switch suggested to BG websaver 2 ?

JackRS

Currently both Gas (£57/mth) and Electric (£60/mth) with Southern Electric.

Moneysupermarket comparison calculates an annual saving of £170 by switching to BG websaver 2 (plus £30 cash back)

Are there any catches or things to consider with this switch proposal?

1carminestocky

Unless you get your actual annual usage in kwhs and enter those figures into the switching sites, any results they spew out are likely to be nonsrensical, TBH. Your existing supplier is legally obliagted to give you the figures if you ring them and ask. HTH.

Cardew

Firstly what you pay by Direct Debit is unimportant. Don't forget moneysupermarket have a vested interest in you switching suppliers as they get commission.

You need to enter your annual consumption in kWh to get any accuracy for the comparison.

That said it is entirely possible that BG websaver or one of the internet tariffs will give you that sort of saving. Try several comparison websites.

However when you have found the cheapest supplier, there are ways of getting more cashback.

BG have a small penalty(£30?) if you leave too soon.

JackRS

Yeah it's ok I actually did the comparison using meter readings for full 12 months usage. I realise what I currently pay with SE was set based on Novemebr last year so not representative.

1carminestocky

JackRS wrote: »

Yeah it's ok I actually did the comparison using meter readings for full 12 months usage. I realise what I currently pay with SE was set based on Novemebr last year so not representative.

In that case the figures will be more accurate. But check them again on energyhelpline, just to be sure. Please also be aware that BG state in the small print that they will charge you £60 (£30 leccy and £30 gas) if you leave the Websaver2 tariff before the end of 2009. Maybe summat to bear in mind?

Nothing to stop you going through a cashback site like Quidco/topcashback and earning even more cashback than through moneysupermarket.

Cozworth806

Bear in mind that the way and the amount you use your gas/electric over the summer months have a bearing too.
If you use a fairly standard amount then the switch sites will be accurate, but if like me you use a low amount between April and September then the higher the tier 1 amounts the more you will pay. If that is the case then look at the difference between tier 1 and 2.

JackRS

Not sure I follow that tier 1 & 2 bit? I'm using the annual usage that historically is what we use for a full 12 month period. So obviously yes much less between April and September but the total is representative of the whole year? However maybe you're refering to companies that charge differently depending on how much you use monthly or something?

Cardew

JackRS wrote: »

Not sure I follow that tier 1 & 2 bit? I'm using the annual usage that historically is what we use for a full 12 month period. So obviously yes much less between April and September but the total is representative of the whole year? However maybe you're refering to companies that charge differently depending on how much you use monthly or something?

In the past companies made a 'standing charge' of xxp per day and then you were charged xp for each kWh - that applied to both electricity and gas.

Now the majority of tariffs have abandoned the daily standing charge and instead impose a two tier charging system.

You are charged a higher rate for the first yy kWh a year and a lower rate for the rest - the higher rate is Tier 1 and the lower rate is Tier 2. These are sometimes referred to as 'Primary' and 'Secondary' units.

With one notable exception(Npower) the Tier 1 units are charged pro-rata on a daily basis.

Cozworth was making the point that some customers use very little gas in the summer(some even switch off their gas) so are not charged for many/any Tier 1 units.

I suspect that this only applies to very low users, most of us use all the Tier 1 units for hot water.

JackRS

Thanks I'll look out for that!

bristol_pilot

The catch is BG's appalling customer service - be prepared for threatening letters saying you are going to be taken to court for bills that you have already paid, threatened with bailiffs etc. Barge pole, wild horses etc etc

JackRS

OK so as ever sometimes these savings are not always worth the hassle and can sometimes not work out as a saving etc. Just want to ensure I know all the facts so thanks for your views!