betterplan plus product rules

1. General

1.1. These product rules are in addition to the General Terms and Conditions for the supply of electricity and/or gas. To the extent that there is any inconsistency or conflict between these product rules and the general terms and conditions, these product rules will prevail.
1.2. betterplan plus is available on a dual-fuel or all-electric basis i.e. no mains gas (General domestic, Economy 7, E10, THTC, Superdeal).
1.3. Payment must be quarterly or by direct debit.
1.4. You agree to receive regular betterplan plus information on energy efficiency, environmental updates and offers on energy and energy services from us and our group companies.
1.5. betterplan plus is not available in conjunction with other domestic energy products.

2. Hydro electricity

2.1. We will match the aggregate annual consumption of electricity by you with the equivalent amount of electricity generated from hydro sources.

3. Cash Credits

3.1. General
3.1.1. betterplan plus rewards will not be available in cash form, but will be as cash credits which are applied to and reduce the energy bill;
3.1.2. We will apply cash credits to your electricity or gas bill, we reserve the right to choose for account management purposes;
3.1.3. Cash credits will be itemised on your bill and will be made inclusive of VAT.

3.2. Energy Reduction Cash Credits
3.2.1. You will be rewarded for reducing the amount of energy you use by 10% or more in a measurement period. There will be two levels of cash credits, for energy reduction of 10% or more, and for reductions of 20% or more;
3.2.2. A measurement period is about 12 months depending on your billing cycle and starts with an actual or deemed meter reading and ends with an actual meter reading;
3.2.3. Customers will become eligible for review around 12-15 months from their betterplan plus start date, however this period will vary depending on your billing cycle and will always be following an actual meter reading;
3.2.4. Meter readings can be taken by you or us;
3.2.5. You can earn a cash credit if the combined level of electricity and gas usage (or electricity usage, in the case of electricity only customers) (calculated on the average daily usage) in one measurement period is at least 10% less than that measured in the preceding full measurement period;
3.2.6. No cash credit can be made if a measurement period is not concluded by an actual meter reading provided by you or us;
3.2.7. Weather correction adjustments are not included in energy use comparisons;
3.2.8. If you are an existing customer and converting to betterplan plus, we will base the first annual energy consumption comparison on actual consumption data for the previous year (if it can be based on actual meter readings, otherwise see 3.2.9 below);
3.2.9. If you are a new customer switching to betterplan plus, we will base the first annual energy consumption comparison on the standard industry bases e.g. AA (annualised advance, the annual electricity consumption at a metered supply point based on known consumption and extrapolated using a profile) and AQ (annual quantity, the gas consumption at a metered supply point in one year);
3.2.10. If you move house, the measurement period is deemed to be cancelled and a new measurement period commences when you give us an actual meter reading from your new address;
3.2.11. After the initial comparison period, assessment for cash credits will be made on a year by year basis;
3.2.12. We aim to issue cash credits to you within 3 months of the end of any measurement period.

3.3. Paperless Bills Cash Credits
3.3.1. You will be rewarded for choosing the betterplan plus paperless billing option;
3.3.2. This one-off cash credit will be applied to the bill following the completed paperless bill application.

3.4. Energy Efficiency Cash Credits
Installations
3.4.1. You can earn cash credits by: (a) purchasing and arranging installation of loft insulation through us; (b) purchasing and arranging installation of cavity wall insulation through us; (c) purchasing and arranging installation of a condensing boiler through us;
3.4.2. Each of these measures is subject to terms and conditions, site survey, formal acceptance of our quotation and installation by our contractor;
3.4.3. The cash credit will be applied to the bill following completion of the installation;
3.4.4. Condensing boiler installation is subject to regional availability restrictions.
3.4.5. In relation to installations, only one cash credit is available per installation type per household.

Shopping
3.4.6. You can earn cash credits by shopping online at www.thehydroshop.co.uk and buying A-rated electrical appliances over £250.00 (inc. VAT/excl. delivery charge);
3.4.7. The cash credit will be applied to the bill following your payment for the goods.

Wiring check
3.4.8. You can earn cash credits by arranging a free wiring check by us.
3.4.9. The wiring check is subject to qualifying conditions, available at the point of request;
3.4.10. The cash credit will be applied to the bill following completion of the wiring check.

Boiler and central heating protection schemes
3.4.11. You can earn cash credits by subscribing to our gas boiler and central heating protection schemes;
3.4.12. There are two levels of rewards. Boiler and Controls Protection customers will receive £15 cash back (six months after accepted application) and a cash credit. Full Central Heating Protection customers will receive £25 cash back (six months after accepted application) and a cash credit;
3.4.13. Gas boiler and central heating protection schemes are subject to regional availability restrictions and terms and conditions;
3.4.14. The cash credit will be applied to the bill following the completion of your subscription application.

3.5. Offers
3.5.1. We will provide offers to you from time to time as part of betterplan plus.
3.5.2. These offers may be varied at any time and are subject to availability.

Other information

Energy reduction - savings

Reduce your energy use by 10% – Based on Southern Electric average dual fuel bill paying quarterly or by Direct Debit. Based on prices as at April 2010. Based on domestic consumption of 3,300 kWh electricity p.a. and 20,500 kWh gas p.a. Includes VAT at 5%.

Reduce your energy use by 20% – Based on Southern Electric average dual fuel bill paying quarterly or by Direct Debit. Based on prices as at April 2010. Based on domestic consumption of 3,300 kWh electricity p.a. and 20,500 kWh gas p.a. Includes VAT at 5%.

UK's leading generator of renewable electricity

*"We" means the Scottish and Southern Energy Group, of which SSE Energy Supply Ltd and SSE Generation Ltd are members. SSE Generation Ltd generates more renewable electricity than any other energy company in the UK. Based on installed capacity as at 31.5.09 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/publications/dukes/dukes.aspx (section 5.11)

Insulation grant of up to £250 for loft insulation

Source: The figures are an indication of cost and will vary according to the size of the house. All information from www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Insulation grant of up to £400 for cavity wall insulation

Source: The figures are an indication of cost and will vary according to the size of the house. All information from www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Energy efficiency – Save around £340 a year with simple actions

Source: http://www.derby.gov.uk/Housing/Derby+Home+Energy+Advice+Service/Homeenergyenergyefficiency.htm

Cavity wall insulation – Save up to £115 per year

Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements/Home-insulation-glazing/Cavity-wall-insulation

Switch to energy-saving bulbs

Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Energy-saving-products/Energy-saving-lightbulbs-and-fittings

Fit a hot water tank jacket and save around £35 a year

Source: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements/Home-insulation-glazing/Tanks-and-pipes-insulation

uSwitch Customer Service Awards

*Southern Electric is part of the Scottish and Southern Energy Group, voted Best Overall Energy Supplier in the 2006 (two Reports), 2007 (two Reports), 2008 and 2009 uSwitch Customer Satisfaction Reports.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The information provided in this website on energy savings and energy consumption is provided as a guide to illustrate how householders might save energy. In all cases these are typical figures based on information provided by the Energy Saving Trust and other sources. Actual energy savings will vary depending on a householder's circumstances. Photographs included within the testimonials are not actual images of customers quoted.

For more information, visit www.southern-electric.co.uk/betterplanplus. Alternatively, call the betterplan plus team on 0800 096 6219 (Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 8am to 2pm) or write to: betterplan plus, Southern Electric, Grampian House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 3GH.