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Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Joe9090 wrote: »

Are you still with E.On?

What was the reason they could not use your SMETS2 meters because I thought only SMETS1 meters could not be used by all suppliers?

I have also heard that E.On are transferring customers with SMETS1 meters to their database this year.

Hello Joe9090 and happy to confirm, we're looking to upgrade our SMETS1 meters by the end of this year so they can be managed in the same way as SMETS2 meters. This includes SMETS1 meters installed by another company and now supplied by us.

There are some early installations where this won't be possible. These are mainly smart meters fitted from 2014 and before. In these cases, we'll offer to fit a new SMETS2 meter.

Hope this explains Joe9090.

Malc

Rosa_Damascena

The MSE article on standing charges states: "Therefore the standing charge is the fee you pay to your energy supplier simply because it gives you access to energy. It's paid at a flat rate – ranging from around 10p-80p/day for gas and 5p-60p/day for electricity." It then goes on to discuss zero rates vs the rest - why not offer a table comparing standard charges? I can't find one anywhere, so am grateful for any  direction here. I ask because I'd like to make a cross-calculation myself rather than being wholly reliant on comparison sites. (My daily energy usage - even in the winter - is far lower than the standing charges I currently pay).


For the record, I am with Bulb and it has announced its intent to hike up electricity standing charges (in June, I think). I am guessing that others will be doing so also and unsure of how valid any comparisons might be at this moment in time. The fluctuating global oil prices atm don't help either - am starting to think I'd be better of hanging on for a few months and then reviewing.

I-LOV-MONEY

Rosa_Damascena said:

For the record, I am with Bulb and it has announced its intent to hike up electricity standing charges (in June, I think).

Unfortunately it is April 1st - April Fools Day !

Consumerist

Rosa_Damascena said:

. . . - why not offer a table comparing standard charges? . . .

I can't really see why you would want such a table.

Although Bulb might be increasing its standing charges, it may also be reducing its unit prices so you haven't really gained anything by looking at only the standing charges.

What is probably more important is the overall (estimated) cost of your energy over the next year which is what energy comparison sites (profess to) give you.

Gerry1

Rosa_Damascena said:

why not offer a table comparing standard charges? I can't find one anywhere, so am grateful for any  direction here. I ask because I'd like to make a cross-calculation myself rather than being wholly reliant on comparison sites.

It's the total cost that matters, based on your usage determined by actual meter readings rather than the standing charge or p/kWh rates considered in isolation.

Having identified the likely candidates from comparison websites you can then go to the suppliers' own websites to confirm the rates and do the sums.

Rosa_Damascena

Consumerist said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

. . . - why not offer a table comparing standard charges? . . .

I can't really see why you would want such a table.

Although Bulb might be increasing its standing charges, it may also be reducing its unit prices so you haven't really gained anything by looking at only the standing charges.

What is probably more important is the overall (estimated) cost of your energy over the next year which is what energy comparison sites (profess to) give you.

I didn't see that the unit prices were changing, the prices are going up on the element that hurts me the most, because I try hard to use energy responsibly.

My energy usage is decreasing year on year as I make my home more energy efficient so previous usage has limited value. Its the bigger picture I need to see because I think there is still scope for paying less. 

Consumerist

Rosa_Damascena said:

Consumerist said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

. . . - why not offer a table comparing standard charges? . . .

I can't really see why you would want such a table.

Although Bulb might be increasing its standing charges, it may also be reducing its unit prices so you haven't really gained anything by looking at only the standing charges.

What is probably more important is the overall (estimated) cost of your energy over the next year which is what energy comparison sites (profess to) give you.

My energy usage is decreasing year on year as I make my home more energy efficient so previous usage has limited value. Its the bigger picture I need to see because I think there is still scope for paying less. 

It would be quite unusual for standing charges to be more than your consumption costs unless the property is empty for a significant period of the year. The scope for paying less will only become apparent by comparing total costs. You will only pay for what you use whatever the estimate from past usage.

Joe9090

Rosa_Damascena said:

 why not offer a table comparing standard charges? 

It's a good idea and hopefully someone will provide a link for you.

I suppose anyone who has very high usage could use it to compare high daily charges with lower unit prices.

JJ_Egan

The comparison sites show standing charges .

Fairly easy for any one that needs that to spend an hour collating them .

Talldave

Rosa_Damascena said:

I didn't see that the unit prices were changing, the prices are going up on the element that hurts me the most, because I try hard to use energy responsibly.

My energy usage is decreasing year on year as I make my home more energy efficient so previous usage has limited value. Its the bigger picture I need to see because I think there is still scope for paying less. 

Ok, so you already know the most recent decrease. It takes moments to change the consumption figures on a comparison website and do a few "what if..." scenarios.  You may well find the trigger points for when you would need to change suppliers following future decreases. 
When I've found the suppliers of interest, I enter their tariffs into my Excel spreadsheet on which I can test "what ifs" to my heart's content. 
Note that standing charges and unit rates are changing all the time, so you might want to review the figures every couple of months or quarterly.  However, if your consumption is very low you'll find the exit penalties from a cheap fixed tariff will exceed the savings from a small tariff change.