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best gas and electric for someone with raynuads and fibromalgia

julie03
julie03 Posts: 1,096 Forumite
my mum is moving into a one bedroom flat soon and has raynuads so her heating will be on most of the winter, she is 66
wondered who would be best to go with

thanks

Comments

  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The cheapest?

    Try to estimate her annual usage and use the comparison sites to get the best deal.
    Depending on the confidence in the estimate used, it may be best to choose a tariff that has no tie in period so that you can keep the consumption under constant review and change supplier if it proves wildly inaccurate.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • As she is vulnerable then most suppliers will have special tariffs to help out,especially if she is on benefits. These tariffs may not show on comparasion sites, phone and ask
    Hope this helps
    Good luck
  • specialsparky is right there are 'social tariffs' available for certain groups, and it sounds like your mum would fall into those groups.

    Consumer Focus has details on those tariffs. If you go to

    ww.consumerfocus.org.uk/energy-help-and-advice/your-energy-questions (sorry I can't post links yet!)

    and then enter social tariffs, the number one answer should be:

    1. social tariffs...

    this has details of the offerings and contact details for the suppliers.

    Otherwise Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06) should be able to give you more info.

    These tariffs will be the cheapest options.


    Good luck.

    Dave
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 15 June 2010 at 9:50AM
    SimpleDave wrote: »
    ...These tariffs will be the cheapest ...
    Not necessarily, it's still worth using a comparison site to see if a better deal than a social tariff is available.

    (You can't do this directly, you'll have to compare the annual costs as the comparison sites only list tariffs that are generally available)


    The link you posted only shows British Gas Essentials tariff. Other suppliers have social tariffs too.
    The BG tariff is 15% less than their standard tariff.
    I strongly suspect that can be bettered, especially for a high user using a web based, pay monthy by DD tariff.


    Edit: The page was slow loading, the other suppliers are also listed :o

    http://cfe.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/cfe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5111&p_created=1210078248&p_sid=yp5gYt2k&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9OCw4JnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXNvY2lhbA**&p_li=&p_topview=1

    But still the discounts are not great. e.g. E.on is also up to 15% off standard prices, nPower gives 20% off their standard prices

    (standard tariffs are usually the most expensive tariff available)

    SP seems a little better as it will be equal to the lowest SP tariff (but who says SP will be the cheapest supplier? A comparison site)

    EDF says its the same as those on DD pay monthly tariff (but does specify which one, presumably the most expensive) plus a £75 annual discount.

    SSE seems perhaps the best option at 20% off the cheapest tariff for that area...but still worth checking via a comparison site if that can be beaten by another supplier.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • thor
    thor Posts: 5,506 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    I read somewhere that pensioners can get a £75 payment if they are edf customers.
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