Is it worth going to the cheapest gas/electric provider?

JJ_Egan

teddysmum wrote: »

An idea of likely usage is important as high standing charge but low unit rate may suit higher users, while low standing charge and a higher rate may suit a low user, with a changeover point between the two.

Thats why i look at the price first and that includes standing charges .
Ten plus switches and never had a problem .

Its obvious from posts on this forum that a significant number of users are clueless when comparing . Swap with xx supply then 6 months later complain on here that direct debit has gone up . Their assumption is that the DD and annual usage quoted is the true all in cost no more to pay use all you want .

pcyam

Appreciate all the advice.

We do give accurate readings on a regular basis. And since having the solar panels the readings have fallen. Usage has increased over the last few months. But having asked for the price/unit and standing charge. SE seems to be quite high when doing a comparison. There was a short fall in the last bill because the electric usage went up. But without the shortfall then Electric DD would be £45/month and Gas would be £42/month.

Current Tariff

Electric
Price per unit -13.16/kwh + VAT
Standing Charge -14.09p/ day + VAT

Gas
Price per unit -3.87p/Kwh + VAT
Standing Charge -14.09p/ day + VAT

Their 1 year fixed.

Electric
11.39/kWh + VAT
Standing Charge - 21.92p/ day + VAT

Gas
3.04/Kwh + VAT
Standing Charge - 21.92p/ day + VAT

Annual Usage
Electric 3135 kWh
Gas 9229 kWh

On comparison sites, SE seems to be on the lower end when it comes to price. I will look into the Standing Charge v's Price per unit as it is August and the cold/dark days are due to come soon!

But the prices that we are on, are they about average to what most people are on?

Thanks All.

JJ_Egan

My April 2016 swap .

Gas Zog fixed to April 2017 .
S/C 10p Unit 2.2733 p + 5% vat .

Elec GB Energy 1 year fix .
S/C .15p Unit 10.827p + 5% vat .

pcyam

JJ_Egan wrote: »

My April 2016 swap .

Gas Zog fixed to April 2017 .
S/C 10p Unit 2.2733 p + 5% vat .

Elec GB Energy 1 year fix .
S/C .15p Unit 10.827p + 5% vat .

Wow that's much cheaper!
What are Gas Zog like?

Sosumi

pcyam wrote: »

But the prices that we are on, are they about average to what most people are on?

Thanks All.

With respect, if what you are seeking is to compare what is available now on the market in regard to energy fixes, there is little (if any) practical point in asking other people on here what rates they are paying currently because most of them will be on fixes, of various remaining durations, that were offered before the EU Referendum.

Since then, the price of energy has risen and the newly Faraged pound has taken a dive even more spectacular than anything Team GB was able to produce in Rio.

You’d also find that prices differ significantly between the various designated regions of the United Kingdom, so you wouldn’t be comparing like with like anyway.

The past is gone and your parents aren’t going to move to another region to secure cheaper energy prices.

Just stick to inserting on to reputable comparison sites, such as Energy Helpline, reliable annual consumption figures taken from direct meter readings and then work with what they tell you is available – in your region and for your consumption. It will have been tailored to your own situation. What, where, to whom and for how much energy anybody else is paying is (frankly) irrelevant to you. What you want is the best deal that’s available, currently, for you.

Narrow your focus and try to grasp that!

pcyam

Hi Sosumi

Appreciate your comments. Understand that I wont be able to have the cheaper rates as it was 12months + ago. But looking more what its like for those who have gone with smaller providers and the experience they have received.

When things are going swell there is not much I need to do for my parents. But when things go wrong, then I am the one who deals with it. So looking for the fine balance of price v's customer service. Don't mind doing leg work, but don't want the nightmare of when things go wrong to drag on (e.g. in dispute with EE and that's gone on over 12months)!

victor2

I manage an account for an elderly relative and have a dual fuel fix with E.On. Not the cheapest but still very competitive at the time. They have also installed smart meters as she was having great difficulty reading her meters. She gave a letter of authority to E.On for me to manage the account and I do it all from home now.
Yes, she is pretty much tied into E.On if she wants to retain the smart metering, which she and I do.
Easy life, I picked the fix when it was a good rate, it didn't last long before a new "version" came out which would have cost more. Will have to weigh up the balance between getting cheaper elsewhere and staying with the benefit of smart metering and good customer service for just a little extra, when the current fix ends next year, but at least she's covered for most of the next winter.

JJ_Egan

pcyam wrote: »

Wow that's much cheaper!
What are Gas Zog like?

Its gas it comes out of the pipe . I enter monthly meter readings .Zog take a direct debit monthly and bill me .No more and no less same as any supplier i have been with .

Dontee

When comparing suppliers don't just look at the lowest monthly payments because they can increase them quite quickly.
Look for the Tariff Comparison Rate (TCR) in the details and compare it with the one on your current bill.

JJ_Egan

TCR is not the best resource the actual price is a far better indicator .