Tariff/supplier switch but keep timer/times

danrv

Gerry1 said:

danrv said:

Gerry1 said:

If you're using your convectors then single rate is likely to be better.  If you're using your warm air storage system then E7 is likely to be better, ditto if you get NSHs.  

It’ll be the warm air heater for a while then hopefully NSH’s together with convectors.

That won't end well, unless it's strictly limited use of convectors in the bedrooms, preferably during off peak hours.  Using convectors regularly during the day when you have NSHs would be madness because they'd be using daytime E7 electricity, which is even more expensive than the single rate.

The important thing is to make sure that your NSHs are not under dimensioned, and then there will be no need to top up in the afternoon or evening.  If in doubt, go for the larger size.

It is limited use in bedrooms. 
Ideally storage heaters throughout but then again there’s advice against using them in bedrooms.
People here have fitted them as such and have had problems with unwanted heat/noise.
General vibe here seems to be that it’s not a good idea to put storage heaters in bedrooms.
It comes down to individual requirements, occupants and lifestyle I suppose.

Large family, maybe a good idea with bedrooms occupied a lot of the time.
I think the only reason I’d consider installing them throughout would be for EPC rating
and maybe property value.
It’s just myself so I reckon convectors for bedrooms and hopefully the heat from downstairs will help.

Gerry1

Agreed, storage heaters probably not best for bedrooms unless they'd otherwise freeze.  Could also be too warm overnight unless they're high heat retention.

Phones4Chris

danrv said:................

With my current system, I know that it’s mostly off peak use this time of year - about 90/10 split.
The rest of the year, most usage will be heating water for an hour each day and occasional washing machine, dishwasher, shower usage. 
I guess contacting the new supplier would be an idea as my heating is not actually E7.

I’m just about done with all this and need to sort something quickly. Surely an E7 rate with much lower prices and a DD plan will be better? 
Then see how it goes when I update heating.

Don't forget, that's with your current "off-peak hours", a change of tariff will likely affect that quite dramatically, don't forget to take it into account.
You can always change tariff/suppliers again when you've updated your heating (provided you don't tie yourself into some silly contract).

danrv

Phones4Chris said:

danrv said:................

With my current system, I know that it’s mostly off peak use this time of year - about 90/10 split.
The rest of the year, most usage will be heating water for an hour each day and occasional washing machine, dishwasher, shower usage. 
I guess contacting the new supplier would be an idea as my heating is not actually E7.

I’m just about done with all this and need to sort something quickly. Surely an E7 rate with much lower prices and a DD plan will be better? 
Then see how it goes when I update heating.

Don't forget, that's with your current "off-peak hours", a change of tariff will likely affect that quite dramatically, don't forget to take it into account.
You can always change tariff/suppliers again when you've updated your heating (provided you don't tie yourself into some silly contract).

Thanks, good point.
So a change of tariff would mean that a new timer would be fitted?
A variable DD E7 tariff with Symbio is by far the cheapest at 13p for both rates. No exit fees but this isn’t via the USwitch assisted switch over.
You can put your usage into the Symbio site and get their tariff options.
Bulb via USwitch is an automatic change.

Gerry1

Read the Symbio thread.  Neon Reef may be better if you want a quiet life.  It's possible the new supplier may just reset your timeswitch or you may be expected to have a smart meter.

danrv

Gerry1 said:

Read the Symbio thread.  Neon Reef may be better if you want a quiet life.  It's possible the new supplier may just reset your timeswitch or you may be expected to have a smart meter.

Thanks. Have had a read, quite mixed opinions.
Neon Reef has similar unit prices for E7 at 13p a unit. Variable DD, £121.00 per month. Same for fixed but has exit fees.
Says I’d save around £160 a year compared to Eon. Not sure how much the monthly fee changes with variable DD.

Gerry1

danrv said:

Gerry1 said:

Read the Symbio thread.  Neon Reef may be better if you want a quiet life.  It's possible the new supplier may just reset your timeswitch or you may be expected to have a smart meter.

Not sure how much the monthly fee changes with variable DD.

Make sure you're not confusing the following.

• Variable Tariff
  The price per kWh and the daily charge can go up or down.  A good deal may not last, but there are no exit fees.
  

