Gas and Electricity - Working out best deal is new larger property

guardbadger

Hi,

Were just about to move into a larger property. I want to get the best gas and electricity deal, but all the comparison websites want your current usage (which I have, and can use). But im expecting that our bills will change due to new appliances, and a larger house costing more to heat. Does it matter? Should I just go with the cheapest on my current usage?

thanks

matelodave

Do a comparison with your present consumption and the try one or two with increased consumption figures, say 25% & 50%.

You might find that you'll get a different result if you increase consumption as variations in the standing charges & unit rates from the different suppliers will affect the bill depending on the number of units being consumed

Wywth

guardbadger wrote: »

Hi,

Were just about to move into a larger property. I want to get the best gas and electricity deal, but all the comparison websites want your current usage (which I have, and can use). But im expecting that our bills will change due to new appliances, and a larger house costing more to heat. Does it matter? Should I just go with the cheapest on my current usage?

thanks

Most comparison sites (certainly the ones MSE advise you use) allow you to compare costs even if you don't know your anticipated annual usage in kWh

It won't be as accurate, and results may well vary between comparison sites (as they will estaimate a diiferent anticipated annual consumption) ... but it's the best you can do without knowing the data yourself.

Remember, you can't switch supplier until you have a supplier ... and at the new address, you don't. So don't forget to register with the existing supplier(s) at the new address on completion day/first day of your TA. You supplier may be able to advise you on anticipated annual usage (e.g. based on previous usage at that address) ... but again it'll just be an estimate of what you will use.

If it's a rental property, enquiring about anticipated fuel usage is one thing I would always ask of the existing tenants when initially viewing the property.

guardbadger

Thanks all for the replies, I hadn't actually realised I had to take over the existing bills that were in place. I thought I could just start over with new utility companies.

Which actually means I'll probably do that and see how a few months usage figures work out.

DragonQ

guardbadger wrote: »

Thanks all for the replies, I hadn't actually realised I had to take over the existing bills that were in place. I thought I could just start over with new utility companies.

Which actually means I'll probably do that and see how a few months usage figures work out.

Yeah, don't worry about taking a couple of months to find out usage - you'll recoup any losses from having a poor tariff with cashback offers. You could make sure you're getting the best deal to start with though, such as making sure you're paying by monthly direct debit and doing online billing if those things offer discounts, etc. Just make sure you don't tie yourself in.

Also, you're moving at the perfect time because you can see what your "summer" (i.e. heating off) and "winter" (i.e. heating on) usage is, then extrapolate from there assuming a certain number of "winter" months.

oldskoo1

Very hard to compare but here are our numbers

We moved from a 16 year old, typical 4 bed detached into a 8 year old 5 bed 3 storey.

On paper the 5 bed was slightly more energy efficient. In reality it has slightly better double glazing (bigger air gap, better seals) and it has insulating (celcon) block dividing the rooms instead of stud walls. It also has a closed hot water system vs vented of the old one. But the old house has no celcon block but does have cavity wall insulation (new one doesnt surprisingly). New house also has TRV's and is south facing but dont think that orientation counts for much.


So numbers

new house has
27% more radiators
17% bigger boiler (measured in gas input).
10% more efficient boiler (79% vs 69% of old house)
25% bigger hot water tank

actual increase in gas to heat the extra radiators and hot water tank has been 16%.

Both houses within 10 miles so climate still similar and same heating hours and usage. So you can see despite have a much bigger water tank and more radiators and a bigger boiler the extra efficiency of the new boiler and slightly more efficient construction and HW tank has helped reduce the increased cost.

I think 20% increase is a safe target.

This example is just to give you an idea comparing last winter with the previous winter. It isn't really a measured test so its best to be more pessimistic about these things.

JOE_STOTTS

guardbadger wrote: »

Hi,

Were just about to move into a larger property. I want to get the best gas and electricity deal, but all the comparison websites want your current usage (which I have, and can use). But im expecting that our bills will change due to new appliances, and a larger house costing more to heat. Does it matter? Should I just go with the cheapest on my current usage?

thanks

Do a quote via USWITCH or Money saving expert then hit TOPCASHBACK DOT COM!

I switched to Scottish Power last week when they were offering £105 cash back!

They are currently giving £84 cashback at the moment until 16thSeptember!

guardbadger

Thanks all for your detailed and helpful advice!