i do i convert into Kwh?

roxy86_2

Can anyone help me convert into Kwh, I dont have a clue how to do it but I want to get an accurate comparison on the comparison websites.

Over last year April 9th 2009 - April 8th 2010 I used:

402 units of gas

and electricity low was 959 units

and electricity high was 3669 units.

Thanks in advance:)

dogshome

Hi roxy86
Electric The units your meter records are Kw
Gas The conversion of meter units to Kw depends on wether you have an Imperial or Metric gas meter - Imperial meters are marked Ft3 on the front, whilst Metric are marked M3
To convert Imperial units to Kw, multiply them by 31.5
To convert Metric units to Kw, multiply by 11.2
Note These are appx. conversion factors as it is adjusted on each bill for the varying quality of the gas

Premier_2

To convert gas to kWh, you need to know what type of gas meter you have, imperial or metric
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_meters_pic.shtml

Then use this calculator to convert to Kwh
http://www.energylinx.co.uk/gas_meter_conversion.html

For electric, I'm not sure whether you simply have a 2 tier tariff (i.e. no standing charge) or a 2 rate tariff (e.g. Economy 7)

If it's a 2 tier tariff, simply add the 2 figures together.

If it's a 2 rate tariff, then you need to specify the different usages in the comparison site. This might mean adding the 2 figures together and then specifying the low rate as a percentage of overall usage (20%)
You might be better off on a single rate tariff, but that may involve a change of meter for which a cost may be made (both supplier dependant - speak directly with them if you plan to change from 2 rate to single rate)

PeterDuckett

Well your electric is already in kWh so no conversion needed you have an E7 meter as yourself if you use enough electric in the evening between midnight to 7 (estimate) you might save more as a single credit meter where the add both reading together ie NON E7 it often only works out cheaper if you have storage heating

As for Gas is it metric (m3) or cubic (ft3) should say on the meter itself

so the formula for gas is:
Units x 2.83 Metric conversion factor (only if meter is Cubic)
x 39.2611 calorific value (this will chance ever so slightly from bill to bill)
x 1.022640 Volume correction
/ 3.6 convert to kWh

Example
(139 units x 2.83 x 39.2611 x 1.022640) /3.6 = 4387 kWh

about 12688 kWh for a cubic meter
about 4483 kWh for metric

roxy86_2

thanks everyone for the help. the gas meter is a ft one by the way and our electric is non e7.

now im wandering what to do. Looked on energyhelpline and Npowers new online tariff would save me another £90 a year but the discounts are only applied after youve been with them a year. Plus £80 cashback with topcashback.

Or should I go to the next supplier in the list who gives discounts every quarter and not yearly but the saving is less.

What does everyone think?

penrhyn

N-Power have awards for being the worst of the big six for customer service.

Premier_2

Don't be swayed by the cashback (unless you plan to become a switching tart). It's a one off payment, not 100% guaranteed, but nice to have if available. Think of it as the cherry on the cake ... but not any good if you don't like the cake in the first place.

As penrhyn says, n-Power is renowned for poor customer service.
Your decision will depend on who is the next in the list (and what their customer service is like), and whether the size of the difference in saving justifies the probable lower customer service and the fact that you may suffer an on-cost if you switch mid-year (due to possible loss of discounts for that year)

PeterDuckett

Dont Npower do sulting their first tier too and charge a standing charge not sure how good these site are for suled data

roxy86_2

ok maybe ill avoid Npower. The next in the list is Eon who Im already with. And then after that its Scottish Power and then British gas.

Savings for these 3 are generally the same give or take a few quid.

Do you think it is wise for me to switch? Im currently on Eon saveonline deal which is great but by switching to these other deals Im making about a £60-£70 saving. But then all of them say there is a cancellation fee which for most is about £50 if your dual fuel.

I dont know whats best to do?

roxy86_2

Premier wrote: »

Don't be swayed by the cashback (unless you plan to become a switching tart).

Ooh whats a switching tart?

macman

roxy86 wrote: »

thanks everyone for the help. the gas meter is a ft one by the way and our electric is non e7.

now im wandering what to do. Looked on energyhelpline and Npowers new online tariff would save me another £90 a year but the discounts are only applied after youve been with them a year. Plus £80 cashback with topcashback.

Or should I go to the next supplier in the list who gives discounts every quarter and not yearly but the saving is less.

What does everyone think?

You have quoted a high and low-rate usage though. So do you have an old E7 meter with the readings now combined to give a flat rate billing then? Only 20% of your consumption is on the quoted cheap rate.