Gas & Electricity For The First Time

matm00

My girlfriend and I are moving in together at the end of the month. I've lived with three other flatmates for years, so I have no idea what two people living together should expect to pay, although I would hope it'll be less.

Two questions really...

- I can't use a price comparison site, because I have nothing to 'compare', so where should I start?

- Is there any way I can find out what the 'average' couple spends on energy bills per month/annum?

Thanks

rsykes2000

Bills will depend on the size of the property you want to heat, is it a flat, house, modern, old, mid-terrace, detached etc ?

AfterDark

As above depends on the house size, I'm roughly £120 a month in the winter for both and only in a 2 bed semi, and thats with hardy anything being used durning the day as every one is out a work.

matm00

It's a 2/3 bed (1 is a box room), end terrace, period conversion. We have the first floor and loft conversion. I think it's fairly well insulated and all the windows are double glazed, so should be fairly economical. We both work in the day, so won't use much energy then. My girlfriend is also pretty good at turning everything off at the plug (even the TV, which I find annoying ).

£120 per month in the winter sounds like a lot, but as I said, I have nothing to compare it to. Any idea on summer costs?

As we're just starting out, does it make much difference who we go with initially - is there a comparison site that will just give straight prices, rather than asking what your current bill is and then telling you how much you could save?

Premier_2

matm00 wrote: »

... is there a comparison site that will just give straight prices, rather than asking what your current bill is and then telling you how much you could save?

It's not that simple I'm afraid. The total you will end up paying will depend on usage.

All the comparison sites give the details, such as unit prices, other charges & discounts, etc that make up the annual cost based on anticipated consumption.

matm00

I guess I need to look at unit prices and also try a comparison site - make up my 'average usage' and see who comes out top...

Fire_Fox

Just read the meter on the day you move in, ring in the readings and ask to be taken off the 'standard' (expensive) tariff. Read the meters one month later and you have your first indication of how much power you are going to use in summer/ winter (delete as applicable). Then look to switch!

Antispam

Once you move in monitor your usage and tell your supplier every month that ways you dont get any nasty shock and then get you back saying I pay £50 a month and now its gone up to £120 etc

KimYeovil

The national average is 20,500 kWh gas and 3,300 kWh electricity. That is for all households, though, not just a couple. But it is as good a place as any to start.

That usage costs about £75 per month on the cheapest tariff.

Just grab one of those deals from the comparison sites calculators. After a few months you can start to estimate more accurately you will be using. (This is a good time of year to move - a month or two of cold weather to see what you spend now followed by periods of mild weather.) (Of course, if you end up on the wrong tariff it's a bad time of year.)

matm00

Thanks for all the great advice everyone

One other question - we like the sound of the British Gas Energy Smart 'package'. Does anyone have any direct experience of using this and has it helped you cut back on energy usage?

Fire_Fox

Just use common sense: anything that produces a lot of heat will burn a hole in your pocket - all forms of heating, power showers, baths, hot wash for laundry, tumble dryers, ovens, lots of halogen lighting.