Switching electric/gas providers (see first post for links)

Your provider needs to request the meter from esbn. Who are you with?

Flogas

Just in the middle of switching from the BWG Community deal to the BWG Affinity one and there is a box entitled 'Promotional Code'- do I need a code to get the deal or can I leave this blank?

I am a low user (1200kw p.a)

I was doing calculations on the BWG Flogas offer v 24% off electric deals with BG/EI.

BWG works out more expensive for me than EI/BG. Also, with the fixed up unit rate there would be upside for future reductions over BH/EI.

No doubt BWG offer offers immediate savings and price certainty for high users. However, a further 5% (approx) eduction in rates over 12mths will see the savings reduced or eliminated*. Add in break fees to switch to another provider and it may work out more expensive. (*Calculation ased on 5,000kw p.a)

Summary: establish your annual use and do your calculations before committing to a 12mth fix.

How is bwg more expensive? Higher standing charge?

Am I reading your yearly useage right 1200 .I know I'm an outlier but I'd be happy to use that amount monthly.How do you manage it.

yeah i thought i was doing well with 2532.05Kwh pa

2532.05kW ? You must have blown the local grid

I think the 80 - 20 rule probably applies and the key with reducing usage is to focus on the meter spinners, like electric heaters (even storage heaters), cookers, tumble dryers, and even inefficient fridge-freezers. It's interesting to note that some low electricity users probably have gas cookers or gas/oil heating while others may not etc.

It’s utterly pointless reading the low energy users here. We don’t know how many people they live with. The size of their dwelling. How often they are in it. If they WFH. The heating etc.

Plugging out your devices at night has very little effect on your overall bill. The current draw to keep things on standby can effectively be ignored. It’s not why their usage is low. If they are doing that, they are likely doing a lot of other things to keep their usage low.

This is going off topic but I must respond to your post. Did you read my post? How is it pointless?

Please note, I declared I heated with Gas. I cook with electric. The purpose of my initial post was to state the lowest unit rate (BWG) is not necessarily the cheapest deal. Thats all. Someone then asked me how it's so low.

I am not trying to do comparisons with others. Thats just my use, for my needs and lifestyle.

There are two people at home, sometimes three. Two bed apt. My usage would not be any less with one person and possibly marginally more with three. My use went up to 1250 with 5 day WFH. I now WFH 3 days and use dropped to 1100kw.

For the BWG rate, the standing charge is almost €100 more than BG. That difference will buy a lot of electricity (approx 350kw at .28c) For very low users it's not the cheapest, but is a great deal of you are a high one.

The cheapest for me is actually Airtricity with a big unit rate but €200 welcome bonus. Thats real savings to me, but not everyone.

From my perspective, its possible for practically everyone, no matter what their circumstances or use, to reduce energy use on core energy (light/laundry/entertainment devices (i.e. not leaving TV on if not watching it) and save money in the process.

Many people just focus on its cost, and obviously want to get it cheaper. Some overlook real savings also available to them in terms of how they use energy.

Again, I was not comparing. Where do you get that from? My post was about getting the best deal for my use.

I never said turning off a washing machine at night is a panacea for savings. All appliances and devices not in use will aggregate up to real savings. As will being smart as to how they are used

For example

I know people that wash one or two small items at a time for no reason. Thats avoidable. As is boiling a full kettle for one cup of tea etc.

I am not advocating no waste, just reducing it.

I did this last year, probably on the advice of this thread, and just looked back on the email... Additional part in the email I received, re changing provider, not sure if/how its relevant -

Thank you for your email.

I can confirm your MPRN is no longer included in our current meter replacement plan. ESB Networks will inform your electricity supply company of your preference. If you change your supplier, please note you will need to renew your objection with your new Supplier...

What’s wrong with thr smart meters?