Why don't they simply mention unit cost?

movilogo

All energy comparison sites I have seen, just ask questions like how much do you spend a month etc. and then at the end says how much money you could save.

Why don't they simply mention what unit price each company charges - so that I can just see at a glance who is the cheapest?

KimYeovil

If you have to ask this question, then you are one of the one's who would be suckered and swindled in to a switch by such a simplistic table.

Which is not to say that such information should not be provided after you have provided some typical consumption information. But if you think you can see 'at a glance' the cheapest, then look again at the tariffs you do track down.

But the sites should improve their presentation. A table with, say, Tier 1 premiums converted to monthly payments and explicitly saying what the monthly reductions (for prompt payment or dual fuel or mdd) would be useful. (And better than the current forced strategy of having to open multiple browser windows with the different tariffs in them.)

logi_uk

movilogo wrote: »

All energy comparison sites I have seen, just ask questions like how much do you spend a month etc. and then at the end says how much money you could save.

Why don't they simply mention what unit price each company charges - so that I can just see at a glance who is the cheapest?

I've often wondered this... If they just gave the raw data and how they band first units together for higher charges etc, Im more than capable to work out for myself which would be best for me..

Cardew

movilogo wrote: »

Why don't they simply mention what unit price each company charges - so that I can just see at a glance who is the cheapest?

You need to first ask yourself why these comparison sites exist; and then you have the answer.

They don't want to make it easy for you or anyone else to find out who is cheapest. They want you to switch regardless of the advantages or disadvantages(20% switch to a more expensive tariff) so they get their commission.

They are not some public spirited organisation, but commercial companies whose income is derived from commission.

That apart, it is not simple to have such a table of prices as you suggest. The utility companies use 'confusion marketing' to make it difficult to work out exact annual costs.

e.g. Daily standing charge, Tier1/tier2, different tier 1 allocations, geographic variations in prices for gas and electricity, seasonal weighting, discounts for Direct Debit, Standing Order, Prompt payment, Dual fuel, loyalty bonus, etc etc

Plushchris

movilogo wrote: »

All energy comparison sites I have seen, just ask questions like how much do you spend a month etc. and then at the end says how much money you could save.

Why don't they simply mention what unit price each company charges - so that I can just see at a glance who is the cheapest?

They do, click on the tariff name on energyhelpline and it gives you the unit rates! :rolleyes:

Also, if you just looked at unit rates on a chart you would almost definately end up on an unsuitable tariff as the unit rates are only part of the story, you have to factor in the discounts, which can range from £X per year paid anually to X% off your unit rates.

Try figuring out the way BG applies its discounts to the Click 6 tariff!

wakeupalarm

They used to provide all this information previously in downloadable pdf files from ofgem or energywatch's website until about 2003 or 2004.

2latenow

KimYeovil wrote: »

If you have to ask this question, then you are one of the one's who would be suckered and swindled in to a switch by such a simplistic table.

You are quite possibly being unfair on the OP. If the OP thinks a simple single figure will provide a comparison of all vendors then you're on the mark.

However, I think slowly (very slowly, too slowly) people are starting to understand energy charging a little but more than in the past.

Once you understand first tier & second tier units, a "premium charge" to remove the standing charge etc,. then it would be more useful to have a table listing the unit prices rather than the "comparison site".

Though whilst I reckon a lot more people are savvy, I'm sure it's still a tiny minority so can't see why the energy companies would provide it if they can help it.

Personally I use the checker website... then look in detail at the top 5-6 suppliers, using the units rates quoted on the additional info pages. So the info is there, it's just not as easily available as would be nice.

jd87

Energyhelpline tell you the rates, but the problem is they vary from region to region, and they aren't easy to compare because the different primary/secondary rates.

KimYeovil

Where do Energyhelpline tell you the rates rather than on the usual pop-ups on the results page?