Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

harryhound

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1838505

I've measured my roof length and width at ground level and the pitch is 30 degrees; so by going here I've calculated the length of the slope.

http://www.visualtrig.com/

The 30 degree angle (ie fairly flat interlocking tiles, an old fashioned simple double cover plain English tiles is likely to be 45 degrees and an old grey slate roof may well be 30 degrees) is good news.

I'd have no problem getting a nominal 4kW installation up there.

However my roof is facing about SSE. I must watch the sun about 16:00 today to see exactly when the shadow starts forming on the wall under the roof.
[Damn missed it; must be more like 15:30 that sun goes round the corner - eventually got the right time and double checked by measuring the angle of the sun at noon on the windowsill: I'm actually facing SE - 46 degrees East of South

I've found a chart over on the megga threat that says I should still get 97% of the benefit that a due South roof slope of 30 degrees would achieve. :T]

I notice that for the first few years it will be assumed that half the electricity is exported and gets bought by the electricity company for another 3 pence a unit.
When smart meters come into use they will know the real number of units exported.

See you over on the megga thread above..

kerri_gt

I keep looking at switching energy suppliers but recently moved from a 1 bed ground floor mainsonette to a 3 bed semi in Dec (yes, just the winter to be moving to a property that needs more heating! or not). Firstly this is the first time we have had gas heating, which leads me to my second point of how do I work out what will be the cheapest energy supplier for me if I am not sure what our bills are going to be? According to the most recent search, I can get an EDF online tarriff (which does have a penalty for cancelling before the end of the contract) but can I be sure I am getting the best deal?

anon_ymous

From the Atcost site:
They do seem to be very transparent. I had a look through and got to:
Where can I go to compare At Cost Energy’s prices?
They say:

If you have managed to get a great deal somewhere else, our advice is stay as you are…we’re not in this for any other reason than to steer you right. As prices and offers are often introductory, check the small print…and compare regularly. Our guarantee will always be that we are supplying on a not-for-profit basis.

Whilst they may be buying on a wholesale basis, other companies may buy more of the stuff, making energy bills cheaper overall. They may even become the next "Ryanair" or "Jet2" for energy

NonGeographicalMan

kerri_gt wrote: »

how do I work out what will be the cheapest energy supplier for me if I am not sure what our bills are going to be?

Why not ask the previous owners what their bills for gas and electricity were or otherwise say assume a typical level of consumption for a 3 bed semi with the energy comparison sites such as £700 per annum for gas and £500 for electricity. You can then switch to that supplier for the time being and then review your actual consumption when you have a year's worth of bills and switch again if appropriate. If the current suppliers are the original default incumbents for the region then you should definitely switch away straight away.

According to the most recent search, I can get an EDF online tarriff (which does have a penalty for cancelling before the end of the contract) but can I be sure I am getting the best deal?

You need to see who comes top for the default levels of consumption I suggested on sites such as https://www.energylinx.co.uk, https://www.whichswitch.co.uk, https://www.uswitch.com and https://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx as no one supplier has the cheapest tariff nationwide and they all have different tariffs in the different electricity and gas regions of the UK.

The whole industry also now relies on luring you in and then dropping you on to a worse deal, especially in the case of one year fixed rate tariffs. A cheap variable rate tariff normally remains competitive to some extent for up to two to three years.

You certainly need to review who is the cheapest supplier for your home at least once a year as things do not stay the same.

Virtually all the energy companies have online tariffs that are cheaper than their standard tariffs.

hethmar

Im fixed with scottish power - so I assume there is no way of changing without paying a get out charge?

This is all getting beyond me, I dont even know what of the dozen or so service tariffs Im on now.

NonGeographicalMan

hethmar wrote: »

Im fixed with scottish power - so I assume there is no way of changing without paying a get out charge?

This is all getting beyond me, I dont even know what of the dozen or so service tariffs Im on now.

What are their exit charges for leaving early. They may only be £50. And Npower is currently offering £120 cashback to join them through https://www.topcashback.co.uk on one of the cheapest dual fuel tariffs. So you would still be £70 up, even after paying the exit fees.

hethmar

Thanks - Ive swopped and changed so many times now that my head spins. Im not even sure how to work it all out any more

Ill have a go and see if I can get a better price. Im currently over £500 in credit at scottish power.

hethmar

Hmm, my best suppliers are coming up as EDF or sainsburys.

hethmar

Just signed up with EDF - £316 a year savings plus £40 cash back which virtually pays for the £50 termination fee from Scottish Power.

hethmar

nemoo wrote: »

Personally, I don't think the prices displayed now will take the end of march price cuts in to account and these sites (where they can) effectively allow you to sign up to something that's available now i.e. you are signing up to a current tariff and not a future offer (albeit a definite offer) - if you see what I mean.

Didnt see this until after I switched to EDF yesterday But just been back and see Ive actually signed up for the tariff which comes available at the end of March with them.