No standing charges for summer...

IanDMcC

Hello all, I've looked through threads but they're closed so I have to ask what may be a repeat question for myself, apologies and thanks in advance for any responses.

I'm a 'duel fuel' consumer, DD payments and very low use. Only gas appliance is central heating combi-boiler which I only use minimally during the winter. Maybe once or twice outside this if there is a particularly cold spell. Live on my own in a 3-bedroom house. All lights are 'SMART' LED lamps, modern TVs, induction hob, fan assisted oven and nothing else that really consumes a lot of electricity except for the shower and as I go to the gym pretty much every day now I've retired I shower there.

I am looking to swap suppliers and deplore standing charges although I fully appreciate the need for them. My question is - would I be better off choosing a supplier (can only find one - Utilita) offering NO standing charges and no 'exit' fees? Obviously their unit prices reflect this.

My reasoning is that I use virtually no gas for at least 6 months of the year so could just sign up with Utilita until the end of our 'warmer' weather and find another supplier for the winter months. I can't find information that shows my monthly usage for the last 12 months or so, so I can't easily calculate my projected usage. Would I be better off? 

la531983

Utilita load the standing charge on the first 2 units of electric per day, I have no idea how many units of gas they spread it out over, you merely need to know how many units a day you use in summer and if this is less than the number of front loaded gas units, you are likely going to be "up".

Gerry1

Your online energy account should allow you to see your usage.

Scot_39

What's your billing cycle ? 

My supplier is monthly - and if not smart metered they expect monthly manual readings (unless e.g. on PSR as unable to do so).

Do you have a smart meter - if so most suppliers will give you at least monthly readings - some down to 1/2hrly - on their online portal.

But be warned - if you use thr gas for hot water - whether tank of from a combi - it is likely to be more than Utilita 2kWh per day.

My hw tank and shower use 4-5kWh per day.

Annually it can even beat my modest winter heating costs.  Last year definitely this year so far probably not but still close.

I see you exclude shower thats maybe 1.5kWh.  Tank losses 1kWh.

It's still a close run thing if using the combi if afaik utilita recover on 2kWh per day.  Every dish or hand rinse under a hot tap soon adds up.


Also iirc utilita is a prepay deal and not protected by the Ofgem cap. 

And you'd probably have to switch dual fuel over. 

They may even have a minimum consumption clause - other zero or low SC offerings in recent past did.

You would need to check it's terms for any minimum sign up period and other potential protections.

Remember their rates on days you go over might have margin for tge days you go under.

But so few post their rates here - not sure.

wrf12345

Even if you turn the gas off at the meter for nine months of the year, Utilia's gas rate will still work out more expensive for the three months of (modest) heating, the electric rate is doable, though. If income is very low try Octopus, they may give you a six month standing charge holiday even if not on benefits, which will get you to the end of the year when new zero rate std tariffs are supposed to be an option.

FreeBear

IanDMcC said:  I can't find information that shows my monthly usage for the last 12 months or so, so I can't easily calculate my projected usage.

Your bill should have a little box to show a projected consumption for the following 12 months - It is only an estimate, but with my supplier (Octopus) it looks to be reasonable based on the previous 12 moths.