How Electricity Charges work?

AceCobra1

Hi all,

I just moved into a flat powered by scottish hydro. As I haven't stayed on my own before, I am not sure how the electricity gets charged. I am looking at this website:

http://www.hydro.co.uk/ourprices/

I guess I will be on the standard tariff? I will probably be paying the bill as it comes so I am guessing every 4 months? I have used 175 units since I moved in 15 days ago. Am I right to say that for every unit, I will get charged 13.08p + a daily charge of 27.41p I am in the flat?

Would you say that using 11.5 units a day is average or excessive?

Cardew

Firstly the Standard tariff with most companies is their most expensive - other than those that fix the price for a year or two ahead.

11.5 units a day is very good if you are heating water with electricity(i.e.. don't have gas) but your consumption will soar when you start heating the flat; and of course in winter your lights are on much longer.

So look at on-line tariffs, paying by Direct debit and you will get cheaper deals. You don't say where you live, but look at comparison websites - and enter kWh - for a cheaper tariff. I appreciate you don't know your annual consumption, but enter firstly 5,000kWh pa, then 10,000kWh etc and the cheapest tariff will become apparent.

AceCobra1

Thanks for the reply. My postcode is G11 6DL.

I don't quite understand why the standard tariff would be cheaper than economy ??

AceCobra1

AceCobra1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. My postcode is G11 6DL.

I don't quite understand why the standard tariff would be cheaper than economy ??

Also, I guess I will be heating the water with electricity as there is an on off switch beside the boiler

Cardew

Firstly the Scottish Hydro standard tariff prices do not correspond to the prices you have stated in your first post; so you need to find out what tariff you have from Scottish Hydro.

Secondly, for 5,000kWh pa there are many tariffs over £100pa cheaper than Scottish Hydro standard tariff - the cheapest is £149 cheaper.

For 10,000kWh pa the lowest is £297 cheaper.

Don't understand why you mention Economy 7 - you haven't given the prices in Post 1. you would have an off-peak rate of around 6p/kWh.

Do you have storage heaters?

AceCobra1

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I have storage heaters but since I moved in for the last 2 weeks, I have had it on for less than 1 1/2 hours in TOTAL I live in the 8th floor on a block of 15 flats. So I believe the flat is quite warm as it is so no need to use the heater too often:money:

molerat

AceCobra1 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I have storage heaters but since I moved in for the last 2 weeks, I have had it on for less than 1 1/2 hours in TOTAL I live in the 8th floor on a block of 15 flats. So I believe the flat is quite warm as it is so no need to use the heater too often:money:

They won't be storage heaters then, probably electric space heaters.

Man_Overboard_2

With all due respect to the OP, who starts by saying that he/she does not know how electricity charges work, how much easier will it be for him/her once standing charges are universal, and two-tier tariffs are history?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Cardew wrote: »

Firstly the Scottish Hydro standard tariff prices do not correspond to the prices you have stated in your first post; so you need to find out what tariff you have from Scottish Hydro.

taken from link in op:




I think 11.5 units a day is quite high.

Is the water heater on all day?

If tank is well insulated you could maybe have it on for an hour in the morning and a boost later if needed.

You could maybe think about getting it on a time switch.

AceCobra1

OK, I will have a look. Much appreciated replies guys The water heater WAS on all day but I have started just shutting it off now. Problem is that the tank is quite small so when I shower in the morning, the hot water finishes in about 5 - 7 minutes. And that is with me putting it to medium lol. One thing I don't quite understand is, how the hot water boost works. Does it heat up and then once i use it, it will get refilled with the water and reheat it slowly? Does having the boost all day make a big difference because i guess the boost will only be on when the water drops temperature drops slightly ?