Gas & electricity raw data - where do comparison sites get their info from?

okay79

Hi all,

I was wondering where comparison sites get their information from and if the raw data is available to us? It wouldn't hurt to be able to verify the prices they give (actually this might help clear up some of the confusion when different sites give different recommendations), also I am interested in seeing what I and others could do with the information (making info-graphics and the like).

Any ideas, anyone?

Cheers,

Okay79

Cardew

You can get most tariffs by typing in a postcode on a comparison website for each of the UK districts.

Several people have tried to produce spreadsheets - and IMO failed!

The rates vary by region in UK,

there are hundreds of tariffs, tier1 tier2, daily charge, pre-pay, economy 7 economy 10, heatwise etc etc etc,

hundreds of discounts for DD, dual fuel standing order, prompt payment, - per kWh, fixed per month, quarter, year, percentage per month.

Npower have seasonal weighting.

UW have club membership fees and low/medium/high user.

First Utility have some unique tariffs with varying charges during the day.

So many many thousands of combinations - that change on an almost daily basis.

brewerdave

I've built my own (simple)spdsheets - one half of the sheet allows me to compare 2 rate supplies(no standing charge) with variable splits beteween 1st and 2nd rate; the other half deals with standing charge options. I can then apply any discounts to the expected mthly payment.
Have to admit I normally only compare 1 or 2 tariffs at a time vs my existing tariff - I then scribble the expected saving(?) on a piece of paper!!

tazareth

I've produced a spreadsheet and just posted my first thread about it. Trouble is I'm classed as a new poster so I can't put a link on to my spreadsheet. I think once I've been registered for a day or two I'll be able to put it on.

okay79

Thanks everyone. If you'd like to share your spreadsheet too, brewerdave, we could combine them and put our efforts together?

I'm still wondering how the comparisons sites get the data; are they scraping the energy suppliers sites, or do they have some deal with them? Any ideas on that?