Cheapest deal

chrisbean

I only use electric and when I choose an energy provider I look at the TCR (Tariff Comparison Rate). By law every provider must show this figure and this gives the cost of one Kilowatt of electric with all additional charges incorporated. The monetary figures then become academic. Simple.
Martin. A modern day Robin Hood?

System

chrisbean wrote: »

I only use electric and when I choose an energy provider I look at the TCR (Tariff Comparison Rate). By law every provider must show this figure and this gives the cost of one Kilowatt of electric with all additional charges incorporated. The monetary figures then become academic. Simple.
Martin. A modern day Robin Hood?

Hi - welcome to the forum.

TCR is, in my opinion, a very crude comparator and my view is supported by most PCWs:

Quote: A TCR is a rate that displays the cost per unit of energy that each gas or electricity tariff offers. These TCRs factor in things such as standing charges and discounts !!!8211; these are not taken into account by the rate displayed per kWh.

TCRs are only meant to act as a general approximation of what you will be paying on a given tariff. They are all based on households that will fall into the medium energy user group. This means that if you are either a low or high energy consumer, you will not be able to use these comparison rates as an effective guide. Unquote Source: SimplySwitch

Each to their own, but my advice is to base all cost comparisons on projected kWhs/year for both gas and electricity. Looking, of course, at both dual fuel and separate suppliers.

System

Update:

In spring of 2017, Ofgem announced it would roll back its requirement for suppliers and energy switching sites like uSwitch to provide a tariff comparison rate (TCR), effective 23 June of the same year.

JJ_Egan

I would rather look at true actual price not TCR . But each to their own method if they fee its more reliable .

SpotlandRules

Use more or less and your TCR changes.

System

This discussion is somewhat academic as suppliers and PCWs were banned by Ofgem from using TCRs from June 17 onwards. This is why sites such as MSE CEC now show the total cost of a deal including cashback and all other incentives.

KatyCols

I only use electricity and I want to compare the cost of 1 Unit of electricity on normal tariffs with what I am paying on Economy 10. I can't find anywhere to do this (not sure what a TCR is). Do I have to put all my information into a price comparison site? I don't want to compare Economy 10 tariffs , just the costs of 'normal' electricity as I think what I am being charged for my 'cheap time' is very high. Any ideas please