Octopus Tracker

vivalaeric

bristolleedsfan said:

vivalaeric said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

tlcgrantham said:

vivalaeric said:

Hi there,
H
I'm on tracker for electricity and its has been good so far, better than flexible and fixed.
I have smart meters for both electric and gas, but my gas meter doesn't connect (gas meter ground floor and electric meter 1st floor, try tried to fix it by installing) and I've been doing manual readings since last year.
I want to go on tracker for gas too but is it worth to be on tracker and do manual readings, let's say once a week, or should I stay on flexible (6.99p at the moment)?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. I’m on Tracker for both but with a smart meter for electricity and a non smart meter for gas. I submit a manual reading about once a month for gas and don’t find it a chore. Surely you’d have to continue submitting manual readings whatever tariff your on unless Octopus can resolve the connection problems? If you’re happy to take the risk go for gas tracker or perhaps consider their fixed tariff at the same rate as flexible. 

Do you think you will have an issue with the new terms and conditions that require a smart meter for tracker. Or is your gas meter smart just not able to connect to send readings?

It it a smart meter. They were trying to fix it by installing a different gas meter by it didn't connect in the end. That's why I've been doing manual readings. My gas meter is on the ground floor and the electric meter room is on the 1st floor.

Have you asked Octopus if it is ok with them to go on gas tracker without a working smart meter?

Taken from product guide " We currently require anyone switching to Tracker to have a working smart meter. Unlike with other other smart tariffs, if your smart meter stops sending readings, you won't be forced to switch to another tariff, as we are able to bill based on monthly meter readings"

I have not but I've read it on the website. My point was, will I gain from going for Tracker with manual readings or should I stay Flexible for 6.99p? I'm not Fixed on gas.

Spoonie_Turtle

Right now you have nothing to lose joining Tracker if they'll let you.  If prices go higher than the SVT and you don't fancy gambling that they'll drop quickly enough for your liking you can always go onto the SVT (Flexible). 
But if you did that, you wouldn't be able to go back onto Tracker for 9 months, which makes it a slightly more complicated decision than just hopping on and off whenever.

MultiFuelBurner

bristolleedsfan said:

vivalaeric said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

tlcgrantham said:

vivalaeric said:

Hi there,
H
I'm on tracker for electricity and its has been good so far, better than flexible and fixed.
I have smart meters for both electric and gas, but my gas meter doesn't connect (gas meter ground floor and electric meter 1st floor, try tried to fix it by installing) and I've been doing manual readings since last year.
I want to go on tracker for gas too but is it worth to be on tracker and do manual readings, let's say once a week, or should I stay on flexible (6.99p at the moment)?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. I’m on Tracker for both but with a smart meter for electricity and a non smart meter for gas. I submit a manual reading about once a month for gas and don’t find it a chore. Surely you’d have to continue submitting manual readings whatever tariff your on unless Octopus can resolve the connection problems? If you’re happy to take the risk go for gas tracker or perhaps consider their fixed tariff at the same rate as flexible. 

Do you think you will have an issue with the new terms and conditions that require a smart meter for tracker. Or is your gas meter smart just not able to connect to send readings?

It it a smart meter. They were trying to fix it by installing a different gas meter by it didn't connect in the end. That's why I've been doing manual readings. My gas meter is on the ground floor and the electric meter room is on the 1st floor.

Have you asked Octopus if it is ok with them to go on gas tracker without a working smart meter?

Taken from product guide " We currently require anyone switching to Tracker to have a working smart meter. Unlike with other other smart tariffs, if your smart meter stops sending readings, you won't be forced to switch to another tariff, as we are able to bill based on monthly meter readings"

This was the exact point I was trying to get across to @tlcgrantham they may be on tracker now without a smart meter but come renewal time they will need one. So they could request one from octopus asap.

