Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

Richard_Condon

I just used MSE Energy Club Calculation Database to find cheaper Energy for my daughter. The Energy Club system came back and said our existing supplier OVO was the cheapest. Decided to use manual approach by calling suppliers directly and SO Energy was 20% cheaper !!! A bit worrying MSE?

MSE_Dan_L

Richard_Condon wrote: »

I just used MSE Energy Club Calculation Database to find cheaper Energy for my daughter. The Energy Club system came back and said our existing supplier OVO was the cheapest. Decided to use manual approach by calling suppliers directly and SO Energy was 20% cheaper !!! A bit worrying MSE?

Hi Richard

We've got So's tariff on the site, so it should show up on your results. I wonder if the problem here is that you're currently on a fix? There's a number of threads on the forum about Ofgem's controversial approach to comparing when you're on a fixed term tariff - effectively it allows comparison sites and providers to include the cost of your supplier's standard tariff in your savings.

We don't do this on Cheap Energy Club, which is why if you're on a cheap fix, we won't tell you to switch until it approaches the final few weeks.

For more on this, you might be interested to take a look at our guide.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/energy/2015/08/test-your-energy-fix-check-if-you-can-save-100s

Alternatively, if you don't think this is the issue, just drop us an email to energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com and we'll take a look at your account.

Peter_Altman

In my opinion, giving the amount one can save from switching to a new supplier/deal is pretty unhelpful since these are merely average figures. Why don't you just give the cost, including VAT, per kWh and also the daily standing charge. Then it becomes very easy to see if something is a better deal than what you are paying now. I just don't understand why this system is never used and hope you will consider adopting it.

victor2

Peter_Altman wrote: »

In my opinion, giving the amount one can save from switching to a new supplier/deal is pretty unhelpful since these are merely average figures. Why don't you just give the cost, including VAT, per kWh and also the daily standing charge. Then it becomes very easy to see if something is a better deal than what you are paying now. I just don't understand why this system is never used and hope you will consider adopting it.

They are not merely average figures if you put in your annual usage per fuel in kWh. It is well known that the OFGEM "official" way of calculating your annual cost, and hence possible savings, is totally unrealistic for anyone on a fixed tariff which will end within the next 12 months.
Giving the cost per kWh and standing charge is not useful. Which of these tariffs would be cheaper?
1 - 10p a day standing charge and 20p per kWh.
or
2 - 20p a day standing charge and 10p per kWh.

Obviously it depends on how many kWh you use over a certain number of days.
The easiest way I find with comparison sites is to enter your annual kWh, completely ignore the savings and supposed cost on your current tariff and only look at the predicted costs going forward, which are very accurate assuming you use that amount of energy...

Hargreaves1910

I was on the MSE September deal with Eon and did save from my previous supplier. I was paying £110/month dualfuel with Eon and although not saving a great deal it was cheaper.
I started looking about as the scheme was ending to see what was available and read that it can pay to source diiferent gas and leccy suppliers instead of going dualfuel. I looked into this and have gone with Zog for my gas and Affect for electric. The savings are amazing. I pay £28/month electric and £35.55/month for gas.
Setting up the accounts was done online and Affect didn't send that much info to be honest but Zog was better. But on the day everything went ahead as promised and so far it's been ok.

footyguy

Peter_Altman wrote: »

In my opinion, giving the amount one can save from switching to a new supplier/deal is pretty unhelpful since these are merely average figures. Why don't you just give the cost, including VAT, per kWh and also the daily standing charge. Then it becomes very easy to see if something is a better deal than what you are paying now. I just don't understand why this system is never used and hope you will consider adopting it.

They already do better than your suggestion. They give the cost of the annual consumption on the tariffs (and the savings is the difference) based on your usage figures and supply region

If you look into the detail you will find the kWh price and standing charge ...and you will find all the other details of what else may make up the final price, things you would miss if they only gave the info you ask for.

Consumerist

Peter_Altman wrote: »

In my opinion, giving the amount one can save from switching to a new supplier/deal is pretty unhelpful since these are merely average figures. Why don't you just give the cost, including VAT, per kWh and also the daily standing charge. Then it becomes very easy to see if something is a better deal than what you are paying now. I just don't understand why this system is never used and hope you will consider adopting it.

You don't say where you are looking. I would guess you are using the "savings" quoted on suppliers' sites.

A comparison site asks for your gas and electricity annual consumption in kWh; no averages involved.

Have you tried a comparison site?

Mr_K

Never buy through a comparison site (or MSE's CEC). Just use them as a guide and make sure they show you all deals, not just the ones they get a cut from. Go through a cashback site (quidco/tcb) and get the commission yourself.

The best deals from the smaller suppliers aren't always available through these sites.

footyguy

Mr_K wrote: »

Never buy through a comparison site (or MSE's CEC). Just use them as a guide and make sure they show you all deals, not just the ones they get a cut from. Go through a cashback site (quidco/tcb) and get the commission yourself.

The best deals from the smaller suppliers aren't always available through these sites.

Whilst some of the major suppliers do sometimes offer cashback through the cashback sites (so yes, do check as it says in the MSE article), but many suppliers do not ... but cashback is available from many suppliers via a comparison site as suggested on this site.

I suggest you read & digest the article more carefully.

applepad

How soon before my fix ends can I switch?

I am with BG on the fix Feb 2017 which ends 28/2. I know I have a £60 exit fee if I move too soon.

What ever happens looks like I will be paying more than I was ��