Insulating uninsulated flat

CashStrapped

As much as all these ideas help. The Op has not really got back to us as to the root cause of the problem i.e their annual kwh use, tariff cost etc.

Is the problem really the insulation? Struggling to get it warm etc.

Or is the problem the cost of the bills? Which the OP is assuming is due to insulation. Whereas the biggest reduction in cost can be the tariff and/or meter type.

It sounds like the OP has had substantial improvements to the insulation levels of the property. Despite their being a few areas that may not be fully insulated. With the exterior being insulated, it will be a lot better then most.

Furthermore, drying clothes on radiators is a big no no. Unless it is done in an isolated room with open window. Otherwise, especially at this time of year, in an older property you are liable to create damp and mould. Especially if insulation and air tightness (windows) have been improved.

AuronGrande

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

EWI has already been done, retrofit IWI boarding is about £50+/m² and the O/P does not own the property.

Thank you. I was going to repeat that I don't own the property. Fitting insulated boards is the Council job.

AuronGrande

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Hang clothes above the radiators, not on them. Most modern radiators have square tubes on them. These heat the room by convection. If you cover the radiators the heat won't get out.
If you dry clothes indoors a fan dries them quickly and is cheap to run. Open windows to let damp air escape.

Sorry. I should be more specific. I have multiple airers. 2 big airers standing in front of a radiator. 2 airers that hang off the radiator.

AuronGrande

Pincher wrote: »

Is the actual number of kWh used a secret?
Can we have it?

No, it's not a secret, unless I'm reading from my gas meter which is confusing.

I'll tell you what is on my most recent statements. My next statements are due in June.

Gas - 11,666kWh
Leccy - 1,911 kWh

AuronGrande

Eric_Disley wrote: »

This ("dry-lining") is extremely expensive. Not something you'd want (or be allowed?) to do in a rented property.

I had my house decorated. The decorator stripped off the wallpaper, applied a thermal liner to wall (Wallrock) and then wallpapered over the top of it. Although it's only a thin layer of insulation it's definitely made a difference - not as effective as dry-lining but a lot cheaper.

Good point. Never thought about that.

AuronGrande

CashStrapped wrote: »

As much as all these ideas help. The Op has not really got back to us as to the root cause of the problem i.e their annual kwh use, tariff cost etc.

Is the problem really the insulation? Struggling to get it warm etc.

Or is the problem the cost of the bills? Which the OP is assuming is due to insulation. Whereas the biggest reduction in cost can be the tariff and/or meter type.

It sounds like the OP has had substantial improvements to the insulation levels of the property. Despite their being a few areas that may not be fully insulated. With the exterior being insulated, it will be a lot better then most.

Furthermore, drying clothes on radiators is a big no no. Unless it is done in an isolated room with open window. Otherwise, especially at this time of year, in an older property you are liable to create damp and mould. Especially if insulation and air tightness (windows) have been improved.

Sorry. I tend to take a few days between logging on.
I've posted the kWh and will be attempting to compare.
You may be right in the costs, but I think that is only half the problem. A combination of minimal insulation with high gas costs.

AuronGrande

OK. Please don't go biting my head off.

I've just done a comparison again and managed to compare with all tariffs. Like I said before, they wouldn't let me compare PrePay with Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly etc. So I started as if I was on Monthly Direct Debit, but kept everything else the same.

If I switch to Monthly Payment I could potentially save £270 with "Economy Energy" on their "Direct Saver 2017 v3"

If I went with Gas and leccy seperately it would be as follows;
Leccy - Robin Hood Energy - £50 saving
Gas - Economy Energy - £250 saving

However, because I'm on benefits, I doubt they would let me switch from PrePay. I'll have to discuss with the CAB.

CashStrapped

No biting heads -

That is a good result. There are ways to get a credit meter if your credit is not good.

EDF is one company that does not do a credit check for swapping from prepay to a credit meter.

There is nothing to stop you from:

1) Switching to an EDF prepay tariff

2)Swapping to a credit meter with EDF (keeping on a tariff without exit fees). You must wait a short while before switching elsewhere so the new meter is properly registered.

3)Then (after a short wait, maybe a couple of weeks) swapping to the cheapest tariff you can find for your new meter.

4) If EDF actually have a good tariff, you may just want to stick with them. Some of the smaller companies are not the easiest to deal with so you may want to stick with one of the big 6 initially. This may be a good idea until you get used managing a direct debit and credit meter.

Just remember that with a credit meter and direct debit you need to keep a close eye on the account. Giving meter readings once a month (or once very quarter at least) is a must. This will ensure you keep the account up to date.

Also a direct debit is designed to build up a credit in summer and then use that surplus credit in winter. Do not be tempted to raid the account of credit, especially just before winter.

AuronGrande

Cheers. I believe I have all the information I need. I'll see about discussing with CAB.