Help choosing electricity provider

TheGardener

Elderly friends moved into a flat in a converted mill. The heating is all electric. Part of the flat is over a vehicle access archway and its become clear that in winter, this makes the floors very cold. They are having to have the heating on a lot as they are over 80 y.o and with some health issues and are now worried sick the bill will be astronomical so I'm trying to help.

They are on BG standard tariff with what we think are wall mounted oil filled heaters - definitely not storage heaters and no Economy 7 meter as far as I can see. We don't have any past bills to give us an idea (moved in September) so we are in the dark a bit about how to find a cheaper supplier - any ideas?

System

Ask the supplier for the historic data known as the Estimated Annual Consumption (EAC) for the property. The Data Collectors have historic data going back 70 years. This will give you a starting point for a comparison. Get them onto lowest fixed price tariff. I wouldn't worry about exit fees.

I would run comparisons on the EAC and EAC plus 5000. The best fixed deal might vary. I would choose the one with the lowest kWh price.

TheGardener

Thanks Hengus, I never knew you could do that! - The oil filled radiators - any idea how they compare in running costs to other forms of electric heater? The ones they have look at least 10 years old.

footyguy

TheGardener wrote: »

Elderly friends moved into a flat in a converted mill. The heating is all electric. Part of the flat is over a vehicle access archway and its become clear that in winter, this makes the floors very cold. They are having to have the heating on a lot as they are over 80 y.o and with some health issues and are now worried sick the bill will be astronomical so I'm trying to help.

They are on BG standard tariff with what we think are wall mounted oil filled heaters - definitely not storage heaters and no Economy 7 meter as far as I can see. We don't have any past bills to give us an idea (moved in September) so we are in the dark a bit about how to find a cheaper supplier - any ideas?

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

TheGardener

thanks footguy - I know about switching but without past bills to go on and the type of heaters being a bit of an unknown I was looking for info on where to start.

System

This might help:

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/room-heaters

Electric heating, irrespective of the type of heater, is 100% efficient; but, sadly, kWh for kWh it is 3 to 4 times more expensive than gas (depending the tariff and boiler efficiency). The best that you can do is to get them on to the cheapest tariff. Unfortunately, the cost of electricity is increasing at a much greater rate than gas due to numerous factors ranging from paying for peak demand standby power to the cost of oil post the BREXIT decision. I would look for a 2 year fix. Post again when you have had a look at a comparison site, and people will be happy to advise.

footyguy

TheGardener wrote: »

thanks footguy - I know about switching but without past bills to go on and the type of heaters being a bit of an unknown I was looking for info on where to start.

Most, if not all, of the comparison sites listed will assist you in estimating your anticipated usage if you do not have the actual figures

Whilst not as accurate, it is better than nothing. If you use this method, keep a close eye on actual usage (e.g. by monthly reads) and if you find you can later be more accurate with consumption, consult a comparison site again using the more accurate figure (or amend your data in the CEC accordingly) - don't forget to consider possible eraly exit fees you may have agreed to at this point.