EBICO. Fab

c0113tt3

hmm basement, you will always need to use quite a bit of heating then.

Basement flats etc.. are always colder, and often prone to damp too, so it probably is better to keep a moderate temperature at most times of the day. A de-humidifier may save a little on the gas in those circumstances, they take away some coldness and certainly remove damp. You could try not using anything with the gas for a day and see if any useage has been made with being in a group of flats / maisonettes. Also npower arent really a great company to be with, especially for the gas, ie. the gas sculpt thread.

If you do take measures to reduce consumption, I definately suggest having a de-humidifier in the basement bedroom, switching it on once for 4 to 6 hours a week, would stop any possibility of damp in a basement. But you would probably be better keeping moderate temps for most of the time. Also water pressure to / from boiler would play a good part too, if any doubt contact the boiler manufacturer, of what are acceptable pressures. You should also be able to alter the pressure at the radiators too, as well as bleeding them. To make the central heating efficient, depending on the path of the heating system from the boiler to the radiators, changing pressure settings on the radiators may also make it better to certain rooms, dependent upon the path of the heating system. With this though I would recommend an engineer. We have ours serviced every year, and use the service engineers recomendations in water pressure / settings.

[Deleted User]

our gas consumption from 27 feb to 27 may was 795.61 kwh. That covers gas ch, gas hob and gas combi condensing boiler. I think the sun has a lot to do with the low consumption as it does make the house cosy, even in winter. 3 bed town house only 3 years old and well insulated

Electricity for the same period was 629 units and covers lighting and all the household appliances and I did bake a lot in the oven too. Swalec area by the way

all in all I know that we are light users and will be lighter next quarter because of no/low/if any oven use

remoska used today for flapjacks(20 min) scones (30 min), No contest really re power consumption as they were cooked from cold, whereas the oven required pre-heating. Plus one very happy dh who loves my home baking

MarkyMarkD

OK, thanks all for your comments.

So it boils down to "ebico's pricing structure benefits low users". And for everyone else, they are poor value.

Whilst it might seem ethical and cuddly to subsidise low users, I'm not sure that I understand why that should be the case. It's those who use lots of fuel - because they have old, inefficient homes, or because they are elderly or housebound and are in the house a lot of the time - who need subsidising, not those who spend next to nothing on fuel.

It's amusing that kittie likes ebico's ethical position, but is actually a "taker" from the pricing structure rather than a "giver".

Strangely, I quite like the ethical position of suppliers who do charge a standing charge (either explicitly or implicitly) and hence don't subsidise those who don't necessarily need it, at the expense of those who probably do.

Cardew

c0113tt3 wrote: »

I think you missed this cardew.

"have a 2 bed masinonette"

I did indeed - sorry!

[Deleted User]

no need for that snide comment markyd

perhaps next winter I will be using a lot more energy.I don`t think about it because I can afford it. I just like to live ethically and that includes other things but hey have a sneer. I can take it and I sleep happily, knowing that I try and do my bit for people and the planet. To get my bill down so low means that my carbon footprint is also low for house energy

we cycle when we can, rarely fly, get the bus when we can and drive a nice skoda that gets 70 mpg on the motorway. The house energy thing is all part of the same package and perhaps is the reason why we won`t be worrying when oil reaches its $180-$200 target. Oh but that has nothing to do with ebico, sorry, just trying to explain our ethics here

As an aside, that £14 will be going towards our sponsored world vision child

DGJsaver

c0113tt3 wrote: »

hmm basement, you will always need to use quite a bit of heating then.

Basement flats etc.. are always colder, and often prone to damp too, so it probably is better to keep a moderate temperature at most times of the day. A de-humidifier may save a little on the gas in those circumstances, they take away some coldness and certainly remove damp. You could try not using anything with the gas for a day and see if any useage has been made with being in a group of flats / maisonettes. Also npower arent really a great company to be with, especially for the gas, ie. the gas sculpt thread.

If you do take measures to reduce consumption, I definately suggest having a de-humidifier in the basement bedroom, switching it on once for 4 to 6 hours a week, would stop any possibility of damp in a basement. But you would probably be better keeping moderate temps for most of the time. Also water pressure to / from boiler would play a good part too, if any doubt contact the boiler manufacturer, of what are acceptable pressures. You should also be able to alter the pressure at the radiators too, as well as bleeding them. To make the central heating efficient, depending on the path of the heating system from the boiler to the radiators, changing pressure settings on the radiators may also make it better to certain rooms, dependent upon the path of the heating system. With this though I would recommend an engineer. We have ours serviced every year, and use the service engineers recomendations in water pressure / settings.

Theres on emeasure we do have a dehumidifier in the downstairs spare room but dont use it as often as we should and now its dawned on me that gas costs more than electric i think we will start usiong it as often as you suggest

Also , i am going to try the no gas for a day thing and make sure the mete doesnt move !!

Very obliged for your advice

cheers

Ken68

Havn't had a proper look, but guess that pre discount (bribe!!!!) units prices are competative with Ebico for higher users.

MoneyMiser

As far as I am aware EBICo are great for low users.

Use anymore than 10,000 kWh of gas and 3000kWh of electricity and your better off with someone else. Usually the online tariffs with BG or NP.

MM

MarkyMarkD

It wasn't a snide comment, kittie. Merely an observation that somehow you think you are being ethical, when all you are doing is choosing a supplier which benefits customers like yourself who use hardly any fuel.

The fact that the same supplier also charges cheap rates to other customers like yourself is scarcely relevant.

And my nice Skoda will happily do 50mpg on the motorway. I probably don't pootle along at 50mph like you do, though, so don't manage to match your 70mpg.

It's amazing how you can be warm and comfortable for such a cheap amount, though. Well done!

loz86

If you compare Ebico to other suppliers standard tariffs, they are consistantly well priced for PPM and those paying quarterly. I think it's unfair to say 'they are only good for low users' as this is not the case.

I read somewhere that there is actually only £16 annually difference between the big six suppliers, so I think it's good to have a different company offering fair rates for everyone.

Everyone's fuel consumption is different so the only way to really compare is to do a price comparison yourself. Energy Helpline offers the most impartial service.