New Flat all electric...help me!

Rikkka

Hi guys,

next week I'm going to move in this flat, 2 bedroom all electric. I'm a bit worried about this. How much could the electricity bill be? We are two.

What about the other bills? There is a chance to find better offers between the different companies?

Sorry if it sounds 'stupid' but it's my first time, in my previous flat everything was included so I didn't have to think about this.

What do you suggest?

Thank you very much.

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, it will be expensive without gas.

Register with the existing supplier the day you move in, and give a meter reading (two if it's Economy 7) and take photos.  Switch immediately if it's Spark.

Send a water meter reading as well.

What type of heating does it have?

tacpot12

Make sure you take a meter reading when you move in.
Check the meter reading after a week to see how much energy you have used, and work out what this will cost you if multiplied by 52.
Make sure you understand how the heating and hot water work and make sure the heating is switched off all the time at present. You might need to search for the model numbers of the heaters on the internet to find out if they are Storage Heaters. Storage heaters heat up overnight, when electricity can be purchased more cheaply (if you have the right tariff) and release the heat during the day. This is okay if you work at home, but if you are out at work in the day, you will not benefit from the system working this way.
Check that the hot water heater has a thermostat and a timer.  This sort of boost timer allows you to turn on the hot water heater for as long as you need it, without then having to remember to turn it off: 
https://www.timeguard.com/products/time/immersion-and-general-purpose-timeswitches/electronic-boost-timer
If you are renting, your property should really come with some sort of manual to tell you how to operate the heating and hot water controls. If it doesn't ask the agent or landlord for advice.

Rikkka

Thank you for answering.

Approximately how much do you think is gonna be?

What do you mean for type of heating?

Petriix

Ignore the above post. Your annual usage will be vastly more than a week in August x 52. Your best hope is that you have storage heaters and economy 7 or possibly a good amount of insulation, flats above and below and a number of good thick jumpers. Electric heating is expensive so try to use it as sparingly as possible.

Gerry1

The annual consumption will be much more than 52 times the consumption during one hot week in August !

Rikkka

tacpot12 said:

Make sure you take a meter reading when you move in.
Check the meter reading after a week to see how much energy you have used, and work out what this will cost you if multiplied by 52.
Make sure you understand how the heating and hot water work and make sure the heating is switched off all the time at present. You might need to search for the model numbers of the heaters on the internet to find out if they are Storage Heaters. Storage heaters heat up overnight, when electricity can be purchased more cheaply (if you have the right tariff) and release the heat during the day. This is okay if you work at home, but if you are out at work in the day, you will not benefit from the system working this way.
Check that the hot water heater has a thermostat and a timer.  This sort of boost timer allows you to turn on the hot water heater for as long as you need it, without then having to remember to turn it off:
If you are renting, your property should really come with some sort of manual to tell you how to operate the heating and hot water controls. If it doesn't ask the agent or landlord for advice.

Thank you. Yes I'm gonna do like this. I'll also ask the agent for advice.

Thank you very much.

Rikkka

Ok thank you again for answering.

We are talking about 100 pound per month or much more?

tacpot12

Sorry, I didn't continue my thought about multiplying 1 weeks usage by 52. I meant to say that if this calculation shows you will struggle to afford to run the flat now then you might have a faulty meter, as the usage over the winter will be much greater. Others have spotted my error and drawn your attention to it. Apologies. 

Gerry1

You need to think in terms of annual kWh usage and cost because the '£XX per month' DD figure can be highly misleading: it's merely a kitty that may or may not be sufficient to cover the bills.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/#whatyoupay

Robin9

Rikkka said:

Ok thank you again for answering.

We are talking about 100 pound per month or much more?

Depends - perhaps £90 or so if storage rads ;  lot more if panel heaters ; even more if magic dust heaters.

Learn how to use whatever heating you do have.

And don't forget those monthly readings/keep your own records !