Electricity advice (rural location)

Tichey

Hello,

We live in a rural area and we have a 2 bedroom house which has 3 storage heaters and 2 electric heaters which are all about 15 yrs old.

Although the first couple of bills seemed to be pretty low with just under £200, I was expecting our next winter bill for around £380 for a two bedroom property, and only using 2 storage heaters (until I gave up and stuck with just the 1 storage heater) and the odd portable heater (only when it's required).

We had our bill, but it was estimated and it was £400 (fair enough). But, the estimation was wrong and I phoned Eon and I was given (over the phone) a new bill for nearly £600 (wow!) which they insisted I pay asap or £48 per week for the next year, which would cover my entire usage. I asked them to send the original bill for which I was now quoted and I would pay this entire bill by the beginning of April, in time for my next bill(I normally pay my bills this way). But, although I’m still in a dispute with Eon and after nearly 3 months they have still not sent the bill to me and are insisting I pay this new bill for nearly £600 asap, or pay my usage even though I have an agreement with them. Plus, I’m not in debt with them, I am entitled to have my bill which I have been quoted.

I’m now thinking of changing my provider (obviously) but not sure which is the best and can offer a better deal. But, what other heating systems are much cheaper to run and can provide reliable heat during the winter. Sadly we cannot get gas central heating as we live in the country but I have looked at Calor gas?

If anyone can advise this would be much appreciated.

macman

If you are on an E7 tariff with storage heaters, then using a portable electric heater is a bad idea, as all your peak rate consumption (i.e. outside the 7 E7 hours) will be at a premium rate-about 3 times the cheap rate cost.
What is the point of having two storage heaters and then only using one?
Hit the comp sites with your annual kWh figures to find the cheapest deal. There is no 'best' or 'cheapest' supplier: it depends on region and consumption. But you will not be able to switch if you have a £600 debt with the existing supplier, anything over £200 will normally result in a transfer being blocked.
You can avoid estimated bills by giving regular readings-at least every 3 months.

Tichey

Macman - I'm on E10 and the other storage heater does not work (long story). And I don't have a dept, as stated. I am to pay this bill by the 4th April and I'm still waiting for my bill after nearly 3 months. But, I am looking at changing my provider and looking at other heating systems. Plus, I was giving readings to my provider (Eon). Thankyou

macman

'Dept'?
Debt?
E10 is highly restrictive when it comes to switching suppliers-do a forum search for further info.

[Deleted User]

Tichey wrote: »

Hello,

We live in a rural area and we have a 2 bedroom house which has 3 storage heaters and 2 electric heaters which are all about 15 yrs old.

Although the first couple of bills seemed to be pretty low with just under £200, I was expecting our next winter bill for around £380 for a two bedroom property, and only using 2 storage heaters (until I gave up and stuck with just the 1 storage heater) and the odd portable heater (only when it's required).

We had our bill, but it was estimated and it was £400 (fair enough). But, the estimation was wrong and I phoned Eon and I was given (over the phone) a new bill for nearly £600 (wow!) which they insisted I pay asap or £48 per week for the next year, which would cover my entire usage. I asked them to send the original bill for which I was now quoted and I would pay this entire bill by the beginning of April, in time for my next bill(I normally pay my bills this way). But, although I’m still in a dispute with Eon and after nearly 3 months they have still not sent the bill to me and are insisting I pay this new bill for nearly £600 asap, or pay my usage even though I have an agreement with them. Plus, I’m not in dept with them, I am entitled to have my bill which I have been quoted.

I’m now thinking of changing my provider (obviously) but not sure which is the best and can offer a better deal. But, what other heating systems are much cheaper to run and can provide reliable heat during the winter. Sadly we cannot get gas central heating as we live in the country but I have looked at Calor gas?

If anyone can advise this would be much appreciated.

Hi,

One way you to have a warm house with low bills like mains gas would be going down the expensive initial install route of renewables, GSHP/ASHP/Biomas.

Other options include solid fuel [wood/coal] but no timer facility.

Oil/LPG, most folk want rid of that too, more so LPG...

Plug in electric heaters, v expensive long term...

No point in falling out with EON if they end up being the cheapest supplier after a check.

Cheers

Andy_WSM

Tichey wrote: »

And I don't have a dept, as stated. I am to pay this bill by the 4th April and I'm still waiting for my bill after nearly 3 months.

If you owe £600 from nearly 3 months ago, you certainly owe money now - therefore you have a debt. If you are billed based upon readings then you have a credit meter - i.e. e.on are extending credit to you every time you turn on an appliance = a debt!

By far the cheapest way to pay for your electricity is by regular direct debit, build up a credit in the Summer ready for the Winter. E.on (as well as others) give a decent discount for paying by this method.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Tichey wrote: »

Macman - I'm on E10 and the other storage heater does not work (long story). And I don't have a dept, as stated. I am to pay this bill by the 4th April and I'm still waiting for my bill after nearly 3 months. But, I am looking at changing my provider and looking at other heating systems. Plus, I was giving readings to my provider (Eon). Thankyou

Hi Tichey

Just a thought, but have you registered your account with our website?

If you have, this means paperless billing and you won't receive a bill through the post. Instead, we'll send an email to the address registered advising a bill is ready to view online. You'll need to log in with your username and password.

You can download the bill and print it off if you wish.

If not, give us a call and we'll send you a copy. Alternatively, drop an email to the address in my Profile and I'll be happy to send you a copy.

Malc