QrizB

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Seeing the results of the fortnightly smart meter health check should allay any fears about them not using actual smart meter data.  Boy I wish I'd asked Dolor how he accessed that info, while he was still around

I was wondering where he'd gone. Was hoping he was on holiday   Agreed, he's a loss. I hope @[Deleted User] is able to read this, at least, and know we're thinking of him.

tlcgrantham

MultiFuelBurner said:

bristolleedsfan said:

vivalaeric said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

tlcgrantham said:

vivalaeric said:

Hi there,
H
I'm on tracker for electricity and its has been good so far, better than flexible and fixed.
I have smart meters for both electric and gas, but my gas meter doesn't connect (gas meter ground floor and electric meter 1st floor, try tried to fix it by installing) and I've been doing manual readings since last year.
I want to go on tracker for gas too but is it worth to be on tracker and do manual readings, let's say once a week, or should I stay on flexible (6.99p at the moment)?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. I’m on Tracker for both but with a smart meter for electricity and a non smart meter for gas. I submit a manual reading about once a month for gas and don’t find it a chore. Surely you’d have to continue submitting manual readings whatever tariff your on unless Octopus can resolve the connection problems? If you’re happy to take the risk go for gas tracker or perhaps consider their fixed tariff at the same rate as flexible. 

Do you think you will have an issue with the new terms and conditions that require a smart meter for tracker. Or is your gas meter smart just not able to connect to send readings?

It it a smart meter. They were trying to fix it by installing a different gas meter by it didn't connect in the end. That's why I've been doing manual readings. My gas meter is on the ground floor and the electric meter room is on the 1st floor.

Have you asked Octopus if it is ok with them to go on gas tracker without a working smart meter?

Taken from product guide " We currently require anyone switching to Tracker to have a working smart meter. Unlike with other other smart tariffs, if your smart meter stops sending readings, you won't be forced to switch to another tariff, as we are able to bill based on monthly meter readings"

This was the exact point I was trying to get across to @tlcgrantham they may be on tracker now without a smart meter but come renewal time they will need one. So they could request one from octopus asap.

Thank you for pointing that out. Has anyone been forced to change to another gas tariff yet at renewal because of not having a working gas smart meter?

bristolleedsfan

tlcgrantham said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

bristolleedsfan said:

vivalaeric said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

tlcgrantham said:

vivalaeric said:

Hi there,
H
I'm on tracker for electricity and its has been good so far, better than flexible and fixed.
I have smart meters for both electric and gas, but my gas meter doesn't connect (gas meter ground floor and electric meter 1st floor, try tried to fix it by installing) and I've been doing manual readings since last year.
I want to go on tracker for gas too but is it worth to be on tracker and do manual readings, let's say once a week, or should I stay on flexible (6.99p at the moment)?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. I’m on Tracker for both but with a smart meter for electricity and a non smart meter for gas. I submit a manual reading about once a month for gas and don’t find it a chore. Surely you’d have to continue submitting manual readings whatever tariff your on unless Octopus can resolve the connection problems? If you’re happy to take the risk go for gas tracker or perhaps consider their fixed tariff at the same rate as flexible. 

Do you think you will have an issue with the new terms and conditions that require a smart meter for tracker. Or is your gas meter smart just not able to connect to send readings?

It it a smart meter. They were trying to fix it by installing a different gas meter by it didn't connect in the end. That's why I've been doing manual readings. My gas meter is on the ground floor and the electric meter room is on the 1st floor.

Have you asked Octopus if it is ok with them to go on gas tracker without a working smart meter?

Taken from product guide " We currently require anyone switching to Tracker to have a working smart meter. Unlike with other other smart tariffs, if your smart meter stops sending readings, you won't be forced to switch to another tariff, as we are able to bill based on monthly meter readings"

This was the exact point I was trying to get across to @tlcgrantham they may be on tracker now without a smart meter but come renewal time they will need one. So they could request one from octopus asap.

Thank you for pointing that out. Has anyone been forced to change to another gas tariff yet at renewal because of not having a working gas smart meter?

