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Gas and electric yearly usage
Comments
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Did you read post 6 &7? No need to crunch any numbers, just one minute on a comp site.
You already have your annual consumption-just add your postcode.
Unit rates alone tell you nothing, as there are far too many other variables.
Obviously there could be an element of bias involved, but I would suggest post #8 is the way to go here, especially for someone who isn't au fait with comparison sites let alone the checking of small print that is required to make sure you are signing up to the correct tariff for you. If only it was as simple as a newbie inputting his/her usage figures into a comparison site and instantly switching to the one at the top. I think we have already established it's a minefield out there when it comes to gas and electric.
K.Tarshes, just provide your billing area (first part of your post code will suffice) and I for one will help you out here.0 -
It's easy - use a spreadsheet or calculator and do the sums - lets assume an annual use of 5000kw/h
5000 units at 15p = £750
5000 units with the first 900 at 20p and the rest at 10 p = 900x20p=£180 plus 4100 at 10p = £410 total = £590 (therefore a unit works out at about 11.8p
5000 units with daily standing charge of 25p and a cost of 11p a unit works out at 365x11p = £91.25 plus 5000x11p = £641.25 = (therefore a unit works out at 12.83p
so you can see that the dual tariff works out best if you use 5000 units.
Do the sums with fewer or more units and you may end up with a different result
a low user on 1500kw would pay £225 on the single rate tariff (15p/kw), £240 on the dual rate tariff (16p/kw) and £256 on the standing charge one (17.08/kw). You are better off on the single rate
Whereas a heavy user (say all electric) using 10000kw would pay £1500 on the single rate (15p/kw), £1090 on the dual rate (10.9p/kw) and £1191.25 on the standing charge tariff (11.01p/kw).
So a single rate would be quite expensive for a heavy user and you'd probably go for the dual rate as it's the cheapest by £101.25 although special discounts and other incentives might narrow it down a bit)
The sums aren't hard but it does make a significant difference what sort of user you are and what type of tariff you get. That's why you need to have a pretty good idea of how many kw/h a year you use when using a comparison website. You must your own maths to check that it works for your circumstances because not knowing your consumption and just using previous costs won't necessarily reflect your actual usage.
Just inputting what you've been paying and ending up with the wrong tariff can be expensive if you don't get your usage right. You need to input your kw not what you payNever under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers0 -
The basics are relatively straightforward mathematically, but as you start considering the inevitable discounts offered etc. it gets a little more complicated. It's better to let comparison sites do the initial work for you and only then do your own analysis of the suggested suppliers.
Of course, even they can't tell you if a fixed or variable tariff is better for you!I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.
All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
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For my area (South East) it's coming out cheapest as follows on energyhelpline:
Variable tariff: Ebico Equidual, £468pa.
Fixed tariff: nPower Online Price Fix February 2015: £503.
matelodave: that took me less time to check and post than to read your suggestion of using a spreadsheet..No free lunch, and no free laptop0 -
matelodave wrote: »So a single rate would be quite expensive for a heavy user and you'd probably go for the dual rate as it's the cheapest by £101.25 although special discounts and other incentives might narrow it down a bit)
mateodave - you are using the phrases 'single rate' and 'dual rate' in a different way to pretty much everyone else.
Dual rate is usually used where a different price is charged based on the time of day the electricity is used - most commonly economy 7 - single rate is the opposite - time of day has no effect on the cost.
What you are referring to is a tiered rate (where the first x units are more expensive, no matter what time of day (or billing period) they are used). A flat rate has the same cost per kWh regardless of when it is used. This may or may not be accompanied by a standing charge.
It is possible for a dual rate to be tiered or flat - if tiered the tier is usually in the day/normal rate. Single rates can also be tiered or flat.
While you can move from a flat rate to tiered very easily, moving from single rate to dual rate will usually require a change of meter, and much work inside the house.0 -
The problem I find is it is all so complicated. Its this price first so many units then it goes to this price, or you can pay more standing charge and less per unit or no standing charge and more per unit.
How on Earth can someone know which is their best option
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity0
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