£90 gas/electric on smallish council flat...can this be right?

MaebyFunke

Boyfriend and I are about to move into a 2-bed ex-council flat, private rental from the owner who has lived there herself for past 7 years. Part of the reason for choosing ex-council was that friends had told us they're much more economical than conversions when it comes to bills.

Having asked landlords about typical gas and electricity, she said she pays £90 a month for both together (from EDF, I believe.) She also says she left the boiler on almost constantly so it would probably come down if we were more sensible.

The flat has a soon-to-be-replaced boiler and electric shower: Its surrounded by all sides and seems like it would be fairly well insulated. New double glazed windows, etc. Boyfriend and I now somewhat concerned as we budgeted about half this.

I know its hard to guestimate typical expenses, but can someone please reassure me this is quite high and if we're sensible, eg only turning boiler on for half an hour to heat water in taps, we can cut this down significantly?

parcival

It sounds high. We have a 4 storey town house and have been paying £64 per month with NPower. This was not enough so are now paying £90 per month which I think is a bit to much. We do have a new and very efficient boiler and are careful about the heating of hot water and do not leave the heating on if its not really needed....

Cardew

£90 a month is slightly below the UK average.

Obviously a small well insulated flat should be below average for heating; but that is only one part of the energy bill; albeit a large element.

It is quite easy to use £400 to £500 on electricity alone.

Funky_Gibbon

Cardew wrote: »

£90 a month is slightly below the UK average.

Obviously a small well insulated flat should be below average for heating; but that is only one part of the energy bill; albeit a large element.

It is quite easy to use £400 to £500 on electricity alone.

I live in a large 1 bedroom apartment with single glazed windows and an old boiler and my combined bill doesn't come to £500. Admittedly I probably don't use as much gas as the average person.

If MaebyFunke and her boyfriend both work and are out of the flat for half the day I don't see how they could use that much gas and electricity.