Cheapest tariff/switching + Scottish Power

catoutthebag

D_M_E wrote: »

1. Your power will not be cut off - the supplier will just put you on their most expensive tariff.

2. Did you do the kettle test as advised by dogshome above in order to make sure the meter labelled with your flat number actually is yours?

3. Did you check, as suggested above, that the meter serial numbers match on the bill and the meter?

4. Given the usage you describe, your consumption should be more like around 1500Kwh for electric - the gas seems fine.

You need to check all the above before switching.

Hi I can't see a serial number on my online account.
I'll check the statement annual that I got by post later today.

Re kettle test, I'll do it tonight, I won't have anyone around to help. Can I do it on my own? Check meter, turn on Kettle, walk 3 seconds to check meter, turn off, re check meter? What am I looking for?
Is it conceivable them being low...doing stuff on my phone and not having tv, laptop, radio on? 3 washers a week, microwave once, router on all the time, new appliances, energy savings bulbs, living in my own?

catoutthebag

Hello everyone. Did the kettle test:j

My electric IS that low, told you :rotfl:

So with the average annually readings above

Gas 8189
Electric 596

Shall I do gas with zog
Electric wuth ebico?

What tarrif should I use with them? Do I call up to switch?

My Scottish Power ran out Wednesday, so no doubt I'm on a more expensive tarrif so I need to switch asap

System

Have you got PV solar by any chance? Your electricity consumption is massively below the average and needs to be treated with caution or you could find yourself with a large bill. You will use about 1.7kWhs in a single wash. If you don't have PV solar, then you may have a faulty meter. You need to check by turning something on like a 1kW fire for an hour and see if the meter increases by 1kWh.

Edit: I have just checked. We have an A+++ washing machine and freezer. Their projected consumption alone is 300kWhs. To calculate your electrical usage you need to look at two bills about a year apart. Use actual and not estimated readings.

As far as switching is concerned, time has passed and Zog is no longer the cheapest supplier on the market, You need to do your own comparison based on your postcode and usage.

FWIW, For my postcode, the cheapest dual fuel deal for for your usage is Scottish Power Jun 18. I haven't looked at separate suppliers.

glennevis

"My Scottish Power ran out Wednesday, so no doubt I'm on a more expensive tarrif so I need to switch asap"

OP don't panic, with your usage figures you are probably only paying around £3 a week more on standard tariff vs. a better tariff. So take a few days to check your options and digest the information from this thread.

By the way I use an android app called Voltz which has a simple user interface, to check which deals are the best. It's not perfect (I think some of the direct debit discounts may be wrong for example) but it is a good place to start.

catoutthebag

I don't have pv solar.

How do I know if my fire is 1kw?

I don't have a 'fire' only central heating radiators.

Any other way to check? People said do the kettle test and I did, so it's not faulty.

If I get a big bill it's not mg fault.

Sticker on metre says serviced in 97, not sure how accurate that is.

Online on Scottish power i can only Access those figures above Dec 15-nov 16

Online to add to the figures above

Gas 9.63 nov
Electric 1.65 nov

Gas
17/3/16 £57.17
3/8/16 £25.38

Electric
£11.67
£20.04

As I say I has to up my duel DD to £35 as I was on a lowest estimate so was getting into debt

I don't know what's going up:eek:

System

The kettle test will only confirm that you are looking at the correct meter for your supply. You need to turn something on for a good period of time to check that your meter is recording your usage properly. Try this:

Note the meter reading.
Fill your kettle with cold water.
Boil the kettle whilst timing how long it takes to boil.
Check the Wattage of your kettle (listed on the bottom of the kettle)
Calculate usage For example, I have a 2.3kW kettle. If it takes 5 minutes to boil, then it will have used 2.3/12 kWhs of electricity (approx 0.2kWhs)
Check your meter reading has increase by 0.2

The risk is that if your meter is faulty, and you don't report it, the supplier might back estimate your past usage. You might of course just be a very low user but not on 3 washes a week.

catoutthebag

Well, took 220 seconds to boil
My kettle says 2520-3000w so I guess 2.5-3kw
My metre reading increased by 0.2kw physically before and after
So seems accurate roughly speaking?

ChaunceyGardiner

I live alone and my annual electricity is only 800kWh, including running a fairly old fridge-freezer, a dehumidifier and not much else of consequence.

fredandwilma

catoutthebag wrote: »

Electric
Previous 12 months usage 595.32kwh

Gas
Previous 12 months usage 8189.04kwh

ChaunceyGardiner wrote: »

I live alone and my annual electricity is only 800kWh, including running a fairly old fridge-freezer, a dehumidifier and not much else of consequence.

Hi catoutofthebag. These usage figures are not too dissimilar to mine, if you're a low user. Yes, it's below the average (even a low user average) but not inconceivable. Mine have stayed consistently around similar figures, for years, although they have risen slightly.

You may find, when using some comparison sites or energy companies websites for a quote (i can't remember which, offhand,) they won't accept an input of readings under 1000 kwh per annum, for your electricity usage. You'll just have to input 1000 kwh per annum, (which is easiest,) and adjust your costs accordingly, (almost halve it,) but at least it's a guideline.

Hth f&w

catoutthebag

fredandwilma wrote: »

Hi catoutofthebag. These usage figures are not too dissimilar to mine, if you're a low user. Yes, it's below the average (even a low user average) but not inconceivable. Mine have stayed consistently around similar figures, for years, although they have risen slightly.

You may find, when using some comparison sites or energy companies websites for a quote (i can't remember which, offhand,) they won't accept an input of readings under 1000 kwh per annum, for your electricity usage. You'll just have to input 1000 kwh per annum, (which is easiest,) and adjust your costs accordingly, (almost halve it,) but at least it's a guideline.

Hth f&w

Hi I don't know if you were replying to myself or Chauncey.

What is your reading Fred?

But I guess I'm a low user.

Only thing constantly on is router and modern fridge freezer. Yep I do 2-3 washers a week, but it's an A++ washer.

I don't have tv, radio or laptop on much / very rarely. Use my smartphone .
Energy saving bulb's and everything is turned off at sockets.

I guess I'm lucky.

How do I switch