Comparison Sites - are they accurate?

jalexa

The Consumer Focus Confidence Code which governs the accredited websites can be found here... http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/files/2010/12/New-Confidence-Code.pdf

If the intent is that within a day of a price change all accredited websites will be accurate I would say something isn't working. Not sure what as I don't have the time right now to investigate.

Atidi

MrGSaves wrote: »

I've put the same data into 3 different comparison sites to find out the best energy tariff. They generally rank the best deals in the same order but the amount of savings vary considerably.
Eg. Which? comparison = £222.70 saving with EON tariff
Moneysupermarket = £431.16 saving with EON tariff
U Switch = £363 saving with EON tariff

I've double checked the input data and there are no errors.
Is there a reason for this that I'm not aware of. The outcomes of the comparisons will obviously affect my decision of whether to switch or not.
Thanks

I think you've done something incorrect.

The results I get from all 3 sites consistently show, in order, the following suppliers/tariffs cheaper than Eon Energy Discount (£2184 per year, or £2194 per year excluding the £10 per year online discount that uSwitch does not include)

Spark Advance (£1966.56)
First Utility iSave (£2029.86)
nPower Energy Online Jan 2014 (£2149.31)

The other issue that you have is that your current supplier, Atlantic, give those who pay monthly by DD, a rebate in the 13th month of 1 month's payment, as you are probably aware.
How comparison sites handle this is always an issue. Some include it as an equivalent 8.33% discount, whilst others do not as it requires you to be a customer longer than 12 months to get the rebate.

Which includes this rebate giving you a current annual cost of £2428, whilst Moneysupermarket & uSwitch do not reflecting in a current annual cost of £2638

This £210 rebate difference relates to a lower £244 saving according to Which (as it includes the rebate you currently receive) or £454 saving according to Moneysupermarket which does not include the £210 rebate you receive from Atlantic

uSwitch which also does not include the £210 rebate in their calculation, but also fails to include the £10 saving from Eon for online handling, shows the saving as £444 (or actually £442 because of some rounding I have done)

HTH explain things

... but you'd save even more switching to one of the 3 cheaper suppliers

bagz_2

MrGSaves wrote: »

I've not switched for quite a few years so expect to make some savings.
Ok - the input data is

Currently with Atlantic on Standard On Line tariff using 8655 KWh of Elecy and 31669 KWh of gas.

What do you think?

31,669 kWh.....Over how many years !!!!

Is this correct?

i've only used 8000 in last 12 months

macman

MrGSaves wrote: »

Yes, it is a worry! Have recently upgraded washer and drier to energy efficient ones (from very old units that seem to be on every day) - will hopefully feel some benefit from that. Have also got the kids engaged in 'turn it off' campaign.

The region is Leeds (LS8) Yorkshire.

I think something is moire wrong here than over-use of w/m and t/d...
Your gas consumption is also more than twice the national average.
What size of property is this, and what sort of insulation do you have installed?

MrGSaves

Thanks for all the responses. Your responses are shocking me into further action!!

You are right to point out two separate issues. I'm trying to reduce significantly both consumption and unit costs. The house is a three storey plus cellar Victorian semi. Condensing Vaillant boiler has had major rebuild so maybe gas consumption will come down too. I think wastage remains a big issue though. (halogen bulbs everywhere probably don't help) Family effort needed on that one. (energy monitor up and running)
Insulation? I'm heading into the loft this weekend. I think the minimal is up there. 50% sash windows remain - these have had Ventrolla insulation installed. The rest are double-glazed. Drafts do come up through the cellar despite sealant and carpets.

As for the accuracy of comparison sites your explanations are really helpful. Atidi and jalexa:)
I did have the other providers in the top ranking positions as well but used the E.ON saving as an illustration of the differences in savings I was seeing between the sites.
Just one last thing... the two top suppliers Spark and First Utility - is there any reason not to go with small/little known suppliers?

Atidi

MrGSaves wrote: »

is there any reason not to go with small/little known suppliers?

Unless you have a reason not to go with them, then as they are cheaper, and this site is all about moneysaving, why wouldn't you??? :huh:

macman

If you have less than 270mm loft insulation then that is your priority-you are just burning banknotes otherwise.
Do a forum search on both Spark and FU and you may well change your mind.

Atidi

macman wrote: »

...Do a forum search on both Spark and FU and you may well change your mind.

If that's the criteria, I would also suggest the OP also does a forum search on each of the big 6, before making their final decision

macman

FU were the worst rated small supplier in the recent Which survey, and appear to have specific issues with their billing.
Spark are notorious for baying bungs to landlords and agents to entice the gullible studenrt market, and appear to block any attempts made by customers to leave them, on very dubious grounds.

Atidi

I don't think the reports/feedback for nPower on this site are very good either