Moving into a home with an economy meter

DPR87

Hi all,
I will be moving into a home which has an economy (7? i think) meter. There are no storage heaters nor would we be running the washing machine over night. 
I've never had any experience with these meters so unsure if an economy tariff would end up more expensive for me.
We are both FTB after living with parents so we don't really have a baseline usage to estimate from. 
Could anybody tell me if I'd need to have an economy tariff due to this meter or could I use a standard type tariff?
If it helps, there is no smart meter in the property and it has a combi boiler.
Many thanks

Gerry1

Assuming it's an Economy 7 meter, keep it, at least for the time being. There's very little to be gained by changing it: many suppliers will happily bill them at single rate, and it can sometimes be very slightly cheaper on E7 even without storage heaters.

Make sure you register with the existing supplier(s) as soon as you take possession, otherwise you'll be on a very expensive Deemed Contract.

If you're buying a tumble dryer, make sure it's gas.  About a quarter or a fifth of the running cost !

Richie-from-the-Boro

Combi wet radiators assumed: You will be on a default "deemed" expensive tariff as a new customer. You need to register as a new customer, and immediately get a better tariff and online account for a start. Then you can use the which-comparison sitefsite best suitable tariff. No previous use, use £1200 per annum guess.
Best of luck then ask more questions here.

Robin9

Read your meter regularly and keep your own records.
As there are no storage heaters - what is the heating? Is it panel heaters (hopefully not the magic dust type), underfloor or ……...……...…….  ?

DPR87

Gerry1 said:

Assuming it's an Economy 7 meter, keep it, at least for the time being. There's very little to be gained by changing it: many suppliers will happily bill them at single rate, and it can sometimes be very slightly cheaper on E7 even without storage heaters.

Make sure you register with the existing supplier(s) as soon as you take possession, otherwise you'll be on a very expensive Deemed Contract.

If you're buying a tumble dryer, make sure it's gas.  About a quarter or a fifth of the running cost !

No plans for a tumble dryer as of yet, but will defo look into the a gas one if the running cost is that low in comparison when we do! Many thanks

Richie-from-the-Boro said:

Combi wet radiators assumed: You will be on a default "deemed" expensive tariff as a new customer. You need to register as a new customer, and immediately get a better tariff and online account for a start. Then you can use the which-comparison sitefsite best suitable tariff. No previous use, use £1200 per annum guess.
Best of luck then ask more questions here.

Thanks Richie, I thought I would be on a default contract until I switched. Does this mean I can ask for a cheaper tariff and not be tied down to a contract length and still switch to another supplier?

Robin9 said:

Read your meter regularly and keep your own records.
As there are no storage heaters - what is the heating? Is it panel heaters (hopefully not the magic dust type), underfloor or ……...……...…….  ?

Currently there are just standard wet radiators in all the rooms and there is no underfloor heating. 

Gerry1

DPR87 said:

No plans for a tumble dryer as of yet, but will defo look into the a gas one if the running cost is that low in comparison when we do! Many thanks

AFAIK there's only one domestic model available, and it's online only.  Costs a bit more to buy and connect, but with gas at well under 3p/kWh and electricity probably over 12p/kWh it's a no-brainer.  My previous one (same brand) lasted 31 years and must have paid for itself several times over !

Also see this similar thread.

Talldave

My money saving solution is to use a clothes rack!

enjoli23

DPR87 said:

Hi all,
I will be moving into a home which has an economy (7? i think) meter. There are no storage heaters nor would we be running the washing machine over night. 
I've never had any experience with these meters so unsure if an economy tariff would end up more expensive for me.
We are both FTB after living with parents so we don't really have a baseline usage to estimate from. 
Could anybody tell me if I'd need to have an economy tariff due to this meter or could I use a standard type tariff?
If it helps, there is no smart meter in the property and it has a combi boiler.
Many thanks

You will need to call your supplier. They will tell you what tariffs they can offer you.
If you are capable of enjoying 7 hours of cheap electricity every day, but prefer not to, they will tell you what you need to do.

Once you have registered with the existing supplier, you will be free to switch supplier, so be careful of accepting any tariff with an early exit fee if you plan to do that soon.

Robin9

Gerry1 - question about the installation of a gas tumble dryer. 

Do they require venting  - like a gas boiler does

My electric - is against an internal wall and has a condensate bin as it cannot vent to the outside.

Gerry1

Robin9 said:

Gerry1 - question about the installation of a gas tumble dryer. 
Do they require venting  - like a gas boiler does
My electric - is against an internal wall and has a condensate bin as it cannot vent to the outside.

It comes with a 'Slinky' type of elephant's trunk flexible hose: the instructions say that it should be hung out of an open window or fitted to a wall / window vent connection.

"The tumble dryer shall be installed in a room or internal space having an openable window, or equivalent.  The customer must be advised that this must be kept open during use.  Purpose provided ventilation shall also be provided where the room volume is less that 3.7m3 / kW of appliance rated heat input.

"Additional guidance on the provision of air supply may be obtained from BS5440 parts 1 and 2 and BS7624:2004.  If the dryer is to be installed in a room or open space that already contains one or more fuel burning appliances, the ventilation requirements above, together with any additional requirements of BS5440-2:2009, 5,5 shall be applied.

"Accessory wall/window vent kit CL005 is available."

Robin9

Gerry1  - thanks for the info - not an option in my house.