My Pre-Paid Gas Cost, Too Much?

[AlbaE]

Most of my friends are on bills for their utilities but I am on a pre-payment meter. I am paying $3.50 a night 3 or 4 hours of gas. I have 2 of my radiators on full inc the one that cannot be turned down. The hot water is also on though I hardly use it as I have an electric shower and am in the habit of boiling a kettle to wash up. I know $3.50 isn't a lot per say but added up I $35.00 every fortnight. with my electric be just $1.50 per day which is per fortnight $21.00 in total. I am paying what seems a fortune when it is a quarter of my income. Does anyone have any advice on this subject at? Thank you in advance.

[factor-fiction]

The vast majority of people on here are in the UK so may not be the best people to ask. Can you switch supplier? Do you have to be on a prepayment meter? Can you turn the hot water off/down if you don't use it much?

[ummmm]

This is mainly a UK site and I doubt our prices are the same.

[factor-fiction]

I think alba is in the UK -maybe she mistyped the £ symbol. She banks with TSB so can't be in the USA

[ummmm]

Just noticed that.

[AlbaE]

sorry guys never thought that would throw you off. the pound symbol is missing from this keyboard or hidden. I am in the Lancaster uk. I only turn the gas on when I need the heating, hence my habit of boiling the kettle. I am in private rented accommodation and while I know the landlady as a friend I also know that she has pre-payment meters due to ex tenants leaving big debts.

[bednobs]

you are not very good at adding up though 14 x £3.50 = £49 per fortnight

[bookbinder]

You can print the £ by holding down Alt, then entering 156 on your numeric keypad (on right of your keyboard).

[bednobs]

also, if it's a quarter of your wages, you probably need a different job, or to work more hours. If you only earn £560 Per month do you even get minimum wage?

[pastafreak]

That seems an awful lot for gas. I'm also on prepayment...run my heating between 3 and 5 hours,and pay a lot less. Maybe £10 per week. I just checked my usage tonight,and knowing what I had in my meter when I turned the heating on 3hours ago...I've used 90p.

[EDDIE51]

Looks like your landlady may be reselling gas via a prepay meter.Do you get your gas direct from the gas supplier or is your gas supplied off the landladies supply?
I think you should be supplied direct, not sure reselling gas is legal now.

[buildersmate]

Are you registered with the supplier as the consumer?
The pre-paid tariff on these things can be present to pay off previous debts.
Agreed, the amount paid seems a lot, even assuming you have minimal insulation and an old inefficient boiler.

[AlbaE]

first i havent added up wrong when pressing 2 i accidently hit 3 instead. nice to be pointed out though. i have been lais off work due to a bus accident i was in and am still having treatment for. a baker tends to need both arms so i cant work even if my legs did. my gas is from supplier and there is no debt on meter now as i had it checked and reset with new supplier.