Trying to figure out if switching gas & electric is worthwhile

Brie

So - I've got my bills and I've used the MSE cheap energy comparison tool and been told that I can save about £140 a year by switching from Bulb to People's. (never heard of them)

It looks though that my readings are way off the norm - and these are actual readings, not estimates. 

The switch tool notes that the average usage for electric in the UK is 2900 kwh and for gas it's 12,000 kwh.  Our electric is over 9,000 & our gas is a measly 2700. 

Our heating and hot water & stove top are gas but everything else is electric.  We did have a hot tub for a portion of the year (now sadly deflated...) and have an oldie who wants the electric fire turned up to 11 every single day - so obviously we're using more than is standard for our household.  And due to the pandemic I've been WFH so that's added to the power drain as well.

Does this all seem reasonable?  Just trying to do a sense check before I actually get to switching. 

I know that Bulb (& probably all the rest) will be increasing their prices but others have suggested that Bulb are expensive in any case.  That said there were very few comparisons that came up with anything less at all.  Should I be trying a different tool???

elsien

Did you do your own calculations on your usage from last year?
Are you looking at fixed or variable? 

I ignore the projected savings, and work out likely spends using the standing charge and unit rate and playing around with usage to allow for colder winters (for example.) 

Robin9

Brie said:

The switch tool notes that the average usage for electric in the UK is 2900 kwh and for gas it's 12,000 kwh.  Our electric is over 9,000 & our gas is a measly 2700. 

Ignore that  - it's for a gas heated semi -  and most gas heated semis don't have electrically heated hot tubs.  It's you actual consumptions that matter  not some "average"

Do double check on your gas please -  give us the actual meter reads please (today and 12 months ago if you can) and look carefully for the letters m3 and cu ft  (whatever you do ignore any ref to kWh on your meter). 

QrizB

Robin9 said:

Brie said:

The switch tool notes that the average usage for electric in the UK is 2900 kwh and for gas it's 12,000 kwh.  Our electric is over 9,000 & our gas is a measly 2700.

Ignore that  - it's for a gas heated semi -  and most gas heated semis don't have electrically heated hot tubs.  It's you actual consumptions that matter  not some "average"

Just to confirm(!), I've got a 1950s gas-heated 3-bed semi and my consumption is pretty close to those figures. My electricity is a vbit lower due to my solar but without it I'd be within 10% or so on bith fuels.

[Deleted User]

The OP needs to check his/her calculations. When any comparison is made it is done on a rolling 12 month cost basis. The cost figure will be, with say one month to go to the end of the present fixed tariff, eleven months on standard tariff plus one month on present tariff. This leads to an inflated cost and the perception that there might be savings to be made.

Given that the wholesale price of gas has increased markedly over the last 12 months, it is unlikely that anyone can find a cheaper tariff than they are on now. Indeed, the Ofgem Cap has increased by over £200 in the past 12 months. A month ago, I was paying 2.85p/kWh for gas: I switched early at 3.19p/kWh and last week the tariff price rose to 3.79p/kWh. The high price of gas is reflected in increasing electricity prices given the amount of gas-generated electricity.

Gerry1

Brie said:

Our heating and hot water & stove top are gas but everything else is electric...  and have an oldie who wants the electric fire turned up to 11 every single day.

Sounds like your heating isn't all gas !  An electric fire represents the most expensive type of heating that it's possible to have.  Make sure the immersion heaters are permanently switched off.

Bigphil1474

OP, I have gas boiler for heating/water and oven hobs - everything else is electric. My typical usage is 2,600Kwh for electric and 12,500 Kwh for gas, pretty much in line with typical usage. Electric has been a bit higher in last 12 months but only by about 400Kwh.
Your electric use is way too high and electric is more expensive per Kwh as well. Ditch the electric heater and use your central heating. If the oldie is still cold, get them a blanket. 

Brie

Deleted_User said:

Is it definitely 2700 kWh for gas, and not 2700 m3? (The latter would equate to c. 30,000 kWh.)

Or even cubic feet?

is it possible that the meter is in m3 and bulb is assuming kwh?

Brie

Bigphil1474 said:

Your electric use is way too high and electric is more expensive per Kwh as well. Ditch the electric heater and use your central heating. If the oldie is still cold, get them a blanket. 

If we have the central heating going enough to do without the electric heater I would not be able to breathe.  MiL has the heater going on days when the temperature outside is heating 30c. And that's when she's wearing a jumper and has a blanket on her.

Maybe we need to get her a more efficient heater.  Possibly one with a timer or thermostat so that it's not on constantly.

Brie

Robin9 said:

Do double check on your gas please -  give us the actual meter reads please (today and 12 months ago if you can) and look carefully for the letters m3 and cu ft  (whatever you do ignore any ref to kWh on your meter). 

These are the reading I'm using - 12 months as of 9 August 2020 & 2021 actual from my bills.
Electric 37069 - 27952 = 9117
Gas 10666 - 7955 = 2711

kwh for both as nothing showing as far as I'm aware in any other measure.

Neil_Jones

Brie said:

Maybe we need to get her a more efficient heater.  Possibly one with a timer or thermostat so that it's not on constantly.

All electric heaters are 100% efficient, there's nothing to improve.  You might do better to invest in thicker blanket(s) for the MiL.