How to find cheapest tariff for low/fixed income users?

sueshells

Have just heard from npower that my Spreading Warmth tariff will rise on November 1st 2011 by 11.9% for electricity and 18.7% for gas. I have found it very difficult to locate and compare the lower rate tariffs for people on low or fixed incomes on price comparison sites. Is there a straightforward way to find the best deal, please?

Premier_2

You need to use a comparison site.

There is no comparison site available for social tariffs as eligibility criteria by different lenders varies. You will have to contact each one separately. However, the social tariffs are not always the cheapest anyway, and if you take advantage of the best tariffs available to those with credit meters (e.g. monthly DD, paperless billing, etc) then the mainstream tariffs often beat the social tariffs.

sueshells

Thanks for the reply. I will have a look at the comparison sites again, taking into account what you've said about the different rates.

savemoney

I found two sites that do social tariff or at least my tariff Essentials to compare with other tarrifs but not unfortunately for all social tarrifs because as said each have different critera

http://energy.energychoices.co.uk

and

http://www.ukpower.co.uk

Both work for British Gas essential tariff for use as a comparison to other tariffs. I found that they cheaper than Essentials tariff and can save up to £167 (plus cashback) provided I pay as I do now by DD and get internet bills which I do now as well. I dont think social tariffs are any cheaper than say internet based ones

It helps having your projected yearly usage which should be on your bill

cally6008

Ebico .......

Premier_2

cally6008 wrote: »

Ebico .......

Yes they are on all the comparison sites

Whether they are the cheapest for the OP, well the comparison site will say. (Unless the OP is a very low user, then they won't be the cheapest)

wakeupalarm

Another thing that the comparison sites don't seem to show is the IGT charge that some suppliers charge. Why it is so difficult to implement a simple check box to say you are in an IGT area is anyones guess.