters.
Gas seems to be utterly mental, currently.
Basically to heat my living room with the gas fire for 2 hrs cost approx £2.50, whereas heating 2 separate bedrooms for the same duration cost £1.40 with electric heaters.
Gas seems to be utterly mental, currently.
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Re: Central Heating
I suspect you are in the minority. Between those 2, Gas (central heating) will still be cheapest option for most people. Also, Living in a house less than 17 degrees is unhealthy for all age groups. Unless you absolutely can't afford it, prioritise your health and stick the heating on when it's cold. I'm as tight as they get but I've been convinced by people who know better than me. Health trumps money every time.Darthlaw wrote: ↑Tue Sep 27, 2022 1:18 pmIn terms of heating I did an experiment last night using electrical heaters rather than central heating. Admittedly, I'm on a cheap fixed deal for my electricity, whilst my gas is on standard tariff, but the results were quite ridiculous.
Basically to heat my living room with the gas fire for 2 hrs cost approx £2.50, whereas heating 2 separate bedrooms for the same duration cost £1.40 with electric heaters.
Gas seems to be utterly mental, currently.
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Re: Central Heating
As point out last week, for those not on a smart meter try to make sure you submit a meeting reading this weekend, might be worth doing it before Monday when the websites inevitably crash.
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Re: Central Heating
Has anyone used the crystal ball option on Octopus Web site for predicted bills from October 1st?
If correct, I don't know how people are going to manage to pay when they switch on the heating.
If correct, I don't know how people are going to manage to pay when they switch on the heating.
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Re: Central Heating
Got down to 84f today. Put a hoodie on. But by lunch I had the a/c on (again)
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Re: Central Heating
I used to love business trips to Houston in UK's winter months - chance to get warm and put the winter jacket away for a few days. Always good to hear a weather forecast for "nice weather," when the forecaster meant "nice weather" when the temperature fell below 80f. That was back when I was working, last visit was November 2015.CharlieinNewMexico wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:36 amGot down to 84f today. Put a hoodie on. But by lunch I had the a/c on (again)
A couple of weeks in the Algarve coming up, high of 25c will have to do, but chiller in the evenings.
Re: Central Heating
We had a failure on our boiler on Wednesday morning it's an Alpha Evoke 26 and still under warranty so we contacted Alpha, they were coming yesterday then this morning I rang 20 minutes since but found I was 25th in line, not holding my breath.
Re: Central Heating
Turned it on. Sod it.
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Re: Central Heating
Still got windows open here and I’m further north than Burnley
Re: Central Heating
I don't need it on, but sod it.
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Re: Central Heating
Turned it on 2 nights ago. Dropped to 73f brrrr.
Re: Central Heating
It’s only the missus who gets cold, so we’ve just bought an oil filled radiator for £30. She seems to like it.
Re: Central Heating
alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, theta, iota, kappa, lambda, mu, nu1, xi, omicron, pi1, rho, sigma, tau, upsilon, phi, chi1, psi1, omega.
They're starting at omega and working backwards obviously.
Mine kicked in this morning, I'll lower the stat need to toughen up.
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Re: Central Heating
Some of these boiler guarantees aren't worth the paper their written on. If my boiler went down I would expect the engineer to be on site within at least 48hrs.
Re: Central Heating
Have you had chance to try these out. Following with interest.
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Re: Central Heating
You can reduce your payment in the appAGENT_CLARET wrote: ↑Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:28 pm£865.12 in credit how the hell do they keep taking the same amount off me each month knowing I'm in credit to the tune of almost a grand.
Screenshot_20220925-222143_Octopus.jpg
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Re: Central Heating
Octopus have just changed my monthly DD payment from £100 to £33.00 each month.
Long story had trouble with the gas meter and only recently moved into the property which is a 4 bed detached but £33.00 per month is ridiculous I was paying £100 a month in my 2 bed apartment
Long story had trouble with the gas meter and only recently moved into the property which is a 4 bed detached but £33.00 per month is ridiculous I was paying £100 a month in my 2 bed apartment
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Re: Central Heating
All Octopus customers have had their DD reduced by £67 per month as part of the governments energy help scheme. It's until March I believe.Top Claret wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:03 amOctopus have just changed my monthly DD payment from £100 to £33.00 each month.
Long story had trouble with the gas meter and only recently moved into the property which is a 4 bed detached but £33.00 per month is ridiculous I was paying £100 a month in my 2 bed apartment
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Re: Central Heating
Can anyone give me some idea if the relative cost of 3 hours having the ch on (3-bed terrace) as opposed to just having the gas fire on in the living room ? I’m not sure how to work this out in the absence of a smart meter, though I guess I could try both options and in each case look at the relative movement in the meter dial and convert to £s
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Re: Central Heating
Correct.ClaretAndJew wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:08 amAll Octopus customers have had their DD reduced by £67 per month as part of the governments energy help scheme. It's until March I believe.
I received an email to that effect
Re: Central Heating
No expert at all, but if you check your main meter and see how much it rises, that must give you a good starting base. Measure the start and check it again in 3 hours time. You can then convert it to kilowatts, and you'll know how much they are charging you per kilowatt.Stalbansclaret wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 9:23 amCan anyone give me some idea if the relative cost of 3 hours having the ch on (3-bed terrace) as opposed to just having the gas fire on in the living room ? I’m not sure how to work this out in the absence of a smart meter, though I guess I could try both options and in each case look at the relative movement in the meter dial and convert to £s
Re: Central Heating
Have my heating to come on at 17 and it hasn't clicked in yet as it hasn't been below 18. Warm enough for me.
Re: Central Heating
The missus has put her foot down and it’s now gone on
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Re: Central Heating
Ours still hasn't been on, it's not cold enough yet.
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Re: Central Heating
Agree, nowhere near. I have a hive that kicks in when it needs to but it hasn't got close to that point yet
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Re: Central Heating
So for those on Octopus, you can can go on balance history, on mine you can see the £66 from the gov and my £30 odd quid for my export electric.
All your DD have been reduced by £66 due to getting your gov credit off £66.
All your DD have been reduced by £66 due to getting your gov credit off £66.