I would appreciate your valued guidance on switching from gas to electric

EssexHebridean

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81886511#Comment_81886511

I agree - however, when the person asking the question is known to be of an older demographic, and very likely to need more heating as time goes on, I would suggest that warning them off a property with just about the most expensive form of heating they could end up with is probably pretty well founded. It's fantastic that you have the financial privilege not to need to be concerned about how your home is heated, but not everyone who comes here is fortunate enough to be in that position. Mike may well be that lucky too - but someone else reading his post because they are in the same situation might need more honest advice than "ahh it'll be fine, don't worry about it!" and to a lot of folk (In fact I would suggest the vast majority), the estimated £700 difference that was referred to in an earlier reply is rather more significant than "a few pounds"!

Not quite sure why you've quoted my post then mentioned Agile - I didn't refer to any specific tariffs in my post. as you have brought it up though, I'd completely agree that Agile is not likely to be a good tariff for an elderly person in an all-electric household though. Perhaps you were confused with my mention of Economy 7.

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81886511#Comment_81886511

While I get what you say & agree in some ways. That few pounds can be in the hundreds in some cases. Which may make going to the pub something they can no longer afford.

So from a bigger picture, how much your heating bills are can make a massive difference on your social life.

debitcardmayhem

I was not suggesting that the OP would only see a few pounds difference, nor was I confused by Economy 7 and agile, and the 700 was not based on readings ,nor performance of the heating, since there aren't any.

I was alluding to the fact saving money on electricity may not be as big a benefit as

"I am so looking forward to having some sun having spent 3 years in the shade with a lamp on feeling cold even on a sunny day." or the possibility of making small changes to save money.

And @MikeJXE himself mentioned coffee at Wetherspoons suggesting that he is aware he may have adjust some things.

Also being of the older demographic myself , I didn't say "ahh it'll be fine, don't worry about it!" or anything remotely like that, my meaning was that life is precious and I think i also suggested balance vs mse.

Very nice of you to elevate me to the ranks of financially privileged, but do you know me or my late wife? Fortunately when I had a small surplus I installed PVs and that helped offset the cost of 22000 kWh of gas to ensure my wife was kept warm during her illness.

Oh and the only bit of @EssexHebridean post that I posted was that she would look elsewhere , and that piece of advice is subjective and founded purely on the fact that the new place has panel heaters which I agree is expensive compared to HHRs. What about the comparable heat loss of the two places , total volume etc.

It amazes me that "the elder" are often assumed to be of second class citizen status.

MikeJXE

Thank you all for your input

Yep I am older demographic 85 and 3 months to be exact and yep I do feel the cold, I'm a month into 30 minute home workout the Joe Wicks (and others) way, already losing lbs and inches slowly. Started walking too, 1 mile then 2, my last on the best day this month 3.25 miles

I'm a planner, not being what you would call rich, but questioning my financial path till the inevitable happens

I sold my home 7 years ago and worked out I could rent for 40 odd years so I gave the 2 kids and 4 grandkids half of my funds

It has worked out quite well I still have my half and where I live at present will last another 30 years, not much chance of me living that long so I can splash out bit on something sunnier

I was too late applying for the flat but I have 2/3 years before my landlady wants me out so the one I have missed will probably come round again, I am happy enough here but ready for change

Again thank you

EssexHebridean

@debitcardmayhem - anyone who is able to take the position of not worrying unduly about bills, and being able to factor in a social life has financial privilege - I wholeheartedly include myself in that. Reminding someone of their privilege is not a slur or an insult - it's a statement of fact. Financial privilege is not being rich, or having millions in the bank - it's the simple ability to not have to worry about money on a routine basis. It's a good thing - but not something we should ever take for granted I'd suggest. Generally when making suggestions to others on here I've always felt it's best to assume that their position is - or could become - the worst, as otherwise the suggestions made could lead them into a problematic position.

I did think it relatively unlikely given your long history here that you would have been confused by the E7 mention, but honestly couldn't think of any other reason why you'd brought Agile into your reply!

Generally:As it happens I was aware of @MikeJXE 's age - he's mentioned it here before - so the fact that he may feel the cold more as time goes on is extremely relevant in this case - and in turn, he could go from a scenario where those panel heaters would have been in use for 5 - 6 hours a day to a point where they would need to be on 24/7 to keep a temperature at which he was comfortable - that would mean an enormous increase in costs - and for an awful lot of people that would then lead them into a situation where they had to prioritise their finances over their health. With that in mind, I maintain the position that generally speaking I don't believe that an electric only property with panel heaters only (or the dreaded wet electric system) is likely to be a sensible choice for someone in Mike's position.

@MikeJXE - good luck finding somewhere that will suit your needs, it's great that you have plenty of time to be able to ensure that the move will be a successful one when it happens.

MikeJXE

EssexHebridean Thanks for your thoughts, although I think things through (mostly) when the next flat in this block come available I might not make the most sensible choice. I'm hooked

Location location location for a let as much as a buy, for me is very relevant. I would expect I might be down up to £2,000 per year but that's no big deal, I can't have many more year left. it's only a loss for my grandkids who don't need it anyway.

I will take my chance on the first year and closely watch the usage adjusting where I can, after all life is a learning curve and we only get one shot at it, it's not like buying where you are stuck till you sell, a months notice and move on

EssexHebridean

In your financial position Mike, that's a really pragmatic approach to take, and yes, I had a feeling you might say that! It's an altogether situation being in a position where you are comfortable to say "OK, so it could be X amount, and if it is, so be it, I'm confident that's affordable" than someone who is on a far tighter budget and perhaps is 10 years younger than you also, isn't it!

tfhnota

If it gets too much, you can always go off to Spain, etc, and rent an apartment for the three winter months, much preferable to handing over thousands to the energy moguls and possibly cheaper, whilst still paying for your apartment in the UK (or not if you get the timing right and have to wait for the UK apt and vacate the old one early). Pity the rental market in the UK is so much in demand, not on pricing in your case but location.

MikeJXE

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81889654#Comment_81889654

Spain is not for me, I spent 18 months in a sea view apartment on Gran Canaria too much sun and too many cockroaches