Energy usage increasing drmatically next next month - dix or not (in general)

Pugster

Hi all

We are due our first baby in a few weeks. We live in a four bed detached house and have in the past only heated two of those bedrooms. With the new arrival imminent, this winter we will be heating at least another bedroom maybe all four. Plus running the washing machine a lot and I'm sure lots of other devices and appliances. I'm guessing maybe a 20% increase in energy use.

I've been trying to understand based on this increase if we should fix or not. Currently with Eon paying £2,344 a year, and the are suggesting we don't switch to fixed which would be £4,078 a year (an increase of 73%). Which according to MSE is borderline should fix. 

However, based on a big increase in usage, does this make it a no brainer to fix or not?

Thanks in advance,

pochase

Unfortunately the 75% is out of date again. Latest predictions from today

So you are looking at over 100% from January.

As advised several times today, take the fix NOW and start thinking once you have it. It might be gone VERY soon after todays predictions. 

Use the cool off period to rethink.

pochase

You did not mention the unit rates. Is it EON NEXT Online V18?

What are the unit rates compared to above table.

Pugster

Thanks for looking at this for us! It is the EON NEXT Online V18. Unit rate for electricity is 53.22p per kWh, daily standing charge of 43.39p and for gas it's 13.46p per kWh with daily standing charge of 27.22p. It feels safer to stick with Eon than trying to change supplier atm.

Alnat1

First off, congratulations!

Assuming "we" is a couple sharing a bedroom, why would you need to heat 4 bedrooms by having 1 baby? 

Seems 2 would be fine, in fact most newborns share their parents bedroom for at least the first few months.

Not sure what devices you might be considering adding that use a huge amount of electric. A baby monitor wouldn't be much. Hopefully mum will be feeding baby for some months, if possible, which saves a lot of bottle warming/cleaning. Bottles wash perfectly well in a dishwasher if rinsed after use, although I'm sure manufacturers of expensive gadgets will tell you different.

Babies don't need to be any warmer than adults, so if you're warm enough they will be too. If you need a jumper, add a layer to baby, if you need a blanket in the evenings, wrap baby in one too.

I agree, definitely will be more washing but babies clothes are fine to go in with yours. Make sure you only wash full loads, on Eco setting if your machine has it.

Don't panic, try not to stress, enjoy your newborn. Chilled parents have chilled babies, they pick up signals from you. Be sensible with energy and maybe look at ways to cut your general use rather than assuming it will go up.

Pugster

Alnat1 many thanks for your message and congratulations. We currently heat 2 bedrooms because 1 of them is actually my wife's dressing room and, although the nursery won't be used for the baby to sleep in for 6 months we plan to heat it so that we have somewhere to sit with the baby at night if she's crying/somewhere to change her etc as all her belongings are in there. The Mrs is also very determined to use reusable nappies hence we are expecting about 3 extra loads of washing a week with high water usage as you can't use eco settings for nappies. I think the main issue (alongside our potential increase in usage) is that we're right on the cusp of making switching worthwhile if we took the 70-75% increase into consideration.

pochase

Pugster said:

Thanks for looking at this for us! It is the EON NEXT Online V18. Unit rate for electricity is 53.22p per kWh, daily standing charge of 43.39p and for gas it's 13.46p per kWh with daily standing charge of 27.22p. It feels safer to stick with Eon than trying to change supplier atm.

Nobody knows how good the predications are, but I personally would take the fix now and think about it later as advised above.

Are you even sure it is still available? When did you check last?

spot1034

pochase said:

Pugster said:

Thanks for looking at this for us! It is the EON NEXT Online V18. Unit rate for electricity is 53.22p per kWh, daily standing charge of 43.39p and for gas it's 13.46p per kWh with daily standing charge of 27.22p. It feels safer to stick with Eon than trying to change supplier atm.

Nobody knows how good the predications are, but I personally would take the fix now and think about it later as advised above.

Are you even sure it is still available? When did you check last?

It's still the present version of the Next Online series, but as you say it could be replaced at any time.