gas and electricity v. electricity only

satori

Hello,
I am moving from a 1 bed flat to another.
The one I'm moving from is purpose built, but poorly insulated (would have an EPC of D if had new windows with double glazing, but actual windows 25 years old and let in draughts and even rain at times so I guess it's an E). Electricity only, double tariff (cheaper at night). There are 3 storage heaters but only 1 of them works, so I use a 'Dimplex' electric radiator alongside it. Cooker (induction plates, really good) and oven are electric and I use a slow cooker a lot during the night. I am only in from 8pm to 6am on weekdays. I have been saving electricity by taking showers elsewhere as there have been ongoing issues with the boiler throughout my tenancy.:mad: Current spend around £40pm (direct debit). I cook a lot and I like to keep warm.
The flat I'm moving to is better insulated (new windows with double glazing) but not purpose built (conversion of terraced house into several flats). It has an EPC of D. It has gas heating and a gas cooker and oven. The boiler for the shower is electric and I do plan to take showers there in the future:D.
I have been trying to figure out what my energy bills will be like and am befuddled: whether I use Ovo, Uswitch, or Gocompare, it always look like I'm going to spend more? I thought gas heating and cooking were supposed to be cheaper?
I have tried to find out what provider the current tenants are using, and how much they spend, but the letting agents haven't gone back to me yet.
Thanks for your hindsights.

HappyMJ

But you don't use the heating much so any comparison you make will look like it's much more expensive as they will use averages rather than actual figures.

£40 a month is very good...in fact it's excellent. My flat has an EPC rating of A and I spend more than you despite being on an excellent online managed, fixed rate, direct debit tariff.

Gas is cheaper than electricity (at least half and closer to a third of the price for the same heat) but you will have an extra 20p/day standing charge to pay which will add £6 a month to your monthly bills and you won't get anything for it.

If you were to move half of your energy usage assuming your standing charges are £6/month the usage being around £17 a month to gas you would save at least £5 but you will pay £6 more so yes it will cost more but it's only going to cost more because you use very little heating.

satori

Thank you very much HappyMJ. That makes sense.
With my current provider I can submit meter readings online to track whether I'm in credit or in debit (currently in debit due to the cold weather...). I hope I'll get the same in the new flat. Hope I will be able to stay with the same provider too: had a lot of issues with British Gas (I didn't have gas but the flat next door did and British Gas chased me for their unpaid bills in the most aggressive way) and NPower (had to file a complaint to get a refund when I moved out) in the past.

macman

You will be in a deemed contract with the current suppliers. Once you've registered with them you can commence a switch to any supplier you wish. Mains gas should be a little cheaper than E7, and much cheaper than your present set up, since you've been paradoxically using backup heating on peak day rate, rather than getting your broken cheap night rate storage heater fixed by the LL. The former will be costing you 300% more to run than the NSH.
You don't have a boiler, you have an immersion heater in your hot water tank.

satori

Thanks Macman. The letting agents were always adamant the storage heaters were working and I just didn't know how to use them (why would I be able to use one of the 3 then?). The 2 which are 'broken' do work as radiators, they just won't store heat at all. As to the immersion heater, same issue: the letting agents always claimed it was working fine. At least now that I'm moving out the landlady has agreed to replace it: I was feeling sorry for the next tenant!
I had to take a lot of days off each year for 'inspections' (to check the flat is clean) and quotes (for repairs which never materialise, sometimes the person who is supposed to be doing the quote doesn't even show up - as she has quotes done every year, I guess the workmen know the measurements of the flat by heart now!).
The landlady has been trying to sell it for ages, so I have 0 privacy and very little security: 2 months' notice isn't much when you work f/t and good luck finding a decent flat if you're only available for viewings on Saturday!
I don't particularly like the area I'm moving to, nor the flat, but at least it should be warmer during the winter months, and I will be able to take showers there: just been to the gym for that purpose, and they had swapped the gents' and the ladies' changing rooms. The gents' showers were open (no cubicles), and of course it was that time of the month. :eek: Fortunately all the other ladies politely looked away.
Looking forward to using a gas cooker and oven again too