I’ve been thinking about using my energy company as a go to savings account, you know, request I move to a fixed direct debit payment where I can filter £500 a month into it and build up a nice in balance credit that gives knack all interest 
Thoughts? 
Will £500 a month be enough for your energy bills this coming winter, with the anticipated price rises?
So, our latest dual fuel energy bill from BG has now arrived and was £67, that is £14 a month more than we’re paying pre price cap. That is an actual bill via smart meters.
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Sounds about right for the middle of summer if paying by variable DD.
Mine was £52.35 duel fuel for July usage.
DD is £100pm so balance accruing.
I’m putting £170pm aside, so £70pm surplus in savings account atm, ready for winter bills.
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Mmmm, you’d think, however I know some folks whose actual monthly dual dual bills, are coming in at almost £100. The Lord only knows what they’re doing to be using that much energy and once the heating goes on, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
I’m putting bog all aside for winter bills, we’ll just pay the variable d/d as it comes in. I guess I’m thankful we don’t have to budget like many folks do in that we’re not sat down at a table every month trying to work out where the money is going to be divided. I have the greatest of sympathy for those that are barely making ends meet.
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Well that’s an LED filament lamp isn’t it?
With some lights, you might have to change the whole fitting. Although I live in a one year old new build property, I still changed the living room single ceiling rose for a modern 3 lamp fitting. Did the same in the entrance lobby. Otherwise, all other light fittings are LED of some description, including all the downlights in the kitchen and bathroom.
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It is now that I’ve revisited the Amazon order. 
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Then I need to check that shed-load of little ceiling bulbs in the kitchen….
One can even buy smart double plug sockets and extension leads, fully controllable via Alexa or App. I’m thinking of replacing some of the double sockets in my own house with smart sockets.
I like the sound of that….
I just need to ensure the tail’s not wagging the dog.
If you’ve had them years, they’ll likely be halogen GU10’s and burning too much leccy. It will likely be easier to replace them with complete new units, though you would need to look at the connections and whether or not they need a separate LED driver. Or obviously just replace the halogen GU10 with a LED GU10, though be aware they might stick out further from the light fitting due to the led driver components being housed within the bulb.
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Right - I’ll similarly check my orders. I recall those model references now you mention them….
My parents bill last month was £222. Definitely higher than before, but not worrying.
Could well be larger properties or those where you can’t introduce certain energy saving measures like cavity walls.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2013/06/beyond-average-consumption-summary-doc_updated-june13_0.pdf makes interesting reading
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Yes, interesting reading.
I guess I and my Wife fall into Archetype 9 in a very loose way. We are not ‘average’ users, probably using less energy than many. Also, our house is a new build in the last 12 months so meets much higher standards than many older properties. We will of course just be riding the energy storm like everyone else.
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Those figures are quite interesting! Although reading my parents bill to compare - they’re higher than any on there (30,832 kwh Gas + 11,291 kwh Electric).
So that’s approx. 80% increase for ‘typical household’
Does this translate to approx. 80% increase for everyone, or does the percentage increase vary depending on certain factors?
Yes. The price cap is on the unit price per kWh of gas/electricity and the standing charge, so whatever your energy is costing you now* is going to rise by around 80%.
*the total number of kWh you are using, not your monthly direct debit
My estimate via MSE calculator is a 71% increase.