Help! Just moved into a rented property and not sure what to do.

Remeniss

Hi all,

I have just moved into a rented flat and found an economy 7 meter. Everything that I have read online suggests that it is only worth having an economy 7 tariff if you have storage heaters. I can’t work out what sort of heaters we have and what sort of tariff would be good for us. It seems that most energy providers now will let you use your economy 7 meter on a normal tariff. I have attached some pictures of the heaters and I am hoping that someone can help me work out what they are (as google hasn’t helped me!) and give some advice on what sort of energy tariff I should look for. The flat has no gas and the water tank is heated by 2 immersion heaters. We are currently with spark energy on their standard tariff (just what was setup for us, we are looking to move)

Thank you for any help/advice!

JJ_Egan

First read meters then register with the existing supplier as you are in a deemed contract with them .

You are then free to move .

Gerry1

Sadly, you've made a big mistake going somewhere that's all electric. You have 750W heaters with no storage, so you'll mostly be using peak rate electricity which costs a fortune.  For hot water, leave the On Peak immersion heater always off.  It's there for use only if you've messed up and the water has gone cold during the day; it gives you half a tank in an emergency.  Leave the Off Peak immersion switch always on so that it heats up at the cheaper rate overnight and gives you a full tank to last all day.

Does the tank have any insulation?  If not, consider buying a jacket for it.  As you don't have storage heaters the lack of insulation may not be quite so bad if it takes the chill off the flat, but that may not be much comfort if you're out all day and the water gets cool by the evening and has to be topped up at full price.

Letting agents love Spark because they probably get commission - at your expense.  Avro or Yorkshire Energy might be a good choice (I found them both good), Symbio and Neon Reef are cheap but customer service may be 'interesting' and the CEC doesn't list them despite all its claims to show the whole market.  Try the Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?' comparison sites and then see whether you can get cashback somewhere else with your preferred supplier.

E7 may or may not be cheaper than single rate.  Many suppliers will just add the two rates together, but some comparison websites will look up your meter details and only quote E7; try Runpath and say you don't have E7.  Make sure you're on a credit tariff, not prepayment.

You need to keep a close watch on your consumption by reading the meters frequently; start with at least weekly readings.  If you select a variable tariff or one with no exit fees then you may be able to get a better deal when you know your consumption more accurately.

Make sure you know the cheap rate times; look at the meter and see when it switches over.  The tumble dryer and everything else will be cheaper when it's off peak.  Make sure that it's the meter that controls the off peak supply to the immersion heater, not a motorised timeswitch that may be out of kilter because of power cuts.

Think about moving to a property with gas !

slimbuck

Remeniss said:

Hi all,

I have just moved into a rented flat and found an economy 7 meter. Everything that I have read online suggests that it is only worth having an economy 7 tariff if you have storage heaters. ...

I would urge you to read a lot more as most of the very limited info you have read appears incorrect.

Btw, the heater you have is an atlantic convector heater.
Ain't google wonderful?

Robin9

As the immersion has two elements - the off peak immersion should be ON (as per photo) and the on peak OFF (as per photo) Only switch the on peak one on if you run out of water,

You are  not correct  in that storage heaters are essential to make E7 worthwhile . In addition to your immersion other things like fridges and freezers are running. If you are an early riser then your electric shower will be on as well - watch out for the shower as if you use it during on peak hours it will be expensive.


Have you got any meter readings from when you moved in and now ? If so you can work out how