Advice please

TotalDespair

Im moving into a 2nd floor all electric flat in January, at the moment Im in a lovley warm gas combi warm ground floor flat and I like my heat...

The new flat is on the 2nd floor and only has storage radiators in the one bedroom and lounge, and the bathroom and kitchen have what looks like fan heaters mounted on the wall to heat those rooms.

I havent a clue how to choose an electrical supplier as Ive stuck with BGas for years.

The flat has secondary glazing and small windows, Im not in a position to have massive bills..any hints on how to start using these storage raiators wisely and efficiently and how to keep warm without expensive bills.

L

Fire_Fox

Could you perhaps delay moving until February?

You won't be able to choose your supplier initially, you will be with the current supplier under a deemed contract - ask to switch off the standard (expensive) tariff. If you have storage heaters you will have two readings (day and night OR low and normal) and need an Economy 7 tariff. That means your night electricity will be cheaper than average and your day more expensive, so DO NOT use the fan heaters in the day and DO NOT use the boost button on the storage heaters.

I have an all electric flat and I only heat my living area: my bed has an electric underblanket with an overnight setting so I am toasty warm for pennies. Set the storage heaters to high input and low output so you have constant heat all day, you can then increase the output in the evening to get the last of the heat out, but then turn down again before bed. Put your washing machine/ tumble dryer/ dishwasher/ immersion heater on timer to come on overnight and take advantage of the cheap rate electricity.

dogshome

Hi TotalDespair - Unless you are already committed to moving to the new flat, my advice would be DON'T
The fact that it has secondary glazing points up that it is an older property, in which the loft insulation is an unknown quantity and that it may have solid brick walls that cannot be insulated - If your 2nd floor flat is in fact the top floor, the heat you are paying for could go straight out through the roof
Storage radiators are the most inefficent and expensive heating system there is, and a small flat could easily cost £1200 a year for heating and hotwater - read Fire Fox's post above - it's all good advice, but he is having to manage the system very tightly to contol the costs
Sorry to be a harbinger of doom, but it's better you know now rather than next April when a big bill lands on the mat
Good Luck