FTB no idea who to go with or what tariff

lee111s

Hi!

I'm in the process of purchasing my first home where I will be living on my own to start off with, probably getting a lodger in a few months.

It's a 3 bed semi built in 2009. The old owners were/are with british gas. I have no idea what sort of tariff to go for (although I want dual fuel) having not owned a house before.

Do I start the switch after I move in or when I get my completion date following the exchange?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Wywth

lee111s wrote: »

Hi!

I'm in the process of purchasing my first home where I will be living on my own to start off with, probably getting a lodger in a few months.

It's a 3 bed semi built in 2009. The old owners were/are with british gas. I have no idea what sort of tariff to go for (although I want dual fuel) having not owned a house before.

Do I start the switch after I move in or when I get my completion date following the exchange?

Any advice would be much appreciated

You'll have to sign up with the existing supplier(s) on the day of completion.

Then you will be able to start a switch of supplier if you want.

macman

As above, you are a deemed contract from day one with the existing suppliers. Take meter readings and register for an account (without an ETC) with BG; you can then commence a switch, which will take 4-5 weeks.
Use a comp site with your estimated annual kWh figures to find the best tariff.

lee111s

Yeah I've read about using the existing suppliers for a few weeks.

The problem I have though is how can I estimate my estimated figures having only ever lived at home with my parents?

I understand that there's different types of tariff that have x amount of pence per kWh for the first Y amount of kWh and then a cheaper amount afterwards. I've not a clue which to go for or are they all much of a muchness?

macman

The UK averages for a 3 b/r house with gas CH and DHW are 3,400kWh for electricity and 16,500kWh for gas.
Your parents get bills though-presumably you've never looked at them? But you could check what their annual usage is to get an idea.
No, tariffs are not 'much of a muchness'-there's a big variation and many types of tariff-which is the purpose of using a comp site. Most of the sites can help you to estimate usage if you are still stuck.

lee111s

Excellent thanks

Been doing a bit more looking around and the online type seem to be the best way forward. Will do some more looking in 3 weeks time when I'm due to complete as tariffs may have changed by then.

Wywth

lee111s wrote: »

Yeah I've read about using the existing suppliers for a few weeks.

The problem I have though is how can I estimate my estimated figures having only ever lived at home with my parents?

I understand that there's different types of tariff that have x amount of pence per kWh for the first Y amount of kWh and then a cheaper amount afterwards. I've not a clue which to go for or are they all much of a muchness?

As you obviously don't have accurate anticipated annual consumption figures, and don't know how to estimate them, most comparison sites offer an option to help you.

lee111s

Think I'm going to go with Scottish Power. My cousin is with them and also lives alone in a similar sized house (mine has one extra bedroom) and his DD is only about £50 a month for both gas and electricity. I'll find out what plan he's on and go for that.

Thanks for all the advice.

Lovelyjoolz

I went with Swalec who are part of Southern Electric for both gas and electric. I chose them because they are the only British owned energy supplier left and wanted to know at least some of what I pay for my bills is paid to the state in corporation tax!!

I pay £115 per month for a 4 bed large detached bungalow.

Wywth

I went with EDF Energy - Blue +Price Promise April 2014.

I chose them as soon as Martin started banging the drum and telling us to compare and switch to a good fix rate as prices were predicted to rise
I followed this MSE advice at the time:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

I'm so glad I did, because although this tariff is no longer available to new applicants, it now beats every supplier & tariff on price for any generally available tariff today ... and it remains fixed for another winter :beer:

I'm not sure how this helps the OP though ... :cool:
(except follow the MSE advice given in that link )

macman

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

I went with Swalec who are part of Southern Electric for both gas and electric. I chose them because they are the only British owned energy supplier left and wanted to know at least some of what I pay for my bills is paid to the state in corporation tax!!

I pay £115 per month for a 4 bed large detached bungalow.

I think BG and Centrica might dispute that...
All the Big Six are registered in the UK and pay corporation tax here, regardless of where the holding companies are based.