Switching gas supplier for winter & summer

DragonQ

Theoretically, would it not be cheaper for most people with gas central heating to switch to a low-user tariff in the summer, and then switch back to a medium/high-user tariff in the winter? For example, Ebico is easily the cheapest for me overall but there are other tariffs that are cheaper if I just consider the winter months. Just checked and, personally, I would only save ~£35 over a year if I switched to a different gas tariff in October time.

Does anyone do this? Is it viable or are there downsides I'm not considering?

Wywth

DragonQ wrote: »

Theoretically, would it not be cheaper for most people with gas central heating to switch to a low-user tariff in the summer, and then switch back to a medium/high-user tariff in the winter? For example, Ebico is easily the cheapest for me overall but there are other tariffs that are cheaper if I just consider the winter months. Just checked and, personally, I would only save ~£35 over a year if I switched to a different gas tariff in October time.

Does anyone do this? Is it viable or are there downsides I'm not considering?

Theoretically yes, but most of the best deals tie you in for a year or more and charge you early exit fees.

The early exit fees may be able to be offset by cashback obtained via switching

Personally I couldn't be bothered, but if I was I would probably concentrate on being a cashback tart, rather than trying to save the odd pound or two by seasonal optimumisation of tariffs.

DragonQ

Wywth wrote: »

Theoretically yes, but most of the best deals tie you in for a year or more and charge you early exit fees.

The early exit fees may be able to be offset by cashback obtained via switching

Personally I couldn't be bothered, but if I was I would probably concentrate on being a cashback tart, rather than trying to save the odd pound or two by seasonal optimumisation of tariffs.

I see. Do the cashback sites pay out each time if you switch often though? I'd have thought they'd catch on, or have some rule like you can only claim it once a year.

macman

What you'd gain in cheaper seasonal rates and cashback would be wiped out by the higher tariff required (usually Standard). Most discount tariffs have an ETC, though not all.
Why on earth would the cashback sites object to you switching more than once a year? Every time you switch, they get a commission. Your cashback is ultimately paid by the utility co., not the cashback site. They just take their cut and pass on the rest.

notbritishgas

I think the problem would be forcasting which day summer would fall on.:rotfl:

DragonQ

macman wrote: »

What you'd gain in cheaper seasonal rates and cashback would be wiped out by the higher tariff required (usually Standard). Most discount tariffs have an ETC, though not all.
Why on earth would the cashback sites object to you switching more than once a year? Every time you switch, they get a commission. Your cashback is ultimately paid by the utility co., not the cashback site. They just take their cut and pass on the rest.

Well OK, in that case the utility companies could still get wise if someone is switching to them and then away again every year. I guess that's unlikely if it's all done via cashback sites though.

notbritishgas wrote: »

I think the problem would be forcasting which day summer would fall on.:rotfl:

True. You'd never be able to get it exactly optimised but even if you took a rough guess at "winter" being October-March you'd still save money (how much obviously depends on your usage, particularly in winter).

Wywth

DragonQ wrote: »

I see. Do the cashback sites pay out each time if you switch often though? I'd have thought they'd catch on, or have some rule like you can only claim it once a year.

There is more than one cashback site ... and they all have their own terms