Paying Bills

High Fuel Bills and Their Impact

The creation of high fuel bills has two disadvantages. These would include:

• The knock-on effects of unnecessary energy demand on the environment leading to high fuel bills
• The possibility of creating, for the individuals concerned, problems paying for other bills
  

Prepayment Meters

As a result of high fuel bills, there has been a rise in the number of prepayment meters installed over the last ten years. Prepayment meters are frequently installed in the homes of people who have had problems in paying their fuel bills in the past. There are a variety of reasons why some individuals, or group of individuals, may slip into fuel debt and if this situation persists, it can have repercussions on the rest of their budget, such as paying for food or essentials.

The 'supply of fuel' industry was deregulated during the 1990s and this has radically changed the way we now purchase our fuel. Fuel suppliers that once supplied only electricity or gas, now frequently can supply both. Some of these suppliers may also provide other services too. The individual is, as a result, faced with an array of suppliers all offering different tariffs, payment schemes, special discounts and other offers.

For the consumer, this can be very confusing.  Some of the information in this section relates directly to homeowner situations but hopefully, an overview of all options available will enable a fuller understanding of the possibilities.