 Octopus have stopped tracker auto renew, default option is flexible tariff, customers have to ask to stay on tracker, end of tracker fixed term email now states tracker requires working smart meter.

vivalaeric

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Right now you have nothing to lose joining Tracker if they'll let you.  If prices go higher than the SVT and you don't fancy gambling that they'll drop quickly enough for your liking you can always go onto the SVT (Flexible). 
But if you did that, you wouldn't be able to go back onto Tracker for 9 months, which makes it a slightly more complicated decision than just hopping on and off whenever.

Energy Price Cap changes

Time period	Price Cap on NEW typical use figures (1)	Price Cap on OLD typical use figures (2)
PREVIOUS PRICE CAP RATE 1 Jul 2023 to 30 Sept 2023	£1,976 a year	£2,074 a year
CURRENT PRICE CAP RATE 1 Oct 2023 to 31 Dec 2023	DOWN 7% £1,834 a year	DOWN 7% £1,923 a year
1 Jan 2024 to 31 Mar 2024 Strong prediction (3)	UP 3.5%  £1,898 a year	UP 4% £1,996 a year
1 Apr 2024 to 30 Jun 2024 Weak prediction (3)	DOWN 4%  £1,820 a year	DOWN 4% £1,912 a year
1 Jul 2024 to 30 Sep 2024 Crystal-ball gazing (3)	DOWN 2%  £1,781 a year	DOWN 2% £1,872 a year
1 Oct 2024 to 31 Dec 2024 Crystal-ball gazing (3)	UP 2.5% £1,825 a year	UP 2% £1,922 a year

Following the Energy Price Cap prediction, it would be bad to go Fixed for 12 months at the current price cap (rates). I think Tracker or Flexible it's the one way to not overpay (save).

Telegraph_Sam

I found these last two posts very helpful. Please keep me/us updated in these less than simple calculations plus your conclusions!

Telegraph_Sam

@tlcgrantham. For what it's worth I've been on non-smart-meter Tracker gas since Sept 2022 and the most recent bill is Sept 2023. "Price guaranteed until.  Not applicable" Interpret that as you will ....

MultiFuelBurner

vivalaeric said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Right now you have nothing to lose joining Tracker if they'll let you.  If prices go higher than the SVT and you don't fancy gambling that they'll drop quickly enough for your liking you can always go onto the SVT (Flexible). 
But if you did that, you wouldn't be able to go back onto Tracker for 9 months, which makes it a slightly more complicated decision than just hopping on and off whenever.

Energy Price Cap changes

Time period	Price Cap on NEW typical use figures (1)	Price Cap on OLD typical use figures (2)
PREVIOUS PRICE CAP RATE 1 Jul 2023 to 30 Sept 2023	£1,976 a year	£2,074 a year
CURRENT PRICE CAP RATE 1 Oct 2023 to 31 Dec 2023	DOWN 7% £1,834 a year	DOWN 7% £1,923 a year
1 Jan 2024 to 31 Mar 2024 Strong prediction (3)	UP 3.5%  £1,898 a year	UP 4% £1,996 a year
1 Apr 2024 to 30 Jun 2024 Weak prediction (3)	DOWN 4%  £1,820 a year	DOWN 4% £1,912 a year
1 Jul 2024 to 30 Sep 2024 Crystal-ball gazing (3)	DOWN 2%  £1,781 a year	DOWN 2% £1,872 a year
1 Oct 2024 to 31 Dec 2024 Crystal-ball gazing (3)	UP 2.5% £1,825 a year	UP 2% £1,922 a year

Following the Energy Price Cap prediction, it would be bad to go Fixed for 12 months at the current price cap (rates). I think Tracker or Flexible it's the one way to not overpay (save).

So all we know is strong prediction of rise in Jan 2024 and if you have followed Cornwall Insight predictions before you know everything else could be considered absolute rubbish and they will change it multiple times before we get there to make it look like they got it right 👍