Electricity supplier - choices...

pa_broon74

This is confusing...

I've just moved in to a house, no gas supply just electricity. I have a 'related' supply which I assume is for the white meter heating installed (I know...) OVO (who I thought I've go with because they're new) have said I'd need to pay a 27p standing charge per supply although I've read, the usage costs may be lower.

I get how white meter heating works (sort of) but surely paying a standing charge (given there are two supplies) is a daft?

I have no frame of reference with no old bills to check for usage. I don't use the oven although the toaster does get regular exercise, the storage heaters will be turned off completely for at least five months... Probably going to get a log burner fitted for the winter...

I was trying to be ethical by not going with one of the big companies, but there are so many permutations with this and with no starting point - any one have any experience? Its an old house, I'm out during the day at work but its freezing sitting in in the evenings.

A standing charge doesn't, on the surface, seem to make sense with two supplies -one of which will be off for 5 or 6 months of the year...

Yikes... I have no idea.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

footyguy

pa_broon74 wrote: »

This is confusing...

I've just moved in to a house, no gas supply just electricity. I have a 'related' supply which I assume is for the white meter heating installed (I know...) OVO (who I thought I've go with because they're new) have said I'd need to pay a 27p standing charge per supply although I've read, the usage costs may be lower.

I get how white meter heating works (sort of) but surely paying a standing charge (given there are two supplies) is a daft?

I have no frame of reference with no old bills to check for usage. I don't use the oven although the toaster does get regular exercise, the storage heaters will be turned off completely for at least five months... Probably going to get a log burner fitted for the winter...

I was trying to be ethical by not going with one of the big companies, but there are so many permutations with this and with no starting point - any one have any experience? Its an old house, I'm out during the day at work but its freezing sitting in in the evenings.

A standing charge doesn't, on the surface, seem to make sense with two supplies -one of which will be off for 5 or 6 months of the year...

Yikes... I have no idea.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Whenever anyone moves into a property, they have no initial choice of supplier - they have to accept the current supplier to the property.

Your situation is further complicated by the fact it appears you have an old set-up, which involves multi-rate supply provided via two MPANs. Most suppliers do not support this type of set-up (although some may not tell you that, or even realise themselves initially). The only supplier that is obligated to support such a legacy tariff, is the original supplier for that supply region (or whoever took them over).

Do not attempt to change supplier with the current set-up as it invariably will end in tears.

pa_broon74

How can I find out who the original supplier was, the landlord doesn't know and the previous tenant is long gone.

I've had a hunt about for old mail but there was a four month gap between the previous lot moving out and me moving in.

I don't suppose there is a cheeky website into which I can input my MPAN numbers? I suppose I could just ask OVO but it seems impolite.

;-)

footyguy

pa_broon74 wrote: »

How can I find out who the original supplier was, the landlord doesn't know and the previous tenant is long gone.

I've had a hunt about for old mail but there was a four month gap between the previous lot moving out and me moving in.

I don't suppose there is a cheeky website into which I can input my MPAN numbers? I suppose I could just ask OVO but it seems impolite.

;-)

I'd be surprised the landlord does not know who the supplier is, not only because it has hopefully never been changed, but if the previous tenant is long-gone then the landlord should have put the supply in his name until your TA started.

Anyway, the original/legacy supplier will depend on the supply region.

This map indicates by region who the legacy suppliers are
https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/for-your-home/check-our-prices/your-regional-supplier

Lets hope they still do supply the property, but they will be able to confirm if you contact them.

pa_broon74

All sorted out now.

Thanks for the pointers.