Help Parents Elec £60 Week

slash69

Hi can anyone advise been a lurker for 6 months this is first post.
my parents live in a 3 bed semi which is all elec.they are currently pying £60 per week ,they are with eon on prepay meter..they have econ 7,emersion on 2 hours a day,1 storage heater on approx 7 hours, no dishwasher,wash machine on once occ twice, use elec fire in lounge,both at work in the day only the two of them live there both over 60 (only just says mum lol) do not recieve any benefits.paying back a debt of 6.50 per week incl in this...the meter has been changed but still they are paying this amount a week what can i suggest that they do this seems outrageously high to me...sorry to waffle on but i'm really concerned for them. thanks in advance

espresso

First suggestion, get the pre-payment meter replaced by a standard meter, as you will be paying more per unit used. Paying by DD will give a further discount. Check the actual usage in kWh and then switch to the cheapest supplier when the prices have stabilised.

slash69

thanks espresso will they be chaged for changing the meter and would they be better having it done by the new company when theyve shopped around?

Mike_by_the_Sea

Hi slash69

Welcome to your first postings.

It is better to get the meter changed with your current provider as they don't usually charge for the change. They may ask you to clear the outstanding debt first. If you go to a new provider they will almost certainly charge for changing the meter.

Good luck

Mike

espresso

slash69 wrote: »

thanks espresso will they be chaged for changing the meter and would they be better having it done by the new company when theyve shopped around?

I would have though that it would be better to request that the current supplier changes the meter and then shop around for the best deal, and definitely change if they want to charge for the changing the meter.

slash69

thanks mike and espresso will have a word with mum and dad tonight and see what they can arrange with eon

Gorgeous_George

Hi

Changing suppliers won't save them a fortune and may delay them getting their (energy-saving) lightbulb moment. Moving to a monthly direct debit will save more but first they need to understand where the money goes. For a start, £6.50 is to pay arrears.

My tips are as follows

Immersion Heater (IH)
1. Switch it off! Heat your water overnight using cheap electricity. IH should rarely be required (3kW x 2 hours x 20p = £8.40 per week). Edited to reflect likely 20p per unit!. If necessary, consider a larger tank.
2. Keep your heat - make sure the HW storage tank is fully-lagged.
3. Fix any dripping taps, especially hot water taps.
4. Turning the hot tap costs money. Lots of people use the hot tap to rinse their hands with cold water - hot water from your fully-lagged tank replaces the cold water in the pipes and goes cold before you use it.

MAKE SURE YOUR THERMOSTAT IS SAFE. They are as cheap as chips. Replace it now especially if it is pre - 2004. (Click me I'm a link)

Night Storage Heaters (NSH)
1. Some electricity providers can deliver 2 hours of cheapish electric in the afternoon as a boost. Ask your supplier.
2. Make sure the NSH's have their vents closed to keep the heat for when they need it. If the NSH feels hot with the vents closed it may be faulty. Have someone check it unless you know how.
3. Use the NSH in the main living room and keep doors shut, seal any draughts, wear a jumper!
4. Avoid using ad hoc electric fires for extended periods - they are using expensive electricity (about 20p per 1kW bar per hour (just 4 hours per night = £5.60 per week or £72.80 per quarter. Two bars for 4 hours is £145.60 per quarter)). Edited to reflect likely 20p per unit!!

Finally, and you'll like this one, if your house has a gas connection but no meter, have one fitted and benefit from dual fuel deals

GG

jembie

Unfortunately I don't think they will be successful in getting the meter changed if they have debt on it.
I tried several times to get mine changed and now that I have moved house I still can't get NPower to change it even though it was here when I moved in.

macaroni

Do they actually take advantage of the economy 7? If they dont then the charges for electricity in the day are higher than normal.

They need a timer for their washer(if it doesnt have time delay on it), and use the econ7 to heat their water overnigth and have shower/bath in the morning when the water is warm.

I would get the elec company to check the meter too as it does seem atrociously high

Gorgeous_George

macaroni wrote: »

I would get the elec company to check the meter too as it does seem atrociously high

It is not atrociously high IMHO.

They use the immersion heater for two hours per day.

On E7 tariffs, NSH are ON for 7 hours (at night when they charge up). During the day the heat is released and this release costs nothing.

Washing machines heat the water as necessary. Many wm's are sited some distance from the hot water tank and therefore fill with cold water from the HW pipes. You may as well fill them with cold water. Some wm installations would not benefit from cheap overnight electric as the E7 ring may only provide NSH heating and hot water

Two questions:
1. How much do they pay per unit for E7 and normal rate electricity?
2. How many units are used for each rate?

GG