Moving into new 1 bed flat - need energy help

xirokx

Hi there

I'm in the process of moving into a small 1 bed flat

I joined the energy club to look at electricity and gas deals. I have a chronic illness and on chemotherapy for it.

So I am eligible for the winter warm discount as I'm on universal credit, housing benefit and low capability work related assessment.

I saw Bulb was getting big shout outs on here but then after calling them three times last week and waiting for 45+ mins a time then being greeted by someone with poor knowledge I'm not convinced. Sure they're cheap though.

I need a supplier who will give me warm winter discount plus have a good CS team and who are competitive in price.

Any ideas were I can look? Up till now all my bills were included in my rent but that is now changing and I'm lost.

Pure planet do not offer warm winter discount and I heard Ovo CS team are not so good.

What would you recommend I do? I don't know what my annual usage I'll be , there will be two of us staying in the flat. I cook 28 out of 30 days, shower once or twice a day and use the washing machine 3 times a week.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks so much in advance

hareng

Hope alls well for you.
What makes it hard is you have no usage to work off and using energy providers estimated savings often works out more.
Full list of winter warm providers but its not end of the world those unlisted may well be £140 per year cheaper any way.

https://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/warm-home-discount/#step3

xirokx

Thanks for the link and absolutely agreed about my lack of Usage stats being an issue.

I wish there was some way I could work out who would be best for me to go to even if for 2-3mths then I can switch once I have some stats

I was so set on bulb and as I said above their CS is far from great , 45-55mins to answer a phone call.

Short of calling each company I don't know what else to try ...

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Robin9

xirokx wrote: »

......................................

Short of calling each company I don't know what else to try ...

Any suggestions would be appreciated

What do you want to call them for ?

This Forums CEC gives comments on the various suppliers. Just because they answer the phone quickly doesn't make the CS good (or vice versa) Some rely on apps only. If the systems are good, your read the meter and understand the bills you shouldn't need to contact CS. I've never contacted mine - Flow and Zog.

Richie-from-the-Boro

CAC calculated annual consumption is already available with your existing supplier. Yes you are already on a 'deemed contract' that contract WILL be their most expensive contract.

There are two types of WHD (1) core is pre-triggered to your registered supplier if you are eligible by the DWP and (2) broader is a 1st come 1st served lottery by your supplier.

Photograph the counters on you meter - evidence !

I suggest you "talk sweet" and get and write your average consumption down, then get their best tariff and discounts for you needs. Then research and switch as you decide best.

Robin9

xirokx - moving into a property new to you can be a little bit of a guess.

History of consumption of the previous occupier doesn't always help - you don't know how warm they liked to be, how much they were at home ...............


....................... big differences between a Victorian conversion and a 2019 new build .............

I suspect as a result of your chemo you may well be at home and needing to keep warm.



As a first stab use 2000 kwh for elec and 8000 kwh for gas. Winter approaches and you will soon get a good idea of your actual needs .. read those meters and keep your own records.

Talldave

As Richie stated above you'll have a supplier the day you move in and you must contact them immediately to set up an account and provide opening readings (take photos).

Only when that's done can you think about switching. Use Robin9's suggested figures in some search engines to see what comes up. I've used Ovo before and found them very helpful at sorting out a meter issue - but they're a lot bigger now. Yorkshire Energy are great for electricity with good CS but not sure about WHD. Zog are a great gas supplier- I've found their email responses good but again not sure about WHD.

hareng

Xirock, just noticed something on OutFoxtheMarket "To register for the Priority Services Register, please contact us and we'll be sure to talk you through the process."
Obviously this will have a strong bearing as you would be eligable.

Richie-from-the-Boro

xirokx

Do yo have a DS1500 form. If you do you can immediately be fast-tracked and paid at the highest rate of everything.

Gerry1

If you don't already know the existing supplier(s), find out, register, send opening meter readings PDQ and opt for their standard tariff (or a fixed tariff with no exit fees). That gets you off the expensive deemed tariff and buys you a breathing space to find a better tariff with WHD. Don't forget you will need to register for Priority Services with each company.

xirokx

There are two types of WHD (1) core is pre-triggered to your registered supplier if you are eligible by the DWP and (2) broader is a 1st come 1st served lottery by your supplier.

Photograph the counters on you meter - evidence !

I suggest you "talk sweet" and get and write your average consumption down, then get their best tariff and discounts for you needs. Then research and switch as you decide best.

Thanks for the good advice

I suspect as a result of your chemo you may well be at home and needing to keep warm.

Yes most definitely

As a first stab use 2000 kwh for elec and 8000 kwh for gas. Winter approaches and you will soon get a good idea of your actual needs .. read those meters and keep your own records

Is that stab , per month guesstimates?

Only when that's done can you think about switching. Use Robin9's suggested figures in some search engines to see what comes up. I've used Ovo before and found them very helpful at sorting out a meter issue - but they're a lot bigger now. Yorkshire Energy are great for electricity with good CS but not sure about WHD. Zog are a great gas supplier- I've found their email responses good but again not sure about WHD.

Good advice thanks

Xirock, just noticed something on OutFoxtheMarket "To register for the Priority Services Register, please contact us and we'll be sure to talk you through the process."
Obviously this will have a strong bearing as you would be eligable.
Yesterday 9:32 AM

Thanks will check it out asap

Do yo have a DS1500 form. If you do you can immediately be fast-tracked and paid at the highest rate of everything.

No but I'll check it out asap

If you don't already know the existing supplier(s), find out, register, send opening meter readings PDQ and opt for their standard tariff (or a fixed tariff with no exit fees). That gets you off the expensive deemed tariff and buys you a breathing space to find a better tariff with WHD. Don't forget you will need to register for Priority Services with each company.

Will do this first thing in the morning, just moved in on Thurs and it's really overwhelming, just got the cooker connected today and washing machine.

With poor health not as quick as I used to be have to do things in stages and around resting.

Thanks so much really appreciate the guidance