Cheapest way to stay warm using electricity

Lesley_Gaye

I have a small flat with old storage heaters. The main room and hallway have a storage heater, the kitchen and bathroom have wall mounted fan heaters. There is no gas supply available in the building

I am thinking of getting an oil filled radiator, or a panel heater as a cheaper and more efficient way to heat the flat but I can't seem to find anywhere that allows a comparison on how much it costs to run these type of appliances. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Premier_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1869133

paceinternet

The simple answer is that all the types of heater you describe have the same efficiency in terms of electrical kwh consumed and given out. They are virtually 100% efficient. There will be differences in the time taken to heat up, and the ways that the heat is distributed in the rooms, so it depends how you intend using them.

However, the biggest problem is that when you are on an E7 tariff, your daytime units are more expensive than if you are on a normal daytime tariff. If you increase your kwh usage outside the E7 period, it may not be worth having storage heaters and E7.
So you have to check how many units you are using during the E7 period and work out what it would cost if they were all on a good normal tariff.

Lesley_Gaye

OK thanks. I'll get the calculator out and do some sums

Premier_2

paceinternet wrote: »

...
However, the biggest problem is that when you are on an E7 tariff, your daytime units are more expensive than if you are on a normal daytime tariff. ...

Daytime units on an E7 tariff tend to be typically about 10% more expensive than the equivilent 24/7 rate, but not always

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1207887

Cheap rate E7 is typically about about 1/3 the cost of normal or day rate. You accept all electricity heaters are virtually 100% efficient, and anything that heats up by electricity uses enormous amounts of electricity compared to other appliances.

penrhyn

You could consider replacing your old storage heater with more modern versions, the control systems have improved over the years.
Not forgetting warm clothing.
This will enable you to take advantage of the cheaper night units, which your immersion heater should be on as well.
All electric heaters are 100% efficient.

paceinternet

Premier, the SP rates your original post links to are showing E7 rates less than half the price of normal units, plus an increase in the first 225kwh per quarter.
As was also commented, they were not the lowest cost rates that could be found.
You have to do the sums and use the switching sites to get prices for your supply region. It isn't the same answer for everyone.

Lesley_Gaye

lots of variables to think about. I wish gas was available, but the block was built without it

Premier_2

paceinternet wrote: »

Premier, the SP rates your original post links to are showing E7 rates less than half the price of normal units, plus an increase in the first 225kwh per quarter.
As was also commented, they were not the lowest cost rates that could be found.
You have to do the sums and use the switching sites to get prices for your supply region. It isn't the same answer for everyone.

You miss the point.

The cost with SP on their pay quarterly on receipt of bill, nsc tariff is cheaper for E7, than non E7 customers. i.e. The day rates on E7 are cheaper than the 24/7 rates ... and then you benefit from the lower night time rates on E7 too.

Yes the pricing is 2 tier, as are most suppliers who offer no standing charge tariffs

Remember, the final cost is not just about the unit prices. With £50 discount p.a. available for prompt payment, it all depends usage.

e.g. for a customer in Eastern Region who uses 3000kwh p.a. (assumed 20% night time for E7) who wants to pay quarterley on receipt of bill.

The cheapest option is Scottish Power E7 @ £325 per year (if agreeable to online billing) or £335 without online billing.

The cheapest option without E7 is BG websaver 3 @ an extra 18 quid on a cmparative basis i.e. online billing @ £343.
It is possible to save an additional 3.9% (capped @ 3.75 per quarter) with BG for prompt payment, so in this example a possible saving of £13.37p.a., still more expensive than the SP E7 online tariff.

Source: energyhelpline.com

paceinternet

"You have to do the sums and use the switching sites to get prices for your supply region". Your circumstances may influence your final decision, but from what I can see of the numbers:
For a postcode in Suffolk and your example 3000kwh 80/20 E7, the following are the lowest "Calculated annual price" on Uswitch:

Monthly ddbt single rate: £304 nPower (£306 BG websaver 3)
Monthly ddbt E7 rate: £334 EDF

Pay on receipt of bill single rate: £342 BG websaver 3
Pay on receipt of bill E7 rate: £354 Scottich Power

Premier_2

paceinternet wrote: »

"You have to do the sums and use the switching sites to get prices for your supply region". Your circumstances may influence your final decision, but from what I can see of the numbers:
For a postcode in Suffolk and your example 3000kwh 80/20 E7, the following are the lowest "Calculated annual price" on Uswitch:

Monthly ddbt single rate: £304 nPower (£306 BG websaver 3)
Monthly ddbt E7 rate: £334 EDF

Pay on receipt of bill single rate: £342 BG websaver 3
Pay on receipt of bill E7 rate: £354 Scottich Power

Unfortunately, the uSwitch site is not the best for this comparison as it won't allow a list of all options; you are asked beforehand on how you wish to pay.

Selecting pay on receipt of bill, cheapest option on E7 does indeed suggest SP @ £354, but this is pay in advance.

In fact I can't seem to get uSwitch to offer SP pay quarterly on receipt of bill.
Best to use another comparison site
Or do the calculation yourself using the Scottish Power tariff here:
http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/pricing_pdfs/general.pdf

Edit: regarding the SP pay monthly by DD, the cost of £334 is for Annual Fix version 3, not the comparative 24/7 version of the E7 pay monthly by DD.
It is also subject to a possible £25 early termination fee.