The Future Of Gas & Elec Prices

ahll · 22 February 2006 at 7:22PM

Hi All,
As it gets closer to the 1st March when British Gas put up their prices I need to decide wether to move or stay with them.

I have used a few comparision sites and Powergen have come out as my best option but I have read thread on here that suggest I don't touch them with a bargepole !

So my question is are gas and electric prices going to continue to increase at a similar rate over the next few years ?

I have been looking at capped rates and as far as I can tell BG have the longest offer that runs until April 2009.

So my second question is should I get then capped until 2009 ? It seems to me that would mean paying more now than I would have too with a lot of other supplier ! Is it going to be worth it in the end ?

Any comments ?

penrhyn · 22 February 2006 at 8:02PM

I took out a capped rate tariff with Scottish Power for 3 years which runs till May 2007 when I get a £30 odd cash back, so a capped rate deal has been good for me!
The powergen Age Concern tariff was the best value round here (East Midlands) when I checked the other week. Never had any problems with their billing personally but I realise that a lot of people have.

Will prices continue to rise? Of course not, and Tony Blair always tells the truth.

alkip · 22 February 2006 at 8:21PM

Hello just my ten penneth worth here. I'm currently with BG having changed to them from Powergen. Powergen were constantly changing my DD without informing me, always used estimated readings even after I'd phoned with a correct reading, took about 6 attempts to get my title and address correct plus their customer service phone line, although a free number, was abysmally staffed.

I too have been considering changing following BGs announcement of the price increase, soon to be followed by other providers no doubt. I'll probably go to a capped service (wish that I had taken BG up on their offer a few months back) as Martin suggests but I am unsure as to which one. When everything is taken into consideration customer service is important, even if it adds a little bit to the price and I can't fault BG so there's no urgency. I may as well wait for the deals which are offered as a result of the latest round of pay hikes.

exil · 22 February 2006 at 8:42PM

penrhyn wrote:

I took out a capped rate tariff with Scottish Power for 3 years which runs till May 2007 when I get a £30 odd cash back, so a capped rate deal has been good for me!
The powergen Age Concern tariff was the best value round here (East Midlands) when I checked the other week. Never had any problems with their billing personally but I realise that a lot of people have.

Will prices continue to rise? Of course not, and Tony Blair always tells the truth.

What have electricity and gas prices to do with Tony Blair? These are private companies.

Anyway, in the long term, and I mean 20 to 30 years, the price of all forms of energy is likely to go up. Demand is rising worldwide, and supplies will be very unlikely to keep up.

As to what will happen in the next 6/12/18 months, nobody really knows.

penrhyn · 23 February 2006 at 9:36AM

I was being ironic exil.
However the war in the middle east was all about oil and I don't think we we told the truth about that, and the ongoing instability affects the markets.

tigger2 · 23 February 2006 at 6:06PM

Found Scottish power good for thier capped tariff moving from powergen. power gen will do anything to muddy the water, After checking the units etc they can,t touch SP but be quick things change on March 1st.

tigger2 · 23 February 2006 at 6:07PM

Found Scottish power good for thier capped tariff moving from powergen. power gen will do anything to muddy the water, After checking the units etc they can,t touch SP but be quick things change on March 1st.

djohn2002uk · 23 February 2006 at 6:18PM

I have found Scottish Power capped rate to be good too over the last 15 months.
I would advise not to go beyond 2007 though as the price fixing on the continent should be sorted before then and you "Might" see a drop in prices.
If you are going to go for a capped price with Scottish Power, don't hang about or they will be rising following British Gas.

Better add that there is no penalty for leaving Scottish Power mid term but I believe there is with BG.

tigger2 · 23 February 2006 at 7:25PM

I made sure about being able to get out it is only 28 days notice if prices drop

ahll · 23 February 2006 at 7:50PM

The Scottish Power capped rate doesnt come up all as a recommended move for me from BG. I used the energyhelpline website as recommended on here. Can anyone give me a reason as to why that wouldnt come up if people in here think it is a good option ?

Is it just because the people who suggested it were changing from Powergen ?
Strangely enough Powergen can up as the best for me to swop to both standard and capped rates !

tigger2 · 23 February 2006 at 8:01PM

Because SP has an price rise on March 1st I think it has been taken away from the web sites If you want it ring them up before March 1st

The Future Of Gas & Elec Prices

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