Rough idea of rates

duncan32

Hello,

I hope this question doesn't come across as stupid or lazy, but I have had a look on the comparison site for gas and electricity and it strikes me that I'd just like to know roughly what the unit price is.

I am currently on Powergen capped until Jan 2007.

My rates are GAS: 2.596 per kwh (primary units) and 1.717 (secondary).

ELECTRICITY: Day primary 12.25 per kwh and day secondary 7.95 and night units 3.22.

I have had a letter telling me I will now change to Price Protection 2010, with new rates that are so much higher:

GAS: 4.11 primary and 2.83 secondary

ELECTRICITY: 19.75 primary, 10.67 secondary and 4.58 night rate.

It seems to me that this represents a huge increase.

Would anyone be able to give me a rough idea of what their unit rates are, please? For comparison, I have a small 3 bedroom detached house, with two small kids and me and my wife.

I think it would be a help to have some guidance on what to expect before going through the procedure to change suppliers.

One other things. I have £127.38 credit on electricity and £222.05 credit on the gas. Is it straightforward to get this back if you switch?

Thanks in advance!

Duncan:T

Cardew

Well for Electricity it varies across the country and only you know where you live!! Just look at some sites and you will see all the rates.

For gas Ebico are the lowest(or close to it) and they charge 2.55p/kWh for all units - no tier1/tier2/standing charge; but again why not look at sites.

You are correct that there has been a huge hike in gas/electricty prices over the last year.

Bear in mind that you have been offered a rate fixed for the next 3 years. You can most certainly find cheaper rates - but will they be cheaper in 2010? - nobody knows!!

You will get back your credit balances if you switch - but with the chaotic organisation in most of the accounting departments I doubt it will be 'straightforward'. If you are going to change supplier it might be an idea to stop your DD now to use up some credit,

Last thing - why are you on Economy 7 when you have gas? It is very difficult to make E7 pay with Gas CH(but not impossible)

duncan32

Hi Cardew,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regarding the economy 7 thing, I don't think I am on it. I think they add the 2 rates together or something?

Anyway, I spent a very productive couple of hours today (whilst I should have been working!?) looking through the comparison site, noting the kwh rates. It became a toss up between moving to NPOWER and staying with POWERGEN (but not on the capped rate they were going to put me on).

When I consider the tesco points (should get just over £10.00 a year, which I will x 4 to £40.00) and the 16% discount I can get on the Energy Online Winter Discount rates (direct debit, dual fuel and extra on top for a year), it works out about the same to stay with Powergen.

I am thinking that because I have c. £340.00 in credit with them (and am worried that this will go "missing" in confusing figures if I switched), I will stay with them. I am just going to request the full amount of credit back as a cheque and ensure that I am paying the correct direct debit amount (which I know pretty well after today's figure juggling!)

This leads me onto another issue, that I'd appreciate advice on. When I was checking my last 1/4 bill today (more carefully than I have ever checked a bill before) I noticed that I had only received a 6% discount on the amount. Now, it should have been 9%. So, I am wondering how long this has been going on for and where I stand. I told the lady on the telephone and she hesitated for a bit and then started saying that she knew there was a problem with the discount for the last 1/4 only. Sounded like a load of crock to me. I was wondering whether I could insist that Powergen supply me with copies of my bill for the last two years or something? Hmmm, got a feeling I'm going to lose out there....

Anyway, thought I'd post my progress, if you're interested.

Take care,

Duncan

Cardew

ELECTRICITY: Day primary 12.25 per kwh and day secondary 7.95 and night units 3.22.

If thats what your bill states then you are on Economy 7. Night units means Economy 7; and you pay a higher day rate if you are on an Economy 7 tariff.

You will have to apply for a normal(i.e. non Economy 7 tariff) and that might mean getting a new meter.

tripled

If you phone up and asked, they would probably send the statements to you for free.

Regarding the E7 - what Cardew said ^^