Getting my energy bill DOWN

DavidP24

I am on a very low income (less than half JSA) and am strugging with energy costs.

I would like some clarification on energy switching

1. Are there ANY suppliers who do not have a standing charge?

2. Are there ANY suppliers that give Dual fuel credit for people who only have electricity (which is effectively dual fuel as you use double).

3. Who has the best economy7 tariff?

4. I have a bad credit record so who will take me on.

For now I have turned off all the heaters and hot water (I have an electic shower and use the kettle to do washing up). Reading my meter I have cut night usage by 87% and daytime Electricity by 27% but I am still on course for a bill of £150 per quarter, but I need to get it lower.

I created a spreadsheet showing me the costs not just for my predicted energy but for the energy usage of the property for the last 3 years (reading got from energy company).

It shows me that there is a BREAKLOSS point where it may be cheaper to stay put, in other words if I use a lot of electricity it is better not to switch.

This is because the new providers do not charge on economy7 they have two rates, a first X units and a thereafter rate.

The first X rate is around 900 units, the lowest usage for my property in the last three years is 852 night units and 197 day units. The first X rate is around 11p to 12p a unit

As the majority of my normal usage would be night time usage at around 6.9p a unit), it is only cheaper under certain conditions.

I would like to be able to use hot water and have the storage heaters on at night but as the non economy7 usage is nearly twice the price for at least another 2000 units I simply can't afford it.

Currently day usage is around 14p a unit, I save around 2p a unit on daytime electricity if I switch but my nightvtime electricity would cost me 5p a unit more if I switch.

As it is I work from home and my computer does use a lot of electricity, there is only so much I can do. I have got it down by turning the brightness of the display to the lowest setting and set eco settings on the PC. If I had the money it would be cheaper to get a new PC with LED display and a CPU that does not use so much power, but payback would take years.

Next I am looking at the Fridge, I have switched to doing clothes washes at 5am to use cheapest rate.

My problem is that none of these companies reward you for low usage and based on my usage I need a provider that offers a better Economy 7 tariff.

I was wondering if it is possible to get on a commercial tariff as I gather they sometimes charge as low as 5p a unit regardless of usage.

I also want to get rid of this standing charge, I am sure I heard someone say that certain providers were abolishing this. It is outrageous that we have to pay £24 even if we do not use a single unit.

I think that considering we know that the energy companies are making an extra £100 per household, this standing charge should be scrapped by OFGEN and the companies should be forced to reduce their prices, all we see is rise rise rise, despite the fluctuations in wholesale prices which the EU is now investigating.

As far as I am concerned OFGEN is not fit for purpose.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

dogshome

Ebico can be good news for Low Users
Their Kwh rates are high, but they don't have a standing charge, pop your Annual Day/Night Kwh numbers into a couple of Switch sites

Nada666

DavidP24 wrote: »

I also want to get rid of this standing charge, I am sure I heard someone say that certain providers were abolishing this. It is outrageous that we have to pay £24 even if we do not use a single unit.

£2 per month is pretty low for a standing charge. Or, as I suspect, are you saying someone is charging you £24 per month for electricity only?

(And the someone you heard has it the wrong way round - standing charges are being reintroduced not abolished.)

rogerblack

DavidP24 wrote: »

As far as I am concerned OFGEN is not fit for purpose.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Unfortunately, standing charge is going to be a reality of the future, for most providers due to the recent decisions, and oddly it seems in the cases I've looked at to end up a little bit more than the existing rate (first unit rate minus second unit rate times units charged at first unit rate)

Elbico - or contacting your MP (which will do nothing in the short term, though may raise the issue in his mind next time it comes around) are the only real options for many.
Go to a switching site, and compare.
If you own your own property, and have a roof suitable for solar, you may want to consider 'rent-a-roof' solar installers, that will save a little on electrictiy.

Are you sure you are claiming all the benefits you may be entitled to?
Pop over to the benefits and tax credits board.

I strongly recommend an electric blanket, and an electricty meter similar to http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Power-Meter-Energy-Monitor-Esocket-Plug-in-KWH-Watt-Electricity-Meter-UK-/220940130975?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item33710eda9f