Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 12?

martyp · 12 January 2011 at 9:33PM

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can confirm the unit prices for the above for the 14 Midlands area as Uswitch and Moneysupermarket show different rates but they both indicate I would save by switching to it.
I also have trouble working out what my exact tariff is as they don't seem to have a match for mine. I chose different near matches but the result seem to come out to more, my bill shows it as 'Online Fixed Price Energy 2011'

It says the price is guaranteed to be under the standard tariff but I was hoping to get a fixed rate as I fear that price can still be liable to going up can't it on the Online Energy Saver 12?

When I log in to my account it offers:
Online Energy - Capped Rate - fixed until 30th Nov 2012
Online Energy - Capped Rate NSC - fixed until 30th Nov 2012
Then 2 platinum ones that include boiler cover.

It's annoying though that they don't seem to show what the unit rates are and I fear clicking through in case it sets me on one of those tariffs. I like to do all my own calculations as I don't trust any of the switching sites.

martyp · 12 January 2011 at 9:59PM

I've managed to compare the prices now, the capped deals (SC and non SC) are both higher rates (about 1p a unit and 1p a day SC more) than my current deal whereas the Online Energy Saver 12 is actually lower rates than my current deal. I do worry though that the Online Energy Saver 12 is vulnerable to price increases.
I also noticed that where the measurements are based on one charge for the first X kWh used and then another charge that Uswitch and Moneysupermarket have multiplied this for a year.
Basically, for the electric for example, it's the first 225kWh used per quarter on the charges at Scottish Power site but comparison sites calculate it as the first 900 kWh over the year.
I'm trying to think if that would result in any significant differences if working it out over quarterly amounts, say where the usage falls under 225kWh in the summer months per quarter so the charges will be all on the unit rate.
Can a maths expert advise whether it works calculating 225kWh per month or 900kWh per year and gets the same amount?

Premier_2 · 13 January 2011 at 12:04AM

Sorry, but Online Energy Saver 12 appears to only be available to "brand new customers only".
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2976902

Other requirements appear to be:
1. Customer must already be supplied as a dual fuel customer
2. Customer must be with one of other big 6 suppliers

As regards split of tier1 usage, assuming you use at least the annual amount equal to the annual teir 1 limit, then the assumption is the maximum amount is charged at tier 1 rate. Depending on usage (e.g you don't use any energy in one quarter), that may be a little higher than it'll actually cost ... but the saving is minimal.

martyp · 13 January 2011 at 12:37AM

Thanks Premier, I think that's misleading then of uswitch and moneysupermarket to suggest that's my best tariff to change to when I tell them I'm already with Scottish Power.

Premier_2 · 13 January 2011 at 12:43AM

Yeah, its also suggested by energyhelpline, switchwithwhich and energylynx that I know of.

I'm wondering if it's the Scottish Power website that's actually at fault ... or whether SP supplied the comparison sites with duff/incomplete eligibility requirements

I might contact them (SP) tomorrow and check for certain ... assuming Colin doesn't pop by beforehand and clarify things for us

Edit: actually the comparison sites I used do infact say you can't switch ... but I thought it was that you couldn't via their site rather than you can't at all

Premier_2 · 13 January 2011 at 2:59PM

Good news! :j

As the Online Energy Saver 12 seemed such a cracking deal for me (would save 20% compared to current suppliers/tariffs, and still significant savings over next best options) I decided to give Scottish Power a last chance and call them.

Spoke to a lovely lady who confirmed that the tariff should be available to existing customers. Also was considered as an 'upsell', as they would now be getting gas from a competitor, and said there was no issues from transferring from Ebico (but that might be because Ebico use SSE?)

However, she also confirmed that the website for some reason would not allow it (and it should be signed up for online)
So, she checked with her manager and they allowed her to sign me up over the phone

(Only downside is that I couldn't get any cashback via one of the usual sites

- a small loss though in the circumstances)

I think she was doing a bit of fiddling too - said she needed to first get the gas over to them on standard tariff, and then get both gas & electric onto Online Saver 12 tarrif ... but she said don't worry, it should all happen together and has put a comment on my account to say so.

So fingers crossed ...

Now to give notice to Ebico that I am rejecting their gas price increase :beer:
When I did that with their electric, it ended up me not paying the final bill at all

Doubt I'll be as lucky second time around.

martyp · 15 January 2011 at 1:02AM

I'll probably have another chat with them tomorrow as Online Energy Saver 12 seems really good, I just worry about the potential for the price to jump at the start of the winter months...

Premier_2 · 15 January 2011 at 3:56PM

The tariff is a variable rate and you need to ensure you are happy with a variable rate tariff.
It also only lasts until the end of Feb 2012.
They can't do much with the price. If they do anything that means it'll end up costing you more than £50 over a competitor, then you can always switch

(Actually you'll probably be able to get £50 for a switch via a cashback site anyway

)

But if you are not happy with a variable rate tariff, you should choose the best fixed rate (or capped rate) ... but I would be wary about going for a fixed rate if the suggestion proves true that prices will be falling across the industry soon
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/utilities/2011/01/eon-to-raise-energy-prices
(not that I think they will be, but the I'm no expert ... for we all know the definition of an expert

)

You'll pay more for a fixed rate at present ... but maybe that is a price you are happy to pay for peace of mind?

martyp · 15 January 2011 at 9:00PM

Hi Premier,
I rang up and switched to the Online Energy Saver 12 tariff just before they closed at 1pm today. My direct debit is going down from the (recently increased) £65 per month to £60 a month now

I did worry very much about the variable rate side compared to fixed but the lady also told me that today they announced the deals that are going to be offered to those on the Feb 2011 fixed rate. Apparently everyone on that tariff will be receiving an e-mail on Monday explaining the options and that the tariff will switch to the standard rate otherwise. The options available will be the capped rates currently offered when going in to the online service which are a fair amount more. These of course would offer peace of mind until December 2012, in my case a rise to £72 per month. I was tempted by the Platinum plan as that is fixed until 2014 and includes the boiler cover and in my case would increase my monthly payments to £78 a month.
I reviewed the history of price changes for Scottish Power on the following link:
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/gas-electricity-prices.aspx
I know it's no guarantee that there won't be any price changes but if anything it indicated some price drops between 2008 and 2010 (before the rise in November) and this ESO 12 tariff would also hopefully benefit from any drops.
Fingers crossed...

Froglet · 4 February 2011 at 10:45PM

Very interesting and informative thread. I am also on the fixed rate Feb 2011 and have been doing some research into the best price either elsewhere or staying with Scottish Power.I have to say that they are by far and away the best site/company i have ever used,and do not want to change.However it puzzles me that they are only suggesting what are going to be higher priced deals.Do they really think we will just say yes ok sign me up,without looking to see what else they offer? I too am tempted by the online energy saver 12 dual fuel.I cannot find it on the website AFTER I've logged in,but if i don't log in i can get the prices,terms and conditions for it.There is nothing in those that say you cannot have it if already one of their customers.

I am encouraged by the success of you good people on here and have arranged a call back on Monday so we shall see what they say then.

moneysavingwannabe · 5 February 2011 at 10:29AM

I changed to this with no problems. I was on the fixed feb 2011 too.

Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 12?

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free