Moving provider twice a year

klint

I understand from reading other articles that, as long as you don't enter into a fixed-term contract, you are allowed to switch energy supplier as often as you like. I have this idea that I'd like to get your opinion on.

I'm a low user and during the summer, almost all of my usage falls within the expensive Tier 1. During the winter, my usage is a little more, and half of my usage falls into Tier 1 and the other half (or more) falls into the cheaper Tier 2.

I'm renting a flat at the moment, with the intention of buying a house in two years and possibly first moving into a cheaper flat in about nine months' time. Thus, I'm not interested in fixing my rate or entering into any fixed-term contract as I'm not sure how long I'm going to stay here.

My idea is to switch to Ebico during the summer, as it charges a flat rate with no standing charge, so their unit price is lower than any other company's Tier 1 rate (or any company's flat rate plus standing charge). For the winter months, I would switch to a provider such as Atlantic, which has a cheap Tier 2 rate in my area that is much cheaper than Ebico. And then back to Ebico again in the summer.

It may even be possible to change supplier four times a year, using a company that is cheapest for medium usage during spring and autumn. And, for course, changing four times a year means you get four times the £30 cashback from comparison sites.

Has anyone ever tried that? Is there a catch?

DirectDebacle

Compare Ebico to npower Standard Tariff.

npower Tier 1 rate is much higher but from May to Sept inclusive there is only 46 kWh usage required for each month at Tier 1, the remainder at Tier 2.

Tier 2 prices are lower than Ebico flat rate (for my region).

bengasman

Tiered tariffs are there to confuse users.
On the whole, if you can be bothered to change at the right moments, you are best off with a "no standing charge" during low use, and the lowest kWh price from any supplier on a straight tariff in winter.

t0rt0ise

If you take the cheapest option for the winter you will have to pay to get out of the contract when you leave for the summer. If you take a standard option with no get out fee, you are likely to be paying more anyway. So its swings and roundabouts really.