Where can I find clear details of standard variable energy tariffs?

br1anst0rm

The dramatic increases in energy prices seem to have led all the utility companies, the switching sites, and even MSE into giving advice not to switch;  and many comparison sites simply no longer offer comparative quotes.  As general guidance, this may be pragmatic.  But it has left me very frustrated.

We had for some time been planning to change the dual-fuel gas and electricity energy supplier at our "second home" (a flat we had inherited).  We use the flat fairly infrequently - especially since the pandemic.  So the actual energy consumption is very low.  The supply is on EDF's Standard Variable Tariff (SVT). But our low consumption was not reflected in the bills.  Because the tariff had high fixed per-day standing charges and relatively low unit-costs for the actual consumption, we were paying large monthly bills even though our actual energy usage was minimal.

Our initial strategy was to try to identify a "no standing charge" tariff or supplier.  It emerged that in fact such tariffs had pretty much ceased to exist.  So we shelved the idea for a while.  Now that energy costs are increasing so dramatically, we are looking again at whether a change would make sense.  But it is now very difficult to make any kind of comparison - even between the SVTs of the main suppliers - because it seems impossible to get detailed breakdowns of their existing or proposed tariffs.  Where can such information be found?  The frustrating thing is that almost all consumer advice, reporting and analysis refers only to household energy bills, or average monthly/annual costs, with no indication of how this relates to actual consumption figures.  This leads to various questions:

1) in terms of the Ofgem "price cap" on SVTs, is there a formula, or a fixed relationship, between the amount of the standing charge and the amount per-unit of energy consumed?  Is each element "capped" separately? Or can the providers juggle, or adjust the proportions, between the per-day standing charge and the per-unit energy charge, just so long as the average, or maximum monthly bill does not exceed a specified total capped figure?

2) the follow-up question - which is what matters in our 'low-usage' situation - is that IF suppliers can vary the actual figures for standing-charge and unit-cost within an overall cap, then where and how can I find the detailed figures for these separate charges from each supplier? 

We are not looking for a complex menu of options or fixes (which right now are not on offer anyway) .  We are just looking to compare the plain-vanilla SVTs of each of the major providers.  In our particular case, we would obviously be best to choose the supplier with the lowest standing charge even if the unit-cost is extremely high.  But right now, how can I find these basic comparative tariff figures?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

have a look HERE, scroll down to link in QrizB's signature.

QrizB

Thanks frugalmacdugal!

OP you'll find that almost all SVTs are set at the maximum permitted by the Ofgem figures, as shown in my table (and in the EDF pdf I link to).

The only real variation is in the rates for E7, where the suppliers have some flexibility in how they split the cost betweeen day and night rates.

MWT

br1anst0rm said:

1) in terms of the Ofgem "price cap" on SVTs, is there a formula, or a fixed relationship, between the amount of the standing charge and the amount per-unit of energy consumed?  Is each element "capped" separately? Or can the providers juggle, or adjust the proportions, between the per-day standing charge and the per-unit energy charge, just so long as the average, or maximum monthly bill does not exceed a specified total capped figure?

The standing charged is capped on its own and the total bill value including the standing charge is capped separately.

Right now though, other than one or two 'loyalty' tariffs for existing customers, the suppliers are all setting their standing charge at the capped maximum, so you are not going to find anything worth switching for, and most of the supplier are not exactly welcoming new customers anyway...

br1anst0rm

Thanks to all who have replied, and especially to QrizB whose tables and comment explain the situation well (and confirm the lack of options!).  We had been looking at whether there was any point in moving from EDF to Octopus. Turns out their tariffs are just about exactly the same.  It seems pretty clear that if all suppliers are setting both their standing charges and their unit-rates at the capped maximum, then there's no point in comparing, and no advantage in switching.  So much for competition and market forces.....!

jimjames

I think you will also find it pretty much impossible to switch supplier as most are not accepting new customers unless you choose an expensive fixed tariff

pochase

Depending how low your usage is you might be able to save a bit with a fixed deal. Some of them have lower standing charges, while the energy cost is much higher.

This would work only for monthly usage of less than 30KWh.

br1anst0rm

pochase said:

Depending how low your usage is you might be able to save a bit with a fixed deal. Some of them have lower standing charges, while the energy cost is much higher.

This would work only for monthly usage of less than 30KWh.

In this occasionally-visited flat we use roughly 300kWh of electricity per year (which is less than 30kWh per month) and about 75 units of gas (about 850 kWh) per year, equivalent to 70 kWh per month.  I wonder - which of the "some of them" suppliers might offer low standing charges and/or a fixed deal that would offer a saving?

BUFF

br1anst0rm said:

 It seems pretty clear that if all suppliers are setting both their standing charges and their unit-rates at the capped maximum, then there's no point in comparing, and no advantage in switching.  So much for competition and market forces.....!

The reason is that on SVT (pricing restricted by government) the energy companies are still losing money. If competition & market forces were allowed free rein the SVTs would be set much higher than currently (or about to come into effect)!

pochase

br1anst0rm said

In this occasionally-visited flat we use roughly 300kWh of electricity per year (which is less than 30kWh per month) and about 75 units of gas (about 850 kWh) per year, equivalent to 70 kWh per month.  I wonder - which of the "some of them" suppliers might offer low standing charges and/or a fixed deal that would offer a saving

A very small savings on electricity may be possible, with the added benefit of a not to worry about the October increase, but the savings for the gas standing charge is to low to make up for much more expensive unit price that were discussed here recently. 

You might save 2 to 3 p for 365 days, but pay 3p+ more for 850 unit, so combined you will be more expensive than just staying on SVT and live with the standing charge.