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Sorting gas & elec for the first time...

moromir
moromir Posts: 1,854 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 19 December 2012 at 2:46PM in Energy
Despite having moved properties a few times, this is the first time I will personally be organising gas and elec.

I have a 2 bed end of terrace victorian house. Currently there is no central heating (but a gas meter is installed as there is a gas fire) but I will be having this put in shortly.

I will be the sole occupier for now but may take a lodger in a few months.

All the comparison sites need usage figures which I don't have, I bought where the previous occupier died suddenly (owner was her daughter) so I don't want to be bothering her for previous useage and it wouldn't be of much use anyway being only a gas fire.

Re cooking there is an electric cooker but this would be swapped for a gas hob and electric cooker when I upgrade the kitchen within the next year.

I see EDF blue being mentioned a lot, and I like the idea of being with British Gas.

Where on earth do I start? /frazzled

Edit: I also like the idea of being at a fixed price.

Comments

  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    moromir wrote: »
    Despite having moved properties a few times, this is the first time I will personally be organising gas and elec.

    I have a 2 bed end of terrace victorian house. Currently there is no central heating (but a gas meter is installed as there is a gas fire) but I will be having this put in shortly.

    I will be the sole occupier for now but may take a lodger in a few months.

    All the comparison sites need usage figures which I don't have, I bought where the previous occupier died suddenly (owner was her daughter) so I don't want to be bothering her for previous useage and it wouldn't be of much use anyway being only a gas fire.

    Re cooking there is an electric cooker but this would be swapped for a gas hob and electric cooker when I upgrade the kitchen within the next year.

    I see EDF blue being mentioned a lot, and I like the idea of being with British Gas.

    Where on earth do I start? /frazzled

    Edit: I also like the idea of being at a fixed price.

    Which comparison site are you trying to use?

    Most, if not all, of the ones MSE suggest in their article have an option, if you do not know your anticipated annual usage, to let the comparison site estimate the usage.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 December 2012 at 3:58PM
    Simply use estimated/average kWh figures on the comp sites.
    Then pick a fixed tariff from there. It is not a fixed bill price: only the unit price is fixed.
    But bear in mind that you are already in a deemed contract with the existing suppliers, so you must register with them and submit opening readings before you can commence a switch.
    Curious as to why you 'like the idea of being with BG'?
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • moromir
    moromir Posts: 1,854 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    macman wrote:
    Curious as to why you 'like the idea of being with BG'?

    I've had cause to deal with them quite a bit through my job and they seem to get the job done/cause less grief than most other suppliers I've had the misfortune of dealing with.
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