Best tariffs for an empty flat?

percypercy

I’ve recently moved into my girlfriend’s house so I need advice on changing the energy tariffs on my flat.
I’m currently on an Npower dual fuel tariff. Are there better options out there for me? Basically, I’m looking for a ‘pay as you go’ type deal, being as I’m only there for a few hours a week – just to pick up my post and check everything is still OK.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Similarly, if anyone knows of anything similar I can do with my water rates.

Premier_2

You want to be on a no standing charge tariff. Perhaps pay on receipt of bill to avoid paying for energy you haven't used. Tell the supplier to expext extremely low usage due to long periods of non-occupancy else any estimated bills will be high and they may not accept your readings.

Don't sugest pay as you go as that implies pre-payment meter. May not be best especially if you require a small supply to power say an alarm system. It would be easy for the meter to run out without you knowing if you are not there often.

With regards water, if its metered some suppliers offer a non standing charge option for low users. You need to ask if your supplier does ... but don't tell them the property is unoccupied as I dont think they offer it to empty properties, just low users.
Having said that, my water company says there's no charge for empty properties anyway, but I know many do carry on charging.

percypercy

Thanks Premier, that's really helpful information. Will get on the case this weekend.

Do npower do the 'no standing charge tariff' that you mention or is it better to switch to another company?

Premier_2

nPower certainly do offer some no-standing charge tariffs.

If you don't want the hassle of switching supplier, just changing the tariff with the existing supplier is definitely easier - you should be able to do so immediately just by calling them (check there is no penalty for switching away from your current tariff though)

nPower may or may not be the cheapest supplier, but if you are hardly using any energy anyway, who cares what the unit charge is as long as its a no standing charge tariff

1carminestocky

I suppose the real money saving idea would be to change your existing tariff with npower immediately to a no standing charge one then switch away to a supplier that not only offers no standing charge but also cashback from one of the cashback sites? Just a thought..

Bark01

As above but also look for a product that offers some form of fixed discounts. If you pay by DD and are DF and don't use any energy then if a supplier has a fixed discount for these they might even end up paying you money. I think npower are already one of the best bets for this.

Ken68

Wouldn't you lose your annual discount, Percy. £100!!.

percypercy

Well, I've just had my £100 annual discount, Ken, so I reckon now's a good time to switch.

1carminestocky - how do you find out which companies do a no standing charge through a cashback site?

Bark - I see where you're coming from but the £100 discounts are annual, and I don't think I'll be owning the flat in another year. I'm just looking for ways to reduce a £75 a month bill for the next 6 months or so.