First-time home owners need help on energy tariffs!

RP.._2

Hello!


I am a first time house-owner, how do I find the most competitive electricity and gas rates, if I have no idea how much the bills would typically be? Comparison websites seem to ask who the existing provider is and how much previous bills are but I have no starting point?


I have contacted our providers (EDF) who have put me on a standard tariff...


Any help is much appreciated

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

The UK average consumption (assuming gas central heating) is 3200 KWh electricity and 13500 KWh gas. Use that as a guideline, it's impossible to tell what you'll consume.

Standard tariff has the advantage of not having any cancellation fees, but it's usually far from competitive.

webnise

Probably you can check 'I don't know' option when asked about the usage. Once you have the quote, compare the 'per unit price' and 'standing order' as it is essentially what you will pay for your usage.

Companies usually change your DD amounts during the course of your first year depending on your usage so bear this thing in mind.

matelodave

As a first time owner you've got the ideal opportunity to get it right and stay on top of your bills Both energy and water (if you've got a water meter as well).

As Bluebirdman says, use the national averages of 3200kwh for leccy and 13500kwh for gas in a couple of comparison sites to get some idea of what you might be paying and make sure your direct debit is at least that.

Make sure you read your meter regularly (at least every month) and keep a record of the readings and send them to your supplier. Check your bills against meter readings and make sure that any discrepancies are notified to the energy company immediately.

Make sure that your direct debit is covering your consumption.

During the summer you should start to accrue some credit for when the winter comes and you use more energy - don't be tempted to try and reduce your DDs until you've got a whole years worth of consumption data or at least until about April when most of winter is over and you can see what you've used.

It's everso nice to get a reduction in your DD just before Xmas if it looks like you've got some credit but a nasty shock in April when you find you are several hundred short and they want it back. Just look at the tales of woe on other threads and make sure that you don't end up in the same situation