Price comparison sites

molerat

Gerry1 wrote: »

Probably, I use less than the average for electricity but quite a lot of gas. It's a pain that many companies won't supply gas only, they insist on electricity as well.

It's anti-competitive, but Ofgem is far too dozy to do anything about it.

What is worse is the comparison sites not publishing all the ones that do. EDF will do gas only but you won't find their competitive tariffs on many comparison sites, just standard variable.

Terresa

JackieO wrote: »

Lots of positive feedback from you all I live in the Medway area of Kent. Just need to perhaps have a look again tomorrow

Thanks everyone you are very helpful

JackieO xx

Thank you for providing this additional information necessary to compare tariffs.

Your situation is complicated by the fact that you are a relatively low user, as you admit, and the £140 WHD that you say you receive, which is a significant saving on a ca. £500 annual bill.

This £140 discount outweighs any saving you can make by switching to any cheaper supplier(s) that do not operate the WHD scheme.

Therefore, on what basis you receive the WHD is important in your case.

If you receive this discount as part of what is known as the 'broader group' you should consider switching to Avro as suggested above.
But beware: entitlement to WHD under the broader group varies by supplier, so because you were eligible under the Shell/First Utility programme last year, does not necessarily mean you will be entitled under the Avro (or any other suppliers) scheme this year. This extends to Shell as well, as they may change their criteria.

However, if you qualify under the 'core group' then you will be receiving that from Shell no matter what you now do. That is because the qualifying date for this year was 07 July 2019.

Furthermore, you may want to think about the discount for next year.
Assuming your own situation does not change, (and the WHD continues unchanged) you will remain entitled to WHD under the core group next year too, so you may want to switch to Avro anyway on the basis you may be with them on the qualifying date next year.
Excluding WHD, Avro Simple and SuperSave (12m fixed, no exit fee) will cost you £452pa compared to the best Shell tariff (Fixed August 2020 v3 - £30 per fuel early exit fee applies) would set you back £522pa

But if you want to maximise savings this year, then simply switch to the cheapest supplier(s), as Shell will be paying your WHD core group entitlement for this year.

So OFTM variable tariff 5.0 @ £421pa, or as MSE have recently notified, new supplier Green (oak tariff) @ £426.
If you want to fix, the OFTM can offer that @ £435pa (no exit fee)
Lumo also have a fix tariff, but you need their app. for that one.

If you split suppliers, you can get about the same overall cost, but early exit fees may apply. I'm not sure you want to worry over them, as you may want to switch early, so that you are with a WHD supplier at next years WHD core group eligibility date.

It depends how complicated you wish to make matters, and how much effort you want to put in to maximise savings (and the basis on which you receive the WHD)

But if you go with the simplest option and elect to remain with Shell, do ensure you transfer to ntheir cheapest tariff for you ... and not simply be allowed to roll onto their expensive default tariff.

Or there are a number of cheaper suppliers who are part of the WHD scheme that are cheaper for you, including Avro, GNE, Bristol, Co-op, Octopus, and even Big 6 suppliers SSE & BG.

If you switch supplier, you may also get some possible cashback.
But if you are not part of the core group, you will need to check with any supplier (inc Shell) whether you will be entitled to WHD this year with that particular supplier.