British Gas - Standing Charge

smidgey

British Gas has today brought back the standing charge. The standard tariff is replaced by the Clear & Simple tariff. No existing customers will be forced off the current standard tariff but customers can opt to switch to Clear & Simple if they wish.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/our-energy-tariffs.html?bglink_id=imm10003

It's also worth mentioning that the DD discount is now presented in the form of cheaper unit prices as opposed to an actual credit to the bill.

Terrylw1

By cheaper unit price, does it essentially force you to stay longer than you would off by getting the old payment?

zerog

Terrylw1 wrote: »

By cheaper unit price, does it essentially force you to stay longer than you would off by getting the old payment?

No, the discounts were applied daily

DD_discount wrote:

Up to £67 saving. Direct Debit gas customers will receive a discount off your Tier 2 consumption charges of 0.196 p/kWh, up to a maximum of £27 per year pro rated across your billing period. Direct Debit electricity customers will receive a discount off Tier 2 consumption rates (and night rates where applicable) of 1.873 p/kWh up to a maximum of £40 per year pro-rated across your billing period.

Dual_Fuel_discount wrote:

Where we supply gas and electricity to the same customer at the same property you'll receive one Dual Fuel discount. Where electricity is supplied through a credit meter, a discount of 0.704 p/kWh off Tier 2 rates (and night rates where applicable) up to a maximum of £15 per year pro-rated across your billing period appears on your bill.

These were applied separately from the main bill calculation, but before VAT.

Having got a quote on the new tariffs, it looks like there is still a dual fuel discount of £15, which effectively works out to be 2.0548p off the standing charge per fuel.

However, the new best tariff (Online Variable) is more expensive than the previous best tariff (Online Energy)

Percy1983

The costs do seem marginal, higher usage will be cheaper on the new tariff.

rogerblack

If we're encouraging people to use less energy, it would seem logical to abolish the standing charge, and wrap it into the unit charge.

Intolerant_Goth

I was with British Gas until my Fixed period ended in May. I converted to Sainsburys Energy as it was a cheaper fixed deal, still managed by British Gas and I get the Nectar Points.

We've recently had solar panels installed and so the gas boiler has been off this summer and the electric immersion heater has been put into service for heating the water.

I'm a bit miffed to find that ALL of British Gas's tariffs (and also Sainsburys Energy's) have a Daily Standing Charge.

So next year, when my existing Fixed tariff ends, I'm crossing my fingers that there's a decent NSC tariff still out there, 'cos why should I pay a daily charge for Gas when I'm not using it for 3-4 months of the year ?!!!

zerog

Intolerant_Goth wrote: »

So next year, when my existing Fixed tariff ends, I'm crossing my fingers that there's a decent NSC tariff still out there, 'cos why should I pay a daily charge for Gas when I'm not using it for 3-4 months of the year ?!!!

It doesn't really matter whether the standing charge is included overtly or hidden in Tier 1 rates. Just go with whatever seems to be the cheapest for your annual consumption.