Confused as to whether to go dual fuel or not. Help....

sec79

Hi

I'm with Scottish Power (price protection 15) and don't want to move onto their capped rate, so I'm looking to move.

According to uswitch, the best dual fuel package is with EDF, estimated cost £411 per year. Electricity is 12.9p per kwh then 8.09p above 900kwh per annum. Gas is 5.18p per kwh then 8.01p above 900 kwh per annum. Discount with dual fuel is £25.20 per annum, and I'd get £60 via quidco.I've looked at using different providers for gas and electricity aswell.

Best electric is with Scottish Power, online energy no standing charge. 14.67p per kwh then 8.99p per kwh above 900 kwh per year. Estimated cost £200 year year.

Best gas is with Atlantic - 4.452p per pwh then 3.350p above 4572 per annum, estimated cost £258 per year. Discount direct debit of 8.5%.

I'd use more gas during the winter months as my heating is gas, and Atlantic has prices are cheaper then EDF. However the annual fuel cost with EDF is a lot lower then going with seperate provider for both gas and electricity. Plus EDF has cheaper electricity prices than Scottish Power.

I'm not sure whether I should go with EDF dual fuel, or not. Can anyone advise? My fuel bills work out to be about £480 a year. Thanks

penrhyn

First off you need to use your energy consumption figures in the comparison site s rather than the price you are currently paying (not clear from your post). I wouldn't get bogged down in the various tiers, thats what the comparison sites are supposed to work out for you.
If you want a flat rate there is always Ebico but they are uncompetitive to all but the lowest and prepayment users.
Try more than one comparison site, I tend to use energy helpline, Which? have one as well (don't know who its powered by though), and Martin lists others.
Look at the cheapest offerings but check if there are any tie in or exit fees.
Its always possible that your current supplier has a more attractive rate.

sec79

Hi
Thanks for the reply. I have just used energy helpline and it has come up with the same results as uswitch. I've decided to go with EDF energy, as overall this seems to be cheaper than paying for gas and electrcity with different providers. I will also get nectar points with EDF and the £60 cashback with Quidco. I'll just keep an eye on the bills. If they go up too much I'll just swop again early next year.

KimYeovil

Remember you can only receive EDF's electricity prices if you take both fuels from them - if you choose a cheaper gas supplier you will have to find an alternative electricity supplier. And it will not be easy to find electricity cheap enough to balance the gas.

It depends how much you use the gas. If you blindly have the heating on on timers all autumn and winter for months on end regardless of weather then you may want to look for a different tariff. But if you are sensible with the heating then the cheap electricity from EDF should more than compensate the standard gas price.