Bulb/White meter Economy 7

Retired_at_55

If anyone is with Bulb you might be able to answer a question for me, please.

I am looking at a smaller flat with White Meter/Economy7 tariff Day/night rates. In my present flat (Gas and Electricity) I was thinking of moving to a better rate at Bulb flexible because I may be moving to a smaller flat. There would be no exit fee with Bulb.

Can anyone give a rough idea or opinion about Bulb for all electric? I know it will be more expensive than gas/electricity but I am not sure how big a jump it would be in my monthly fuel bill. The all electric flat might be ideal although I am accustomed to cheaper gas/electricity dual fuel rates. The Council Tax is cheaper in the all electric flat so I would be able to save a bit there.

Any experiences would be great - it is a small one bedrooned flat, thanks - I am interested in it but just a bit unsure about the heating. There is no gas in the building.

Retired at 55

Kid_Icarus

Bulb do have a smart tariff which provides different rates at different times of the day. This could save you money if you have night storage heating and electric water heating that can be controlled by the Economy 7 meter or via a timer.

The times and rates for this tariff for my region are (be aware that the tariff varies slightly per region - check the bulb website for the exact pricing for your region):

Electricity standing charge: 20.44p per day
Peak rate (4pm > 7pm) 30.78pence per kWh
Off peak rate (7am > 4pm and then 7pm > 11pm) 12.18pence per kWh
Night rate (11pm > 7am) 8.2pence per kWh

So as you can see, the peak rate is v expensive, however if you can shift your usage to 7pm (cook meals later, don’t run energy intensive appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers etc - ideally run these overnight) and your storage heaters charge up overnight then this tariff may save you money.

Edited to add - you will need to have a smart meter installed to use this tariff however.

Gerry1

The question shouldn't be about the trifling amount you'll save by avoiding exit fees, it's why you're even considering an all-electric flat in the first place ! Unless it really is a case of There Is No Alternative, it seems a very poor idea.

A kWh of peak time electricity typically costs nearly five times as much as a kWh of gas, about 15p instead of 3p. So any peak time heating will cost an arm and leg. OK, you can use night storage heaters (only three times as expensive) but they come with a raft of problems.

Firstly, you have to be a weather forecaster: get it wrong and you're shivering or sweating, and wasting money either way by having to plug in a fan heater or open the windows. Secondly, they will also be running out of steam in the evening when they're needed most.

There's also the problem that in a power cut you can't even put a kettle on for a cup of tea, and in a prolonged outage you can't turn on the hob or oven to get some warmth. And if you are unwise enough to have a smart meter, power cuts (aka load shedding) will start to become a way of life. That won't make your all-electric flat attractive to future buyers !

[/rant]

Gerry1

Kid_Icarus wrote: »

if you can shift your usage to 7pm (cook meals later, don’t run energy intensive appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers etc - ideally run these overnight)

That'll really make you top of the pops with all your neighbouring flats, especially when your unattended washing machine floods the kitchen or the tumble drier catches fire...

Retired_at_55

Thanks very much for posts # 2, 3 and 4. The information, Kid_icarus, is exactly what I was hoping for as, with no personal experience of how these systems work, your information is a great help.

You have given me a bit of a reality check, Gerry1. So much to consider and, thankfully, I have time in hand before making a decision.

I am giong to print these replies out to put in my 'potential house move folder' as I have just set up this wee folder.

It may be quite a while but, once (or even 'if') 'things' start moving, I'll definitely post back. I really do think I need to move before I'm much older.

When my present fixed tariff runs out I think I'll move to Bulb variable gas/electricity until I know if I am staying here a bit longer or moving to the smaller flat, as above, or something different. I don't have a smart meter but expect, in time, it will become essential.

It is so good being able to benefit forom your replies and, again, I thank you very much.

Retired at 55

ecclebrick

Don't be put off by all electric flats, gas is being banned from future homes due to the environment, so it will probably get the same name as deisel, which we were all encouraged to use.

I moved to a newly built flat which has the latest high level insulation, and even in winter without heating on it has not dropped below 17c, £43 per month covers heating and water, so if you can get a modern built one it's cheap to run, yes we could have power cuts, but you need power to drive gas systems.

Admittedly we have a service charge for the building, but we are warm and cosy, which is a big need in retirement ...

Retired_at_55

ecclebrick wrote: »

Don't be put off by all electric flats, gas is being banned from future homes due to the environment, so it will probably get the same name as deisel, which we were all encouraged to use.

I moved to a newly built flat which has the latest high level insulation, and even in winter without heating on it has not dropped below 17c, £43 per month covers heating and water, so if you can get a modern built one it's cheap to run, yes we could have power cuts, but you need power to drive gas systems.

Admittedly we have a service charge for the building, but we are warm and cosy, which is a big need in retirement ...

Thanks ecclebrick - that is very reassuring and I appreciate your reply.

Retired at 55

Gerry1

ecclebrick wrote: »

Don't be put off by all electric flats, gas is being banned from future homes due to the environment, so it will probably get the same name as diesel, which we were all encouraged to use.

Philip Hammond's proposal refers to the banning of gas boilers: gas supplies and gas hobs would still be allowed. But given that Hammond is likely to be a back bencher this Wednesday, his Boiler Ban looks likely to go the same way as the Garden Bridge !

It's much more likely that the existing gas network will deliver up to 20% hydrogen, with no changes required to customers' equipment: trials are in progress. Conversion to 100% hydrogen could follow in much the same way as the country was converted from town gas to natural gas.

ecclebrick wrote: »

yes we could have power cuts, but you need power to drive gas systems.

True, but in a power cut you can still use a gas cooker for a cuppa, a hot meal and for kettles of hot water. And as the boiler controls and pump have relatively modest power requirements, it would even be feasible to use an Uninterruptable Power Supply to keep the gas central heating operational.

Even in a new build I'd be nervous about putting all my eggs in one basket: a Winter of Discontent can never be ruled out. But in the end it's all down to personal preferences.