Octopus Tracker

masonic

Based on my data, Agile and Tracker Dec 2023 are neck and neck (Tracker 3% cheaper over the month) with no load shifting out of the 4-7pm period, so I could have saved a bit with some load shifting, but not enough to make Agile a clear winner. Over the past week Tracker has been 15% cheaper, showing that relatively higher prices shift the balance in favour of Tracker. Based on that I wouldn't consider making a change.

Telegraph_Sam

I go along with all that. It's almost inevitable that there will be some discrepancies considering the number of variables. For me there would have to be some consistent net advantage if I was to consider moving. Added to which I'd prefer to do without the hassle factor of cooking my evening meal at 3 am. All may change with the new Tracker tariff whatever that is and whenever it is enforced.

masonic

Telegraph_Sam said:

All may change with the new Tracker tariff whatever that is and whenever it is enforced.

Most of us were discussing the new Tracker tariff and how it compares with Agile.

Telegraph_Sam

To avoid confusion what is its name or label. and does that mean it is already in force for some users and not over the horizon?

QrizB

Slinky said:

Another consideration for us would also be how much wear and tear you inflict on the batteries with constant cycling every single day

I can't speak for other battery owners, but I bought mine to cycle them. If I get 4000 cycles out of them (and they claimed more than that), that's a cycle a day for ten years.

masonic

Telegraph_Sam said:

To avoid confusion what is its name or label. and does that mean it is already in force for some users and not over the horizon?

The new one is December 2023. It's in force for some users - anyone who has joined within the last month.

bristolleedsfan

Telegraph_Sam said:

To avoid confusion what is its name or label. and does that mean it is already in force for some users and not over the horizon?

As of now applicable to new switchers to tracker tariff and renewals since  SILVER-BB-23-12-06

Spies

Hopefully they don't change the agile formula when they announce they're switching those on Tracker Nov 22 v1

Telegraph_Sam

Dec 2023 is what is shown on gastracker but I don't see the tariff quoted on energy-stats.uk

mmmmikey

Some thoughts on this....

As a general rule, the higher prices go the more favourable Tracker looks and the lower they go the more favourable Agile looks. So it is no surprise to me that comparing them in December makes Agile look more attractive - we saw some very low prices in December.

Now look at this headline:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67957739

Obviously no certainty about what will happen to prices but it does highlight a very real risk - prices could easily rise again. This would make Tracker look more favourable. So even if it doesn't end up being cheaper, Tracker could still be a better bet for those customers that prefer a lower risk profile.

Personally, having invested heavily in batteries and home automation, Agile is a better bet for me anyway most of the year, so I'll be changing back at the end of February whether Tracker prices go up or not. The things that tipped the scales in favour of Tracker for me over the winter months were (1) the Savings Sessions make Tracker costs lower overall (2) it's easier to keep the house at a comfortable temperature by switching the heaters on during the evening peak (3) I didn't want the risk of Agile prices going up at the most expensive time of year for me. 

So the reasons for choosing Tracker rather than Agile are many and varied. Of course, if prices go up for Tracker but not for Agile that makes Agile relatively more attractive. But I suspect that for an awful lot of people Tracker will still be a better option.