1 bedroom flat - electricity costs

[Autumnleaves82]

If you live in a 1 bedroom flat that only has electricity (so no gas central heating, etc.), how much are you paying for electricity? It would also be helpful to know your average consumption or cost for summer/winter.

I’m trying to support a family member and unsure what a ‘typical’ cost should be for this. They are living alone and don’t use any special equipment.

I am in 2 bed but dont ever use the second bedroom. In July we paid £56 ,march £103, January £ 124 . This is with Octopus . Two adults only.

I'm in a 1-bed with only electricity. The supplier is EDF. I pay £60 a month by direct debit and that leaves me slightly in credit at the end of each year. I used to have an Economy 7 meter, so my hot water would heat overnight, but I got a smart meter last year because the Economy 7 signal was being switched off. They set it up on the standard variable tariff by mistake but my payments are the same. I don't use the storage heaters as they were never that great. I was always topping up the heat with a fan heater, so one year I just used the fan heater when I was at home, and it was no dearer. I live in a block of flats with people to one side of me and above and below, so it's a fairly warm flat anyway.

They did announce earlier this year that my direct debit was going up to £75 a month, but I made them put it back down as we'd just finished winter and I was over £100 in credit. I never found out how or why they decided I should pay more, so I would recommend keeping an eye on your relative's bills and communications and querying any unnecessary increases.

The range in cost will be too wide to be of any use as it will depend on the type of electric heating, tariff and whether its economy 7, insulation, size of flat, outside temperature, temperature it's been heated to and for how long each day.

Also their hot water will be a significant contributer, especially if they have an immersion heater.

What I do know is that MIL lives in a tiny 2 bed ground floor flat, the second bedroom is effectively a large cupboard that is only used for storage and only minimally heated to ward off damp and her winter bills are eye watering, hundreds of pounds a month, but needs must.

What do you mean by supporting them? Paying their bills? Helping them claim benefits or other financial help due to low income and vulnerability?

What type of electric heating does it have?

Storage heaters, panel heaters, electric boiler?
Similarly how is the water heated? Is there an immersion tank?

The key thing with all electric is to be on the right tariff for your system.

If it's storage heaters then octopus have a new tariff specifically for them which is worth looking at. Rates vary depending on your region but the off peak rate is about 9p.

However split tariffs are only worth it if you are using substantial amounts at the lower rate (by having storage heaters/ immersion heater).

If she has more instant heat options this won't apply.

I appreciate the question was 'how much ' but it's hard to answer without knowing the type of system and her tariff.

My DS’s is £100 per month for 12 months a year, he doesn't have gas and doesn’t have the heating in a lot as his flat is really warm. He is at home all day.