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Cheap energy club question

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Benzanna
Benzanna Posts: 125 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker Energy Saving Champion
Hi,
I was wondering if someone could clear something up for me…

I’ve just joined the Cheap Energy Club.
I put in what my monthly usage was for last month…

After thinking about it, I was wondering how the total costs are calculated.

I.e. last months usage will be higher than Junes usage as it’s the winter months… does it calculate assuming every month equals the same usage as I put in for last month?

If this is the case, surely the estimations will be inaccurate as winter will use more than summer? I would submit an average reading, but sadly I haven’t been in the property for a year yet.

Any views on this? Do the calculations take into account winter and summer usage?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Gratis
    Gratis Posts: 478 Forumite

    Hi,

    I was wondering if someone could clear something up for me…

    I’ve just joined the Cheap Energy Club.
    I put in what my monthly usage was for last month…

    After thinking about it, I was wondering how the total costs are calculated.

    I.e. last months usage will be higher than Junes usage as it’s the winter months… does it calculate assuming every month equals the same usage as I put in for last month?

    If this is the case, surely the estimations will be inaccurate as winter will use more than summer? I would submit an average reading, but sadly I haven’t been in the property for a year yet.

    Any views on this? Do the calculations take into account winter and summer usage?

    Thanks!

    The comparison sites make no claim that they do. And, when they ask you for a monthly figure, they don’t ask you which month’s figure you are submitting.

    Nor, of course, have they any way of knowing how efficient your heating and insulation are in winter. They are simply a glorified pocket calculator, loaded with the up-to-date tariffs.

    In the absence of true annual figures, it is probably best to multiply your March (or your September) figure by 12, yourself, and then enter that amount as your annual consumption.

    It won’t be exact, of course, but (for the reasons you point out) it will produce a much better estimate of your annual bill than inserting January’s or July’s monthly figure on the comparison site. Using “quarterly” figures is just as misleading, for the same reasons.


    Feedback on here suggests that it is safer to use an alternative comparison site to the Cheap Energy Club, at least for switching. :(

    I use https://www.energyhelpline.co.uk – it seems to include all the suppliers that some say don't appear on other comparison sites. :cool:
    Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance
    and conscientious stupidity.
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jnr.
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Gratis wrote: »
    ...
    I use www.energyhelpline.co.uk – it seems to include all the suppliers that some say don't appear on other comparison sites. :cool:

    It doesn't appear to include the small, cheap gas supplier Daligas, for some reason.

    Sites such as energylinx and ukpower do :)
  • Gratis
    Gratis Posts: 478 Forumite
    footyguy wrote: »
    It doesn't appear to include the small, cheap gas supplier Daligas, for some reason.

    Sites such as energylinx and ukpower do :)

    Hmm. You're right. it doesn't. :(

    Thanks for pointing it out. :money:

    Showing Zog as the cheapest for gas only, for my family's consumption.

    Shall investigate further!

    That said, I've only been looking at dual-fuel and was encouraged to observe that it does display Extra Energy, which many don't.
    Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance
    and conscientious stupidity.
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jnr.
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