• Fixed Tariff
  The price per kWh and the daily change remain the same for 12 months or whatever is agreed.  Sometimes there's an exit fee if you leave leave more than 49 days before the end of the fixed period.
  

• Variable Direct Debit
  It's like a petrol pump.  You send in a meter reading and you are billed for the exact amount you have used.  Small bills in summer, big bills in winter.  As long as you send monthly readings you won't end up with bill shock, nor will you build up a large credit balance that can be a pain to reclaim if the supplier goes bust.  When I become Ofgem Director General I'll make it the default !
  

• Fixed Direct Debit
  You tell the supplier how much you expect to use in the next year, they do the sums and you pay 1/12th of the annual amount each month.  Some suppliers seem to increase it to boost their cash flow.   Confuses a lot of people because they think it's All You Can Eat and they get upset when they find the kitty didn't have enough in it to pay the bills: there's a double whammy when the DD is suddenly increased to reflect the higher usage and to claw back the arrears.  There's a wail every week here along the lines of 'Help !  Nasty Energy said my gas and electricity would cost only a fiver a month and now they've put it up to £200 !'.
  

Neon Reef have been interesting.  I've been with them for a year on Aqua One (variable tariff) and they've never increased their prices.  However, the tariff is not available to new customers, although they still seem to be very competitive.  So far, so very good.  However, there are some strange things going on with some Utility Point customers being moved over to NR.

danrv

Gerry1 said:

danrv said:

Gerry1 said:

Read the Symbio thread.  Neon Reef may be better if you want a quiet life.  It's possible the new supplier may just reset your timeswitch or you may be expected to have a smart meter.

Not sure how much the monthly fee changes with variable DD.

Make sure you're not confusing the following.

• Variable Tariff
  The price per kWh and the daily change can go up or down.  A good deal may not last, but there are no exit fees.
  

• Fixed Tariff
  The price per kWh and the daily change remain the same for 12 months or whatever is agreed.  Sometimes there's an exit fee if you leave leave more than 49 days before the end of the fixed period.
  

• Variable Direct Debit
  It's like a petrol pump.  You send in a meter reading and you are billed for the exact amount you have used.  Small bills in summer, big bills in winter.  As long as you send monthly readings you won't end up with bill shock, nor will you build up a large credit balance that can be a pain to reclaim if the supplier goes bust.  When I become Ofgem Director General I'll make it the default !
  

• Fixed Direct Debit
  You tell the supplier how much you expect to use in the next year, they do the sums and you pay 1/12th of the annual amount each month.  Some suppliers seem to increase it to boost their cash flow.   Confuses a lot of people because they think it's All You Can Eat and they get upset when they find the kitty didn't have enough in it to pay the bills: there's a double whammy when the DD is suddenly increased to reflect the higher usage and to claw back the arrears.  There's a wail every week here along the lines of 'Help !  Nasty Energy said my gas and electricity would cost only a fiver a month and now they've put it up to £200 !'.
  

Neon Reef have been interesting.  I've been with them for a year on Aqua One (variable tariff) and they've never increased their prices.  However, the tariff is not available to new customers, although they still seem to be very competitive.  So far, so very good.  However, there are some strange things going on with some Utility Point customers being moved over to NR.

That’s great, thanks.
Have never understood about the different plans. I pay quarterly on receipt of bill with Eon so I don’t have any credit/debit build up.
Probably not the best way as I do get a reminder that I could save with DD. 

Although Neon Reef don’t do E7, 13p is very near what I pay Eon for low rate. 
The warm air heater draws about 42kwh each day so 
heating costs around £5.44 daily.

Hopefully NR can just add my two rates together with no meter change or off peak/peak time adjustment.
It’s possible too that when I fit an E7 timer, Quantums and get the usual 12.00 - 7.00am times, the cheap peak rate all day would suit occasional convector heater use.

danrv

Thanks for help with this.
About using USwitch, just wondering if it would be a fuss free change over as advertised.
I suppose this option where it’s all done through USwitch works if your heating is established and you just need a supplier change.

danrv

Eon’s prices are going up from 1st April.
Going to be paying 14.443p low rate and 22.63p normal rate on E10. Standing charge 28.62p.
Better get a move on and fit the E7 Quantum heaters.