New to Gas and Elec!

Starbrite

I've just moved into a one bed flat, It's insulated to a good stanadard. (had a man come round and check all this, this morning)

At the moment I have Gas for heating and cooker on a direct debit bill (yet to contact a supplier and set this up)

Elec is on a pre pay meter, I've taken a dislike to it all ready! I've been in the flat since Sat 15th Dec. So far it's using a £1 a day more or less

I'm with E-on on a Ecomany 7 rate! (at night midnight to 7am is the cheap rate, Don't know about you but I'm asleep then!)

I pay 16p a day for the privilage of having a pre paid meter going up to 27p on 18th Jan!

My day rate is 14.94 per unit
Night 5.96

I work full time, and over the last few days I've been out of the property more than in take last night I got home at 8pm and left at 8.15 this morning yet I still used a £1 of elec all I did was cook dinner gas and watched and hour n half at the most of tv oh and charged my phone. Only things pluged in 24/7 alarm clock and a mini fridge (yet to buy a fridge freezer thing!)

Do I:

A- Keep the pre paid meter or switch to D/D

B- Change to another supplier? Liking the idea of Ovo Energy and their rainforrest and 3% interest values

C- Get a degree so I can understand how it all works! working out units in a drink is so much easier!

It's annoying as my gas is D/D and elec is prepaid the compare websites can't seem to find a duel fuel deal

dogshome

Get onto your Gas supplier TODAY and report your residence in the flat, the date you moved in and what the Gas meter reading was on that day.

If you ask, they will tell you what the previous tenants Annual gas consumption was - You can then use this a figure on the Switch sites There is no guarantee yours will be the same, but you have to start somewhere

As for the Elec, some suppliers will swap your PAYG meter for a Credit meter for free whilst others will charge for it.
In these difficult economic times, suppliers are tightening up on who they give credit to and will often make a Credit check, and/or ask for an upfront deposit

Starbrite

Thanks

I found out my supplier Had to use an online service thing to find out!

British Gas is my supplier spoken to then she went on and on and on..... however Tarrif I'm on is 4.42 per unit and 24p daily standing charge!

I gave BG the meter reading I took Sat as dropped first load of boxes off.

BG also said something about a mthly D/D of £35 a mth can be set up. I've opted out at the mo and gone for the quartely bill option...... However this may soon change

Eon have said they will remove the key meter for free.

dogshome

OK - You are now on BG's "Standard" tariff, which is the most expensive - The least expensive will be the one with D/Debit payment, Online Billing & Dual Fuel

Whilst Dual Fuel is a discount for getting both Gas & Elec from the same supplier, the discount is not BIG bucks and only worth £8 -£10 a year, and it will be some time before the Elec meter change when you could get it, and the other discounts on your Elec.

In your position I would get those previous tenant Gas readings from BG and use them on the Switch sites for Gas only supply - Try 'switchwithwhich' - opting for monthly D/D's with Online billing.
This way you get onto a cheaper tariff asap for Gas which is likely to be the highest bill, and can always add the Elec when the meter is sorted to get the few bob discount for Dual Fuel

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Starbrite

Hope the move went well. Just thought I'd pop on with a quick heads up.

We'll certainly change your electricity meter from prepayment to credit for free but will ask to carry out a credit check first.

If all ok, make sure you choose the type of meter best suited to your usage.

You may not be using enough electricity at night to benefit from the Economy 7 meter you have at the moment. Depending on the area, to benefit from Economy 7, you need to use approx 40 to 55 per cent electricity during the cheaper off peak period.

If you're not doing this, you'll be better off on a single rate.

Make sure you have this discussion when arranging for the meter to be changed.

Hope this helps.

Malc

macman

If you have gas CH and DHW, then it is unlikely (though not impossible) that E7 is the right tariff for your property. Decide this before you get the meter changed. If necessary, a single rate meter can replace the E7 PPM.

Starbrite

Wow just spent ages on phone to BG, all the previous tennats meter readings where estimates so can't give me an idea of what was used. they come in at 600kw per mth. Been informed that impossible to use so little.

BG best deal is online variable feb 2014 at 4.42p per unit but you get a 6% discount for it being online so comes in at 4.1p per unit

What is it with these companies and credit checks? the way they say "You will have to pass a Credit Check first" Kinda puts the fear of god into you even though I know my credit history is fine!

How do I become Gas and Elec independant?

macman

Like any other service offering you credit, a check is carried out.