Big Switch... I'm not sold.

jonde99

I track my utility usage monthly, and with now have 3 years of recorded metering. I therefore and acutely aware of my energy consumption.

Using this information and the standing charges and unit rates now available from every provider, I track and change my tariff annually to the best provider for my usage profile.

Sometimes the tariff results in gas costing more and electricity a little less than it did the year before, but it balances out. Some tariffs work the other way round. I guess the best bet would be to go for the lowest tariff for each fuel, but I like the simplicity of dual fuel and a single provider.

Now, your Big Switch system told me to switch from Npower april14 to EON-12m fix and save £230 odd quid for the year. Based on my calculation sheet this is not true. Infact that EON tariff looks to be about £30 more over the year based on my consumption.

I therefore call into question the validity of your comparison tool. I am more than happy to submit my working for your scrutiny.

maas

I found similar things when I compared the alleged saving on the MSE Comparisons to my own calculations.

Even when you factor in the online/dual fuel discounts they are including I never get the same total annual figure!

The comparison does not break down the number, only to say you will save x amount if you switch. When you click on "Full Calculation Details" you just get a top level number!

Very good!

footyguy

jonde99 wrote: »

I track my utility usage monthly, and with now have 3 years of recorded metering. I therefore and acutely aware of my energy consumption.

Using this information and the standing charges and unit rates now available from every provider, I track and change my tariff annually to the best provider for my usage profile.

Sometimes the tariff results in gas costing more and electricity a little less than it did the year before, but it balances out. Some tariffs work the other way round. I guess the best bet would be to go for the lowest tariff for each fuel, but I like the simplicity of dual fuel and a single provider.

Now, your Big Switch system told me to switch from Npower april14 to EON-12m fix and save £230 odd quid for the year. Based on my calculation sheet this is not true. Infact that EON tariff looks to be about £30 more over the year based on my consumption.

I therefore call into question the validity of your comparison tool. I am more than happy to submit my working for your scrutiny.

Feel free to post your workings here

What we need is:

1. Your supply region (or first part of postcode)
2. Your current supplier & tariff (Isn't the nPower April 2014 tariff finished?)
3. Your annual consumption figures in kWh
4. What you think this will cost both with your current supplier & tariff and the Eon MSE collective tariff.

akamustang

I did the sums and and got exactly the same as MSE suggested, so I'd be interested to know how your discrepancy arises.

AndyPK

I don't believe the existing tariff figures, but am happy with the new figures.

I thought it was a con to make you switch, (as per other sites) but I noticed in another thread that as my existing tariff what going to end soon, and that apparently the calculator assumes that I would switch to the default standard expensive tariff without changing to a new deal. So this could be why the existing price is different to what we expect.

Its a quote for what it would be if you did nothing to change it.
I'm not sure what else they could do with the calculations.
It would be nice if they told us this though!