Why can't I find my tariff online?

Langtang

Hi,
I Just got a couple of letters from Scottish Hydro, saying they are increasing my monthly payments (Again - got one in August saying the same thing)

I've just been onto two main switch sites and I cannot find the tariff that I'm on at present in the dropdown boxes for comparison prices. As a result, the price comparison prices may or may not be correct.

I have searched using monthly Direct debits and also using annual consumption figures and the difference is staggering (£2400 per year usage using monthly payments versus £4500 per year using anual consumption figures (that I copied from the back of my bill, supplied by Scottish Hydro and based on the last years consumption.

My tarrif is "Domestic Standard" for Gas and "General Saver" for electric - neither of which come up in the dropdown boxes on uswitch or moneysupermarket. I resorted to using the "standard" one that did come up but not sure if that is correct.

Two Questions arise now:

Q1. How can I properly compare if my tariff isn't there (Is "standard" the same thing?)

Q2. Why such a big difference comparing monthly spend with annual useage?

macman

Tariffs that are no longer available for sign up may not be shown.
But 'Domestic Standard' is surely the same as Standard?
Using monthly DD amount means that the comp sites have to make (differing) assumptions about your actual consumption level. Annual kWh figs give the more accurate results.
Having said that, the difference cannot be that huge-which means that your monthly DD figs do not represent your actual monthly consumption. Is your account in credit or debit?
But if your usage figs are totalling £4,500pa then something is awry, unless you live in a palace. Post your kwH figs for each fuel and your region, and someone can check.

jalexa

Langtang wrote: »

Q1. How can I properly compare if my tariff isn't there (Is "standard" the same thing?)

Q2. Why such a big difference comparing monthly spend with annual useage?

To start with Q2, the answer is that energy is measured by meter reading, not Direct Debit ££s. The sooner that Consumer Focus eliminate tariff comparison by Direct Debit the better. It is a completely inept comparison.

However your Q1 is a very good question. You would not be the first person to have difficulty with this. Having looked at the Consumer Focus Confidence Code I cannot see the *exact* requirement which regulates this, though there is reference to and a definition of "historic tariffs".

My initial "opinion" is that any comparison website would display all the old tariffs *exactly* as provided to it by the Supplier if only because it would be a lot easier to do that than to change the names. I conclude the supplier (Hydro-Electric) is not providing the comparison websites the *exact* name (if at all) of all tariffs that at least one customer remains on (historic tariffs). If so, I think that discredits the comparison process. I have no idea whether that is "conspiracy or c*ck-up" by Hydro-Electric.

Up to you what you want to do about it. You could raise a formal complaint with Hydro-Electric, ask the same question of uSwitch and then bring the responses to the attention of Consumer Focus.

In relation to being on a competitive tariff, surely you can do better than being on a "standard tariff"? And any particular reason you are with a single supplier but not on a "dual-fuel" tariff?

Langtang

macman wrote: »

Post your kwH figs for each fuel and your region, and someone can check.

6525 kwH for Electric - General Saver is the tariff. (Gone from £77 to £81 pm since August, despite being £142 in credit over the year))

33020 kwH for Gas - Domestic Standard is the tariff (gone from £89 to £98 to £119 pm since August with us being £46 in credit over the year!)

Aberdeen, Scotland is the Region, Scottish Hydro is the supplier.

Langtang

jalexa wrote: »

And any particular reason you are with a single supplier but not on a "dual-fuel" tariff?

Ignorance and laziness probably, mixed in with a little confusion on the comparison websites! To defend myself slightly, these were the 2 tariffs the last owners of the house were on and we just haven't changed!

macman

Using energyhelpline, your SH spend if on Standard is £2247pa, or £187pm. So an increase to £200 is not that far out. But you can save around £334pa on the cheapest variable tariff at present.
But why is your electricity consumption so high? That's more than 50% above the average for a home with gas CH and DHW.

Airmike23

Hydro are part of sse group so put supplier as southern electric, rates are same and will alllow you to accurate online comp.

jalexa

Airmike23 wrote: »

Hydro are part of sse group so put supplier as southern electric, rates are same and will alllow you to accurate online comp.

Unfortunately the elusive electricity tariff 'general saver' is not listed under Southern Electric either.

Airmike23

Its their domestic general has both sc and nsc options