Is my Ovo energy really expensive? Or is my usage high?

macman

If it's an electric shower, it will be obvious, as it will have it's own dedicated radial circuit from the CU (hopefully marked with a helpful sticker that says 'shower'.) It should also have a dedicated RCD, if the main board does not.

Gerry1

greensalad said:

Helen28 said:

Is it just me but how can someone not know whether they have an electric shower or not?

After all it usually just has one water pipe for the water and the temperature is varied by adjusting the water flow rate.

Also if it is electric it should have an isolating switch and you can't have a shower if the electricity is off.

Whereas if the water is heated by gas from a combi or a hot water tank regardless if heated by gas or electricity(immersion) it has a mixer valve to regulate the water temperature and flow rate and 2 water pipes going ro it.

Is it really that crazy? I don't make a habit of turning my electricity off, and it's not like my first instinct during a power cut is "quick check the shower is working!" 

Anyone who doesn't want to waste money needs to know the basics of their property's energy supplies and heating arrangements, including:

• How the rooms and water are heated (which appliances and by which fuel);
• Whether any heating appliances need a multi rate supply such as E7;
• Whether the immersion heater and room heaters are on a 24/7 supply or a switched cheap rate supply;
• The electricity tariff name and whether it's multi-rate;
• The electricity price(s) per kWh and the standing charge;
• When any cheap rates apply;
• Whether the shower water is taken from the hot tank or heated instantaneously by electricity;
• The gas tariff name; and
  
• The gas cost(s) per kWh and the standing charge.

It's not as complicated as it may first appear, it's really no different to looking at the price labels before popping the champagne and caviar into you supermarket trolley.

The risk is that if you take the attitude that 'oh well, everything is what it is' then it may well be a case of 'oh well, the mega-bill is what it is'.

MalMonroe

greensalad said:

Helen28 said:

Is it just me but how can someone not know whether they have an electric shower or not?

After all it usually just has one water pipe for the water and the temperature is varied by adjusting the water flow rate.

Also if it is electric it should have an isolating switch and you can't have a shower if the electricity is off.

Whereas if the water is heated by gas from a combi or a hot water tank regardless if heated by gas or electricity(immersion) it has a mixer valve to regulate the water temperature and flow rate and 2 water pipes going ro it.

Is it really that crazy? I don't make a habit of turning my electricity off, and it's not like my first instinct during a power cut is "quick check the shower is working!" 

It IS a bit strange that someone doesn't know whether they have an electric shower or not. There's no need to turn the electricity off, and that's not what Helen28 means. You just turn your shower switch (which enables you to use the shower and is sometimes inside, sometimes outside the bathroom) on before use. Every single shower that's installed has one - so there's really no need for sarcasm. And then you turn it off when you've finished. Usually electric showers have the name of the manufacturer on the front, too. 

If a shower's water supply comes from the boiler, it's a totally different set up. And it isn't difficult to tell the difference.

MalMonroe

Helen28 said:

Is it just me but how can someone not know whether they have an electric shower or not?

After all it usually just has one water pipe for the water and the temperature is varied by adjusting the water flow rate.

Also if it is electric it should have an isolating switch and you can't have a shower if the electricity is off.

Whereas if the water is heated by gas from a combi or a hot water tank regardless if heated by gas or electricity(immersion) it has a mixer valve to regulate the water temperature and flow rate and 2 water pipes going ro it.

It's not just you, I thought the very same thing. 

UnclaimedEnergy

Utility point giving away £200 is a strong sign that they're struggling and need an influx of customers to provide them with extra cash. If you want to avoid joining an energy supplier on the brink of going bust then I'd strongly advise not to take up this offer and instead look for a cheaper deal elsewhere.

The cheapest tariff on the market for Dual Fuel customers is currently around £840
The cheapest Utility Point tariff is currently around £980

Carrot007

MalMonroe said:

It IS a bit strange that someone doesn't know whether they have an electric shower or not. There's no need to turn the electricity off, and that's not what Helen28 means. You just turn your shower switch (which enables you to use the shower and is sometimes inside, sometimes outside the bathroom) on before use. Every single shower that's installed has one - so there's really no need for sarcasm. And then you turn it off when you've finished. Usually electric showers have the name of the manufacturer on the front, too. 

If a shower's water supply comes from the boiler, it's a totally different set up. And it isn't difficult to tell the difference.

No it is very strange. if they do not know then they have not got one.

An electric shower looks like an electric shower. Has a power light a pull switch to isolate (or a switch outside the room as I did in my last house). Has power setting 1 or 2, 2 make it "dribble" water but is usually required ;-)

We can safely assume people who don't know have never seen one ;-) (or just not that interested in such thing, which is a shame really, these things are important if you want to save money).

bristolleedsfan

UnclaimedEnergy said:

Utility point giving away £200

Utility Point are currently only offering £100 to existing customer who refers someone, anyone signing up and switches via friend link does not get anything from Utility Point bar a more expensive tariff than can get with Utility Point if fully search a comparison site, that cheaper Tariff does not show when get a quote via U.P website.

Helen28

If, like me, you have a combi boiler, you never run out of hot water for your shower,
 so not running out of  hot water does not show whether or not the shower is electric.