New Home - Energy choices

krafty87

I am about to move into my first home and I'm trying to find out how to choose my energy providor and tarriff for electric only. I know that the home has an electric meter. I'm trying to input my data into comparison sites but I obviously don't know my annual usage and so I don't know whether I should choose a 1 year fixed tarriff because that could mean I'm overpaying for a whole year or a variable tarriff. What are my best options?

footyguy

krafty87 wrote: »

I am about to move into my first home and I'm trying to find out how to choose my energy providor and tarriff for electric only. I know that the home has an electric meter. I'm trying to input my data into comparison sites but I obviously don't know my annual usage and so I don't know whether I should choose a 1 year fixed tarriff because that could mean I'm overpaying for a whole year or a variable tarriff. What are my best options?

Welcome to MSE :hello:

Start here
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity
but only after you have registered with the existing supplier(s)

If you actually go to most (any?) comparison site, you'll see you don't actually need to know your anticipated annual consumption, but you'll get better results if you do.

matelodave

A fixed tariff means that the price per kwh will remain the same during the contract period, not that you can use all you want in that period. You only pay for what you use, so a cheaper price per kwh and/or daily charge will cost you less than a tariiff that has a higher cost per kwh and/or daily charge

A variable tariff means that prices can go up or down - usually up not often down. You still only pay for what you use.

Have you only got leccy or have you got gas as well, how do you heat your place. If it's leccy only then what sort of heaters are they and do you know if you've got an off peak meter (E7 or E10). Where do you live (town/county not actual address) as that can also have a bearing on your costs as well

In the end it's a guess on how much you'll use, yours or the energy companies. Give us some more info and I'm sure someone will be able to help you.