All electric flat - heating situation

Veteransaver

For a small well insulated flat then although electric convectors can seem expensive to run when it's cold, the can still be cost effective when you factor in the cost of putting storage heaters in (long payback) or servicing / standing charge of having a gas boiler.
You could consider an off peak tariff, and maybe use that to heat hot water overnight or provide a quick boost in early morning cheap rate to warm the flat up.
Octopus and tomato energy have decent off peak tariffs, where the day rate isn't really much different to standard day rate with other supplier.

Ildhund

Again I'd mention schemes like Economy 9 or 10. These have typically four or five offpeak hours overnight, enough to heat up a hot water tank and go a long way to charging up any NSH that happen to be in place. Then they both have a couple of 2-3 hour offpeak slots in the afternoon and evening when it would be possible to top up what normally charges overnight and run some direct space heating at a less eye-watering cost. This only makes sense, though, if heating and hot water form a substantial part of overall electricity consumption, because the peak rate will be higher than otherwise. The calculations vary from region to region and supplier to supplier, but 50% of all electricity consumption being used for heating isn't unusual and could help to discover whether a tariff like this would be worth looking at. .   

char115

Veteransaver said:

For a small well insulated flat then although electric convectors can seem expensive to run when it's cold, the can still be cost effective when you factor in the cost of putting storage heaters in (long payback) or servicing / standing charge of having a gas boiler.
You could consider an off peak tariff, and maybe use that to heat hot water overnight or provide a quick boost in early morning cheap rate to warm the flat up.
Octopus and tomato energy have decent off peak tariffs, where the day rate isn't really much different to standard day rate with other supplier.

I have a similar problem.  I moved into a new build council property, downsizing from a 2 bed to a 1 bed.  The flat I am in now is all electric.  I have calculated how much my electric is by having paper and pen near the meter.  I added £20.00 on the 31/01/24.  Checked just now 06/01/24 and I have £1.73 left.  So that is £19.00 in 6 days.  I do worry about how I am going to cope when I finally retire from work, what can I do though, it is unlikely that I would be able to move.

Scot_39

1) Current costs

Dont panic - winter bill isnt likely average annual spend - easily twice - more if a big heater

£19 is 6 days - £3/day - is sadly is not a high amount for any property in winter - if including HW and heating.

And for those used to the costs of gas heating - electric pricing can come as a real shock (excuse the pun).

Currently single rate electric is about four times the cost of gas - per kWh - maybe 3x when factor in the lower efficiency of gas heating and cooking on stoves etc.

Even on a decent e7 deal you might pay around twice gas price - for the 7 hours - but you pay an even higher premium for the other 17 hours (maybe 5 times).

2) Costs for what you use

So check your tariff and your heating type.

Is it on economy 7 or other legacy twin rate deal - with cheap rates off peak / overnight - or single rate ?

Is your hot water from a large tank

Is your heating at least in main rooms - using night storage heaters - or just standard plug ins / panel heaters.

I am a lowish user for a 2 bed home - but my winter use for the first 5 days of January - and although cold it hasnt been extreme here in EM  - has averaged over £4 - been as high as just over £5.  But my average in summer more like £2/day and annually average last year c£2.60/day.  

The best you can do is heat sensibly on the most suitable tariff for your heating type and needs (times of day and temperature) - both space heating in winter and hot water all year round - tend to dominate the decisions on tariff and type.  

You might also find a better deal at another supplier - not all charge the cap rate.

And again - just the method can make a difference.

Right now paying prepay - is around £48 cheaper at cap rates cf direct debit - which is itself £113 cheaper than standard credit / pay on reciept of bill at Ofgem cap levels ( so maybe -2% / 6% on rates and/or standing charges relative to DD)

 

2b) Single Rate vs Multirate e.g. economy 7

If you have a HW tank that feeds your bath and shower - and storage heating - and your home wired for it - chances are you may want to be on multirate electric deal with aggressive pricing  (I use 75-80% of my power off peak - it drags the average price per unit much lower than single rate).

But if your using normal plug in heaters and a mains powered (cold water in - electrically het) shower at peak times - you might want to avoid e7 - as could be paying even more than you would on single rate. 

As although the best offer cheaper off-peak - c 12-15p maybe - others - they also balance by more expensive peak rates - maybe 30-35p - and you dont want to pay 35p for most of your energy.

It comes down to the ratio of off peak units to total units used and the rates (around just over a third - say 35-40% off peak is normally enough on best deals to lower average price below single rate)

So tell us a little more about your heating systems and energy tariff  - and well see if we can suggest ways of maybe cutting back on costs - and not necessarily - temperature / comfort levels.

3) Drop temps a little but make sure you remain safe and comfortable

If you can - medically fit etc - you might want to read some of the tips on heat the person rather than heat the full flat in other threads.

I have last 2 winters - during / post crisis peak started wearing cheap thin thermals under normal winter wear. 

(Jeans / trousers / jogging bottoms, shirt plus jumper/sweat shirt/jogger top - so now 2 / 3 layers total ). My living rooms just under 16C - the rest of the house 14C - today - it maybe saves me a couple of £100 pa compared to past use levels - when 18 C LR - 16/7 elsewhere - more standard when electricity cheaper pre crisis. 

My extra coping mechanism - just the cheap thermals (I have just bought a couple of sets - £12 from Primark, £10 from Lidl yesterday) - which I might need (one current set getting a bit worn out after 2 years of winter use) - or keep for next winter.

Some people go much further - sit around in winter down jackets and ski trousers / hats to save £100s - I don't take it to that extreme - I tried an extra couple of degrees for a couple of weeks - so 14 in LR and felt side effects - hands and toes - so reverted to current compromise.

But it should always be very much health driven at an individual level.

My elderly mum when in her 70s and early 80s - had both heart/circulation and COPD issues - needed 18C then 20/21C min when sedentary / lost mobility - and that meant heating on earlier in autumn, later in spring.

Keep_pedalling

If you like to be cozy warm while relaxing in the evening get yourself an electric throw. The cost pennies to run because they are heating you not the whole room.