Can someone confirm my logic here - new to all this

jonny2510

Got my second gas / eleccy bill today, after living in our first house (2 of us in a 2 bed semi) for 5 months now. We're £70 in debit now (I'm guessing this is to be expected, going through Autumn / Winter). Anyhoo, figured I should have enough info / data to use a price comparison service, and have a few q's. I've never switched before, and just signed up to the current provider when we bought the house (Powergen)

I tried the comparison services based on the 2 bills I've recieved so far from Powergen

Gas Usage: Aug & Sept - 1452 kWh (est 8712 kWh per annum)
Electricity Usage: Aug & Sept - 325 kWh (est 1950 kWh per annum)

Gas Usage: Oct, Nov & Dec 4278 kWh (est 17112 kWh per annum)
Electricity Usage: Oct, Nov & Dec - 792 kWh (est 3168 kWh per annum)

Gas Usage: Aug - Dec inclusive - 5730 kWh (est 13752 kWh per annum)
Electricity Usage: Aug - Dec inclusive - 1187 kWh (est 2680 kWh per annum)

In each of the three comparisons, Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 2 came up cheapest.

Can we assume from the above, that this would seem the most suitable to go for? (Just wanna check I'm not missing anything obvious)

This product has a standing charge of approx 26p per day for both the gas and electricity combined. Are these standing charges standard, or something to be avoided (I can't help feeling I'll be anoyed when on holiday knowing I'll be paying for gas and electricity services i'm not using!!!)?

Will the comparisons take into account the 9% dual fuel discount I currently get with powergen?

Any other comments / advice would also be greatly appreciated

Cardew

I think your logic is sound enough.

The standing charge is not really an issue as most* companies either have a daily charge or you pay extra for the first units in a quarter(normally 225/1143kWh for elect/gas) so it works out the same unless you have a very small consumption in one quarter.

The comparison sites should take into account all discounts etc.

* Ebico who you will see a lot of posts about charge neither a daily charge or a higher price for the first units. They are particularly good for the low user(which you are) so it is worth checking them as not all comparison sites include Ebico.

Just a word of warning - you can do all your Homework and get it spot on and then the company you choose can put up the prices.

oldwiring

TBH one has to expereience before one knows what xonsumption over a long period is likely to turn out at. There are so many variables, weather, what you cook with and what you heat with are IMO the most important. In my case we heat with gas and have a gas hob, but our main cooling is dine electric. Our modest 3 bed link det uses 19000 kWh of gas and 3450 kWh electric. Perecentage wise in quarters ending mid Feb, May, Aug, NOv electric cosmption has been 30,31,18,21 and gas 32,4,18,46.

jonny2510

Ebico are close on each of them, but Scottish Power seems to keep winning.

It does seem to base it's prices on the following though

"Dual fuel discount of £10.50 per year Online discount of £63 per year "

Does that mean I'll need to stay with them for 1 full year to get the full lot, or will it be £73.50/12 discount each month?

masonic

I would think the dual fuel discount would probably not be paid until the end of the year, but the 'online discount' might be split up so that you receive a proportion during each billing period. You'd have to look at the T&Cs to know for sure.