How does the MSE energy club work out what's best for you? How accurate is it?

Gerry1

David28 said:

No wonder people are confused by switching sites.

Always ignore all projections and claimed savings, they're inaccurate because of Ofgem's daft rules.

Just compare the total annual costs based on actual meter readings, and check whether separate suppliers are cheaper.  Don't forget any exit fees, and have a look at customer service ratings at Citizens Advice and in the relevant threads on the MSE Energy forum.

JustAnotherSaver

Is there somewhere on there for auto calculations or do you have to do it manually? Clicking through each tariff, getting the standing rate and the kwh rate and then working it out and then comparing?

Just asking. Would prefer to save time if I can. 

That'd explain why some of them were baffling to me. Barely any kwh charge difference, barely any standing charge difference yet they can save me a million pounds if I switch. 

For some reason my electricity isn't showing with Scottish Power now. This is a right balls up. 

Oh and the comparison site did add a v4 and also a v5 on the end that I hadn't noticed. 

roddydogs

Always use up the £50 available in the referrers thread, if applicable. Better than getting a few quid off over a year

tim_p

roddydogs said:

Always use up the £50 available in the referrers thread, if applicable. Better than getting a few quid off over a year

Not if the chosen tariff costs you £51 or more extra per year. 

Gerry1

JustAnotherSaver said:

Is there somewhere on there for auto calculations or do you have to do it manually? Clicking through each tariff, getting the standing rate and the kwh rate and then working it out and then comparing?

I've already told you several times ! 

• You just need to compare the total annual costs (based on actual meter readings, never estimates).  You also need to compare separate suppliers because they're often cheaper than dual fuel.  Start with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?'.  (Post 4)
  
  All comparison sites will show the total annual dual fuel cost in price order, but you'll have to add up the two figures for the cheapest separate suppliers to see whether it beats the best dual fuel offer.
  

JustAnotherSaver said:

they can save me a million pounds if I switch.

• You also need to ignore all projections and claims about alleged savings.  (Post 4)

• Always ignore all projections and claimed savings, they're inaccurate because of Ofgem's daft rules. (Post 12)
  
  However, you do need to do the sums yourself if you visit a suppliers own website.  Many suppliers (even some of the big boys) give deliberately fake quotations for Economy 7, ignoring your night usage (or not even asking for it) and making unjustified assumptions to make the cost much lower than their honest competitors.  Dozy Ofgem knows about this but has failed to wake up and take action.

Malchester

I think that it is the industry standard that says comparison sites use this method of comparing tariffs ie, they assume that when your fixed price ends you automatically go onto the variable tariff and make the comparison that way. Tis is not helpful, at least to me it isn't because I would never just allow myself to go onto variable rate, therefore the comparison is with something I would not do. When I compare I put the end date of my existing tariff as something just over 12 months ahead thereby the comparison is between what would pay now on existing tariff and what would pay on new 1 year tariff

Gerry1

Malchester said:

I think that it is the industry standard that says comparison sites use this method of comparing tariffs ie, they assume that when your fixed price ends you automatically go onto the variable tariff and make the comparison that way.

It's just another mess up by dozy Ofgem.  It's the one thing that MSE's CEC does get right because it defaults to a sensible comparison and only gives the Ofgem's misleading fake savings on request.

JustAnotherSaver

Is there a spot on the CA website that indicates the need to have a smart meter? 

I got caught out with the MSE website once as I missed it saying I needed one with the BG tariff I signed up to. Sure enough it was there right at the start I just missed it. 
It seemed more and more were trying to push you towards a smart meter so I just avoid these. 

I saw no mention on the CA website. Even for British Gas. I thought it strange and more likely that I've missed the wording somewhere but I just don't want to get caught out with having to get a smart meter. 

Gerry1

JustAnotherSaver said:

Is there a spot on the CA website that indicates the need to have a smart meter?

It's all there if you take a look.  Click on 'Next steps' then 'Additional information'.

David28

Citizen site just as bad I could save over £140 by paying £40 more a year