Unit electricty and gas prices

Money_Saving_Dude

OK, so this is a very silly question, but is it possible to get a list of the electricity unit prices for a kwh from each supplier? I know *exactly* how much electricity I use on a daily basis (between 20 and 30 units) so I can translate the unit price into a valid price per annum. I appreciate, from the bills I've had previously, that there may be two prices; so unilts up to X are charged at one price, and beyond that at a cheaper price. If that is the case I can still work out how many units I use over a particular period.

The same goes for gas -- where I assume one gas unit is the equivalent of 11 kwh or so.

Now I say this is a silly question because if I know the unit prices I can then do a direct comparison with each company, instead of using the 'how much do you spend per month/year?' approach. But I suppose if I can do a direct comparison that would make the game of selecting the cheapest company too easy. If this is too easy hey, the utilities may not make as much profit, so they'll do what the can to stop that.

But I ask again in the hope that I'm wrong and that I can use my ability to use a spreadsheet to get what is best *for me*!

TIA

macman

Why do people keep asking this, when the comp sites have already painstakingly compiled all the data for you? The calculaltion then takes you a couple of minutes.
Each supplier has numerous tariffs, and the unit price varies from region to region, so the permutations run into thousands. Then there are the different standing charges, loyalty bonuses, cashbacks, DD discounts, etc etc.
If you use your annual consumption figs on a comp site (not your monthly or annual spend) then they are completely accurate.
A gas unit can either be cu ft or cu m, so that's another variable for your ever-expanding spreadsheet.

Money_Saving_Dude

I ask because I want the *raw* data to allow me to decide which is the lowest value. Indeed if it means writing a program to achieve this then so be it. If you have the raw details I can't see how it can be that difficult, and it means I can apply my own methodology to compute the cheapest -- that's all I'm interested in.

If you are saying it is that difficult because they add some 'magic dust' to come up with their price, then I'd like to be aware of that so I can avoid those. If the computation is hidden 'because it is so complex' how can I be sure I'm getting the best deal?

So back to my original question -- where do I get this raw data?

KimYeovil

If you can't find the raw data yourself I don't hold up much hope for your ability to craft a workable algorithm. Uhm, there are two sources - the individual suppliers' sites and the price comparison sites. Have you tried bothering to look on either of those sources? (hint - the latter is more efficient (being in one place))

And it is a stupid question - as is the ridiculous statement that 'between 20 and 30 units per day' is 'exact' knowledge!!!

GSXR6

Phone them and ask?
Dont forget theres lots of variables including whether there is standing charges included or not, one price for the first x kwh and a price for kwh thereafter, geographical price variations etc. Its a right can of worms Im discovering.
Im not convinced the comparison sites are that accurate, have a look at my thread about Scottish Power OSE8

HappyMJ

Money_Saving_Dude wrote: »

I know *exactly* how much electricity I use on a daily basis (between 20 and 30 units)

That's a lot of electric to use in a house that also has gas. I would try and get this down and look at switching to the best tariff. Use Quidco for some money back and keep switching every 4 months or so. The cheapest company is only the cheapest until they increase the price and no company ever tops the list for being cheapest for very long. They get you in a a cheap rate, don't allow to leave without paying penalties then increase prices. So just switch between suppliers standard tariffs without leaving penalties every 4 months on Quidco and you'll save loads more than picking the best tariff. And reduce your high usage. I'm only on electric for heating and use 30kw on a cold day. Have you replaced all the lights with energy savers? Drying clothes outside/garage? Full loads in the washing machine? Turned off stuff when it isn't in use?

Money_Saving_Dude

Thanks for the positive feedback -- I seemed to have touched a nerve for some others. C'est la vie!

I have been looking on each supplier's website, but didn't find what I was looking for (unit costs like I get in my statements) hence I thought I'd ask a sane question on a reputable website. You never know, there may be a single site that lists this. Apparently not good enough for some! BTW, 20-30 *is* exact when you sum it up over a period and use that value. What was and still does worry me is that I'm asked to put in proxies into these comparison sites, not my actual usage that I read on the meter.

Hence I was hoping for a grown up discussion about alternatives -- but he invective's fine; what do I care?

Still, for the positive responses, thank you.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

any comparison sites I have checked allowed me to put in actual usage, as you get a more accurate comparison, though I do kinda agree with you about the 'magic dust'.

For prices you will just have to trawl the sites,

Scottish Power

NPower

SWALEC

there's more, but going to have a coffe now, cheers.

JasX

Its quite simple, hop onto a comparison site. Put your useage in in Annual KWH and the price pops out after a few seconds...

you can verify the absence of any magic pixie dust as selecting any tariff from the table it'll list the unit prices and break points, you can then whip out your calculator and check the sums yourself.... not forgetting to correctly apply that particular operatoors discount structure (fixed amount x off after one year, y% off pre-VAT prices, z% off post VAT prices etc etc)

macman

The unit costs are already on the comp sites, if you click on the 'more info' link on each tariff.
Do come back and tell us how you got on-probably in a couple of years...

victor2

In addition to the almost endless variety of pricing and discount structures applied to different areas of the country, is the calorific value of gas, which is a key part of the conversion from units used to kWh. The National Grid provides figures for this for the 16 different supply areas in the country on a daily basis and the billing companies use some sort if average based on that. It doesn't vary a lot, but it is historical data when it comes to billing for usage already taken and can only be estimated for future cost forecasts.

Such are the combinations of tariffs, it's a job for a database, and quite a sophisticated exercise. Still, if you get a simple way to do it, sell it to the comparison websites. It's how they make a living!