Gas & Electricity

[CHR1S]

Were due to move into our new home in a little over 3 weeks (yay)

 

How on earth do you decide on what energy supplier and tariff to take? How do you provide them with usage stats for a new home? Do you just pick the cheapest with no cancellation charge and whoever throws the most freebies in?

[Sunnyknight]

British gaaaaaaaaaaa..... no don't do it. Scottish power all the way! Nice and cheap, no call-out charge for us if anything goes wrong, and no cancellation charge. Freebies i can't remember (at work) but we had a fair few.

[featured_spectre]

I went with Ebico. Average yearly bill is £1000 for both gas and electric, next nearest competitor is Scottish and Southern Energy at £1400.

 

Comparison sites help here, if you know you will use power more at night then look for different tarriff times etc.

[Andrew_C]

One thing to watch is the standing charge. When I was living on my own, the fact the BG didn't charge one was a very significant part of my bill saved. Now living in a house-full, it matters much less.

[CHR1S]

Thats the thing, we don't know our usage other than our estimations. Were budgeting for £100 p/m dual fuel but thats as far as we got.

There will be two adults and a child, with one adult home most days during the day.

[Sunnyknight]

Budget for £400 per quarter. You'll thank me later and you'll probably have a nice amount left over. Better budgeting for more, than less, and end up in the red.

[HaleStorm]

Check out Utilities Warehouse, good rates and cash-back on each bill, We moved to them a few months ago, no problems and bills have come down around £25 for dual fuel each month

[featured_spectre]

Budget for £400 per quarter. You'll thank me later and you'll probably have a nice amount left over. Better budgeting for more, than less, and end up in the red.

 

This is surprisingly sound advice from @Sunnyknight

 

However I would say a bit more, and have it deposited on a per monthly basis around £150 into a separate account. It can earn a small amount of interest and anything underpaid each year can turn out to be a nice bit of pocket money

[Sunnyknight]

This is surprisingly sound advice from @Sunnyknight

 

However I would say a bit more, and have it deposited on a per monthly basis around £150 into a separate account. It can earn a small amount of interest and anything underpaid each year can turn out to be a nice bit of pocket money

 

Hey hey, i have been known to be serious at times, but you couldn't let me have the glory could you? You just re-worded what i said and added £50 to the total! lol

[featured_spectre]

Yes, Yes I did, but factor in the extra £50 for the colder months (October through July the way it is going on!) and it will be beneficial!

[Danp]

British Gas, give meter readings via an app and I get Nectar points

[Pyroman]

British Gas, give meter readings via an app and I get Nectar points

 

Yeah that's always a benefit, i don't know if the other suppliers let you do it but i give a meter reading every couple of weeks via their website then i know i'm bang up to date and the bill is what i've actually used.

[Danp]

Yeah that's always a benefit, i don't know if the other suppliers let you do it but i give a meter reading every couple of weeks via their website then i know i'm bang up to date and the bill is what i've actually used.

 

I do the same, they email me to remind me and it's easy to pop outside and bung them into my phone. Direct debt too which makes it easier for me too

[rich_tech]

Avoid anything with a standing charge is what we looked to do here, such a ripoff for nothing, think we are on Swalec for both here

[Andrew_C]

Avoid anything with a standing charge

Don't write them off. You may pay less per unit on a tariff which could work out, over all, in your favour. Especially if you use a lot of power.