Short term switch to determine usage before committing to fixed term

jeriatrix

Is it possible to switch to a new fuel provider for a short period while we determine what our usage actually is, rather than tie ourselves into a fixed rate which may over-estimate our actual usage? To set the scene:
My wife and I live in a small, two bedroomed bungalow. We have gas-fired central heating (minimal use because we have two open fires) and hot water heating. Our current gas usage is within the norm for the size of property.
However, our electricity bill is massive - combined dual fuel projected cost would be £1790!!- we have been with Eon WarmFront (for the over 60s) for many years, and the cost kept increasing (this scheme is now ending, hence the post).
We are very, very stingy with the electricity - only have small lights on in the room we are in, don't use tumble dryer, have A rated washing machine and fridge freezer. All the bulbs are low wattage leds.
I am about to use an electricity monitoring device to determine what is eating up the electricity - we have started thinking that maybe the electricity meter has been faulty all this time, and will try and get this checked out.
Any advice or helpful suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you

MegaMiniMouse

jeriatrix wrote: »

Is it possible to switch to a new fuel provider for a short period while we determine what our usage actually is, rather than tie ourselves into a fixed rate which may over-estimate our actual usage? To set the scene:
My wife and I live in a small, two bedroomed bungalow. We have gas-fired central heating (minimal use because we have two open fires) and hot water heating. Our current gas usage is within the norm for the size of property.
However, our electricity bill is massive - combined dual fuel projected cost would be £1790!!- we have been with Eon WarmFront (for the over 60s) for many years, and the cost kept increasing (this scheme is now ending, hence the post).
We are very, very stingy with the electricity - only have small lights on in the room we are in, don't use tumble dryer, have A rated washing machine and fridge freezer. All the bulbs are low wattage leds.
I am about to use an electricity monitoring device to determine what is eating up the electricity - we have started thinking that maybe the electricity meter has been faulty all this time, and will try and get this checked out.
Any advice or helpful suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you

If your meter is faulty, then it is hard to see how switching supplier will make any difference. I am sure that there are many people on here who can tell you how to get your meter checked, but I suspect that your first port of call should be your current energy supplier.

cklass

Just to clarify: a fixed rate tariff fixes the standing charges and unit rates applied to energy usage. It does not fix your bills - your bills are always calculated according to what your meters are suggesting your usage has been over the billing period whether it is a fixed rate tariff or not.

If your meter is faulty and you pay by monthly direct debit, you are likely paying more than you need to in order to cover your higher bills, but once the fault has been corrected, your provider will be able to recalculate your monthly payments in accordance with your real usage. Your potentially faulty electricity meter therefore does not need to be factored into which tariff you decide to switch to.

Cheap Energy Club can help you determine what the best tariffs are at the moment: https://cheapenergyclub.moneysavingexpert.com/

Nada666

As suggested, your figures do not agree with your statements. What is your usage of gas and electricity in kWhs? You have a 'normal' bill for gas but a high one for electricity despite low use - that does not add up to £1790.

If your electricity is high you will find each fuel with a separate supplier will likely be cheaper.

There is no need to wait to receive a monitor - the electricity meter you have is enough to determine if anything is amiss. Use it to check what is happening.