Standing Charge or Unit Price

paragon909

When looking at energy companies what is the best part to look at to save money, The standing charge or unit price? I'm a bit confused. Some offer cheaper standing charge, but unit is much higher.

Some advice be good. Thanks

First time switching energy companies....

CashStrapped

It does not matter.....as long as you enter your annual use in KWH (and the figures are accurate), regardless of how the tariff is structured....which ever is cheapest....is cheapest, the comparison site works it all out for you.

Looking at how the tariff is structured is a red herring.

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The only instance where consideration of the standing charge may apply is when the property is empty for a long period of time.

matelodave

It does make a bit of difference depending on whether you are a heavy or light user.

A light user might benefit from a lower standing charge with a higher cost per kwh whereas as heavy user benefits form a higher standing charge and lower cost per kwh. For an average user the difference is negligible.

That's why it helps to use a comparison site or do your own sums to see which suits you better using your annual energy consumption in kwh.

Try it yourself by putting in several differnt scenarios to see what happens but frequently the difference is only a couple of ££ either way unless you are a really low or really higher user.

Flt._Lt._Biggles

paragon909 wrote: »

When looking at energy companies what is the best part to look at to save money, The standing charge or unit price? I'm a bit confused. Some offer cheaper standing charge, but unit is much higher.

Some advice be good. Thanks

First time switching energy companies....

I'd suggest you look at how many letters are in their name. :cool:

paragon909

EDF says they will take over my supply on the 1st of march. But it asked for meter readings already and says everything is basically ready to go.

When do i start having to pay EDF for my electric and gas usage. Will it be midnight on the 1st March? Is that when they become my supplier?

Thanks

CashStrapped

It will tell you on your first bill. Just ensure the opening reading of your first bill with EDF matches (or closely relates to) the closing reading with your previous suppler.

The date is immaterial to some extent. Don't get too hung up about what exact time they took over. As long as the meter readings are similar.

System

paragon909 wrote: »

EDF says they will take over my supply on the 1st of march. But it asked for meter readings already and says everything is basically ready to go.

When do i start having to pay EDF for my electric and gas usage. Will it be midnight on the 1st March? Is that when they become my supplier?

Thanks

The meter readings that you provided will be verified by an industry partner and then passed back to the two suppliers to open and close your accounts. The meter readings used may be estimated by the data collectors but any cost difference to you will be in pence. If your supply is being transferred today, then EDF will bill you from today.