Economy 7 , looking for Cheapest rates

Tennisgirl2000

Looking to switch users 

Currently with Bulb, paying around 166 a month. On an Economy 7 Meter  ( Rental 3-bed Detached house ) 

This seems so high, and not even close to the estimated tariff when I signed up with them. I was quoted 54 a month! 

Struggling with the comparison sites, it's all so confusing. 

The cheap energy club says The Utility Warehouse is the cheapest at 156 a month. 

Should I be looking at a fixed or variable tariff, would this bring the monthly cost down? What are the Cheapest night rates? As I am happy to run the washing machine overnight and also have the hot water come on during the night. It's currently on for 3 hours a day. 

The usage seems really high to me, as I don't believe we use that much electricity. Would getting an electrician out to see what appliances are using the most electricity be worthwhile? 

I haven't rented in the UK in over 3 years, so feel very out of the loop when looking for cheaper electricity. Australian Prices are much more reasonable. 

Thanks so much in advance. 


Last months usage 

Energy (2) 262.9 kWh @ 17.8350 p/kWh £ 46.89

 Energy (1) 587.4 kWh @ 17.8350 p/kWh £ 104.76

 Standing charge 30 days @ 22.4750 p/day £ 6.74 Cost of electricity used £ 158.39 VAT @ 5% £ 7.92 

Robin9

You need 12 months actual consumption then you can determine the % night time use


WOW what a fantastically high tariff 

QrizB

Two Three things jump out immediately:

1. That's an expensive tariff;
2. Even though you have an E7 meter, you're on a single-rate tariff.
3. You're quite a high user, 850kWh in a month in summer. your winter bills could easily be double that.
   

Running more things at night won't help unless you switch to a dual-rate tariff.

Hot water could be 9kWh per day, 270kWh per month, assuming the tank is big enough to take 3kW for the full 3 hours. I assume you've turned the heating off?

You can probably save 3 or 4p/kWh by switching. How long are you planning to rent that house for? If you're only staying for a few months, variable tariffs might be a good choice but if you're staying for a year or two you will probably be better off with a fix.

Tennisgirl2000

Robin9 said:

You need 12 months actual consumption then you can determine the % night time use


WOW what a fantastically high tariff 

Yes, it is a high Tariff! It was actually the cheapest when I used a comparison site back in April. 

Do you have any suggestions for a lower tariff... as I don't trust the comparison sites anymore. 

Robin9

You need to do your sums first -  look back about 12  months and find a bill where the meter readings have the letter A for  ACTUAL

Read your meter NOW

There's no reason not to trust the comparison sites but they nee accurate info.

yelias

Tennisgirl2000 said:

Looking to switch users 

Currently with Bulb, paying around 166 a month. On an Economy 7 Meter  ( Rental 3-bed Detached house ) 

This seems so high, and not even close to the estimated tariff when I signed up with them. I was quoted 54 a month! 

Struggling with the comparison sites, it's all so confusing. 

The cheap energy club says The Utility Warehouse is the cheapest at 156 a month. 

Should I be looking at a fixed or variable tariff, would this bring the monthly cost down? What are the Cheapest night rates? As I am happy to run the washing machine overnight and also have the hot water come on during the night. It's currently on for 3 hours a day. 

The usage seems really high to me, as I don't believe we use that much electricity. Would getting an electrician out to see what appliances are using the most electricity be worthwhile? 

I haven't rented in the UK in over 3 years, so feel very out of the loop when looking for cheaper electricity. Australian Prices are much more reasonable. 

Thanks so much in advance. 


Last months usage 

Energy (2) 262.9 kWh @ 17.8350 p/kWh £ 46.89

 Energy (1) 587.4 kWh @ 17.8350 p/kWh £ 104.76

 Standing charge 30 days @ 22.4750 p/day £ 6.74 Cost of electricity used £ 158.39 VAT @ 5% £ 7.92 

Welcome to MSE @Tennisgirl2000

What are you finding so confusing about about comparison sites?

Please ensure you remove all filters from the CEC (you are warned when you log in thet you have filters set) to ensure you see the whole of market, including variable and fixed rate tariffs in cost order.

There are certainly cheaper deals shown by the CEC if you do this.

For more information on comparing costs, please read:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cheap-gas-and-electricity/

Tennisgirl2000

QrizB said:

Two Three things jump out immediately:

1. That's an expensive tariff;
2. Even though you have an E7 meter, you're on a single-rate tariff.
3. You're quite a high user, 850kWh in a month in summer. your winter bills could easily be double that.
   

Running more things at night won't help unless you switch to a dual-rate tariff.

Hot water could be 9kWh per day, 270kWh per month, assuming the tank is big enough to take 3kW for the full 3 hours. I assume you've turned the heating off?

You can probably save 3 or 4p/kWh by switching. How long are you planning to rent that house for? If you're only staying for a few months, variable tariffs might be a good choice but if you're staying for a year or two you will probably be better off with a fix.

I don't understand how so much electricity is being used. 

Yes, heating is off 
Hot water is 3 hours a day. 
No TV
No lights being used in the summer months 
No dishwasher, no dryer 

The washing machine does run once or twice a day! 

My issues are that Bulb came up cheapest when  I used a comparison site. So I feel like I can't trust what comes up in the searches now! 

I can't even afford these bills, let alone double in the winter 

Renting for another 10 months. I will not stay in this rental after the year is up. 

Tennisgirl2000

Robin9 said:

You need to do your sums first -  look back about 12  months and find a bill where the meter readings have the letter A for  ACTUAL

Read your meter NOW

There's no reason not to trust the comparison sites but they nee accurate info.

I have just moved in, been in the rental for 2 months. I only have the last 2 months' bills to go off. 

Robin9

OK then  - plan B.   How many storage radiators do you have - please don't tell me that you have panel heaters .

Robin9

and are these your meter readings (or are they Estimated) - hopefully you read your meter when you moved in. Did you then contact Bulb or was there a supplier before Bulb ?

QrizB

Tennisgirl2000 said:

QrizB said:

Two Three things jump out immediately:

1. That's an expensive tariff;
2. Even though you have an E7 meter, you're on a single-rate tariff.
3. You're quite a high user, 850kWh in a month in summer. your winter bills could easily be double that.
   

Running more things at night won't help unless you switch to a dual-rate tariff.

Hot water could be 9kWh per day, 270kWh per month, assuming the tank is big enough to take 3kW for the full 3 hours. I assume you've turned the heating off?

You can probably save 3 or 4p/kWh by switching. How long are you planning to rent that house for? If you're only staying for a few months, variable tariffs might be a good choice but if you're staying for a year or two you will probably be better off with a fix.

I don't understand how so much electricity is being used. 

Yes, heating is off 
Hot water is 3 hours a day. 
No TV
No lights being used in the summer months 
No dishwasher, no dryer 

The washing machine does run once or twice a day! 

My issues are that Bulb came up cheapest when  I used a comparison site. So I feel like I can't trust what comes up in the searches now! 

I can't even afford these bills, let alone double in the winter 

Renting for another 10 months. I will not stay in this rental after the year is up. 

OK, stick your details into one of these two sites and see what you get:

• https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk/
• https://switch.which.co.uk/

Try 12000kWh/yr if you don't know how much you will use; it's a big enough number that you'll get reasonably accurate results.

Using my own address I get offered eg. an Ecotricity tariff of 15.5p peak / 9.5p off-peak / 34ppd standing charge. With those rates your last month's bill would have been £126 not £158. 5 mins work could save you £32/month, not a bad rate of return.

Working out where all your power is going will take a bit more work.