which electric tariff to use with solar panels

keith_r59

noncom wrote: »

Agreed, you pay a premium for using a Genuine Green supplier, instead of a Greenwashed tariff from one of the big six, or simply going for the cheapest.

I disagree that my decision disqualifies me from being a Money Saving Expert, as your post implies. (Although I don't claim to be one, but I do use this site a lot to help save money where appropriate)

Surely "Expert" implies knowledge, not a particular course of action. I know enough about fuel tariffs to understand that Clean energy costs more, and that I could save maybe around £150 per year by adopting another deal. However, I am a human being with broader interests and concerns than simply saving money, and so decide in this instance not to do so.

How many of the "Money Saving Experts" here have an iPhone or a Galaxy S2 simply because they're fantastic? How many people have Sky or Cable? How many drive the most fuel efficient car, instead of the one they liked best?

For me, the Money Saving Expert website is about us all becoming more informed about choices we can make as consumers to avoid over-paying for things. Paying more from one supplier or manufacturer for a product which can be had cheaper elsewhere is what this site should help us to avoid. Paying more for something because I decide it is better or more desirable than something cheaper is entirely different.

I'm not criticising you for using Ecotricity just pointing out that it is considerably more expensive than using the dual fuel tariffs being offered by the other suppliers, and is probably not the best solution bearing in mind the original poster's question.

If someone asks for money saving advice then my original response stands and that is to use the well known energy price comparison web sites and make your own choice based upon your own circumstances and personal preferences.

macman

Ecotricity is not a premium price product. It's a standard price product. What Ecotricity do not offer is any form of discount tariff.

noncom_2

keith_r59 wrote: »

I'm not criticising you for using Ecotricity just pointing out that it is considerably more expensive than using the dual fuel tariffs being offered by the other suppliers, and is probably not the best solution bearing in mind the original poster's question.

If someone asks for money saving advice then my original response stands and that is to use the well known energy price comparison web sites and make your own choice based upon your own circumstances and personal preferences.

The only reason I brought up Ecotricity in the first place was that someone mentioned that they weren't aware of a supplier who would directly credit the FITs to their electricity account. My supplier does, even though there's actually precious little benefit in doing so.

I never claimed there weren't cheaper deals. My posts are quite clear - Ecotricity is more expensive than the cheapest deals out there, although in my opinion the difference is justified.

I also believe that if someone posts something in the "Green And Ethical" sub-section, rather than the "Utilities" sub-section, they may actually be interested in the wider issues surrounding their choice of supplier and its Green credentials.

I am interested in saving money, but it is not the only thing I am interested in. I see no reason to assume I am unique in this.

keith_r59

macman wrote: »

Ecotricity is not a premium price product. It's a standard price product. What Ecotricity do not offer is any form of discount tariff.

Which is why, from a purely money saving perspective, I would never recommend them or any other standard tariff.

keith_r59

noncom wrote: »

The only reason I brought up Ecotricity in the first place was that someone mentioned that they weren't aware of a supplier who would directly credit the FITs to their electricity account. My supplier does, even though there's actually precious little benefit in doing so.

I never claimed there weren't cheaper deals. My posts are quite clear - Ecotricity is more expensive than the cheapest deals out there, although in my opinion the difference is justified.

I also believe that if someone posts something in the "Green And Ethical" sub-section, rather than the "Utilities" sub-section, they may actually be interested in the wider issues surrounding their choice of supplier and its Green credentials.

I am interested in saving money, but it is not the only thing I am interested in. I see no reason to assume I am unique in this.

I was the person who mentioned I wasn't aware of a supplier who would direct their FIT payments to their electricity account and as I have never heard of Ecotricity before I went on their web site to see what they offered.

Having seen how expensive they were compared to my existing dual fuel supplier I simply commented that you have to pay quite a lot more to use a green energy supplier. I didn't expect existing Ecotricity customers to take such offence at me pointing out the obvious so I think I will leave it there as we appear to be going round in circles.

macman

keith_r59 wrote: »

Which is why, from a purely money saving perspective, I would never recommend them or any other standard tariff.

That's the important part.

noncom_2

keith_r59 wrote: »

I didn't expect existing Ecotricity customers to take such offence at me pointing out the obvious so I think I will leave it there as we appear to be going round in circles.

Don't worry. I'm not offended in the slightest. Just love a good debate that's all! I agree that we've probably exhausted the interest in this particular discussion. Good luck finding your tariff.