Switch time

Nikiya

Most fixed tariffs are ending soon, so it is time to start looking... however, ALL fixed price providers are much more expensive than the deal I have now (which is about to end of course).
I believe every year is the same, with around a 20% increase in prices across the board.
I wonder if this happens only in my area.
Of course variable tariffs are cheaper but I never dared using them. Any thoughts?
TIA!

JJ_Egan

Many fixes do start around the beginning of the year.But not all .

As prices have risen since this time last year you are correct .
Prices do not rise 20% every year that is just silly .
Areas vary but not a great deal of diffrence .

missmaybesaver

Some variable tariffs are cheaper, but the standard variable tariff with the Big 6 is usually the more expensive option.

It depends on how you feel about variable tariffs really? I’m on a fixed tariff now but have been with Bulb in the past who only have a variable tariff. That was one of the cheapest options at that point.

Prices vary across region to reflect the cost of transporting to that region but generally any increase in wholesale will affect all areas.

Nikiya

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Many fixes do start around the beginning of the year.But not all .

As prices have risen since this time last year you are correct .
Prices do not rise 20% every year that is just silly .
Areas vary but not a great deal of diffrence .

According to Cheap Energy Club the cheapest fixed tariff available to me now is exactly 21.27% more expensive than the one that expires in March.
The company is ¨People´s Energy¨and does not have enough feedback. All the others are more expensive.
So before using the word ¨silly¨do your research and your maths.

I tend to use CEC because in my experience is the most complete and unbiased. Of course I research others before going ahead with a switch but usually I do not find anything better.

wavelets

Nikiya wrote: »

...
I tend to use CEC because in my experience is the most complete and unbiased. ....

Really?

It has quite a few suppliers & tariffs missing, usually the cheaper ones.

Also, for example, do a check on the Bulb tariff for electricity only.
(without cashback)
Then do the calculation yourself and you will see the CEC are advising a lower price than it actually costs.

(This is presumably because the CEC includes the effects of a bill credit that Bulb will apply if you switch via the CEC, but it actually only applies if you apply for a dual fuel tariff)

It you want the most complete and unbiased, then use this.
https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk/

If you want the possibility of cashback based on exactly the same information, then use this
https://www.energylinx.co.uk/energy/cashback/

(it pays £17 per fuel switched rather than the meagre £12.50 the CEC pay)

If using the energylinx link, remember to ensure you set the filter to show all the tariffs, including the ones it cannot switch you to (so no cashback with them, sorry)

JJ_Egan

Nikiya wrote: »

So before using the word ¨silly¨do your research and your maths.





This is what you said

<I believe every year is the same, with around a 20% increase in prices across the board.>


So price increase EVERY YEAR of 20% is whatyou say and its 100% wrong as prices have not risen 20% EVERY YEAR .


Being doing my maths on prices for years and thats why i said silly .

macman

The point is that, with a fix, you know exactly what you will be paying for the next 12m. With a variable, you have no idea at all. But it doesn't need a crystal ball to know that prices are unlikely to fall in the next year.