Just moved, standard SP tariff - huge bill?!?

texmexsj

Hi,
After some advice.
Just moved to a new property (late 60's early 70's build), 3 bed semi.
Gas bill (Scottish Power), just came in for period of 04/01/12 - 16/02/12 and it seems really high to me.
Usage - 4589 kWh (consumption charge 4589 x 4.061p, standing charge 44 days x 35.4p) Bill - £201.94 (for around six weeks).
Property is probably 'averagely' insulated, I know it's winter and the tariff probably isn't the best and the boiler is probably 15 - 20 years old). Heating has been on maybe just over average (whatever that is!), but the bill still seems very high.
Can I have some thoughts on this please?
I was planning on switching earlier but have been very busy.
Now I look, and all the £100 cash backs have gone!
Is it worth changing right now, or are the prices likely to drop as the warmer months approaches?

Help!

zzzLazyDaisy

It really depends on how you are using the gas. For example, if there is someone in the house all day, the heating could be taking some hammering, even with the current mild winter. My gas usage is higher than that, but I'm at home all day and feel the cold.

In any event the standard tariff is always going to be higher than an online tariff, so even just making that switch could help. Other than that, turning the thermostat down a notch, keeping doors closed, hanging heavy curtains to keep the heat in will all help.

An old boiler won't be the most efficient and you would probably save on fuel by replacing it, but if it is working fine, then you will have to save an awful lot of gas to offset the cost of a new boiler.

Keep an eye on Topcashback, Uswitch and other such sites for cashback offers, as they do come up from time to time.

macman

If you are on Standard tariff, that is the most expensive option, so time to hit the comp sites with your estimated annual kWh figures. A quick check in my area shows a saving of over 20% against your tariff.
Without knowing how you heat and hot water the property, how high you set the 'stat, how many hours a day etc, it's hard to be precise, but 4,500kWh is not unusual for 6 weeks (when it was very cold indeed for part of that).
What is 'average insulation? Have you checked cavity walls, loft, double glazing?And a 20 year old boiler will be much less efficient than a modern condensing one.
Unless you are going for a fixed tariff, the the possibility of prices dropping will make no difference, as suppliers will all follow one another.

jalexa

texmexsj wrote: »

Usage - 4589 kWh (consumption charge 4589 x 4.061p, standing charge 44 days x 35.4p) Bill - £201.94 (for around six weeks).

Are you concerned about your usage (assuming it is actual) or the cost (or both)?

You could reasonably expect to use about 30% of annual usage over Jan to Feb. Adjusting for 44 days your usage is a little above the 16,500kWhrs "average" but not much.

Regarding the "cost", check a Consumer Focus accredited comparison website using "average" figures of 16,500 gas and 3,300 electricity. Look at the "% savings" figure to see what % saving you could make by switching.

Also get a handle on your consumption by taking daily meter readingsd for week and then weekly readings for the rest of the month. Make sure any estimated readings on bills are corrected.

texmexsj

Thanks all.

I am more concerned about the usage, as price is usage dependant.

Am probably looking at a fixed rate, but don't know if prices generally tend to drop straight after winter?