Octopus Agile vs Tracker vs Flexible

Alnat1

Are you saying those on the newer versions get a discount because their tariff has the possibility to go higher and so they get a discount even when it's lower? 

QrizB

Alnat1 said:

Are you saying those on the newer versions get a discount because their tariff has the possibility to go higher and so they get a discount even when it's lower? 

They've changed the formulas for "New Agile" and "New Tracker". As an example, for Gas Tracker in my region (Southern):

• Old Tracker: Gas unit charge: (W * 0.03615) + 1.316 p per kWh
  
• New Tracker: Gas unit charge: MIN( MAX( (0.03615 * W) - 4.4, 0) + 1.316 , 100) p per kWh

As an example, here is how it looks for my region today:

• Old Tracker: gas 3.74p/kWh, electricity 21p/kWh
• New Tracker: gas 1.38p/kWh, electricity 7.71p/kWh

It's not so easy to compare "Old Agile" with "New Agile" but the differences are similar.

Alnat1

I can't imagine many people are on the new versions. Maybe a few hundred Octopus employees who knew how the pricing was going to work?

dander

I really like Agile. I joined when the cap was 35p and I don't fully understand several of the posts on here about how the system has changed, so forgive me if this comment doesn't apply to everyone. But I find it really fun to check my energy prices every day and note the best times to use appliances etc - fully understand that wouldn't be fun for everyone! i don't have an electric car, but I have timers on my appliances so can make sure other chores are done at the lowest prices. When we had plunge pricing recently I rushed around to get a boil wash of white sheets on, bake some potatoes etc and ended up earning 60p for my trouble! I think you need to be willing to check that price every day though and be ready to play with it - it's not a low-maintenance tariff.

Alnat1

Yeah, I love it too, it's for people who have made energy saving a hobby. It's even more fun when you have a battery you can fill 

Xbigman

Alnat1 said:

Yeah, I love it too, it's for people who have made energy saving a hobby. It's even more fun when you have a battery you can fill 

I did it as much as anything as a lifestyle choice. Moving my usage away from the peak times means a higher percentage is actually generated from renewables not just offset. If it saves a few pounds that's good too. My problem is that, as a low user, there isn't that much to load shift in the first place. 


Darren

Xbigman

The energy stats website is essentially useless now it includes the new version, which is a shame as it doesn't require logging into. I'll use the Octopus site from now on.


Darren 

MWT

Alnat1 said:

Are you saying those on the newer versions get a discount because their tariff has the possibility to go higher and so they get a discount even when it's lower? 

Not exactly, they get the discount because it is a variable tariff, unlike the previous versions of Agile/Tracker which had a fixed contract period.

So for the new tariffs, the 'cap' of 100p for electricity (and for gas on Tracker) can be changed at short notice, and there is no need to renew the tariff as it has no specific contract end date.

bristolleedsfan

QrizB said:

Alnat1 said:

Are you saying those on the newer versions get a discount because their tariff has the possibility to go higher and so they get a discount even when it's lower? 

They've changed the formulas for "New Agile" and "New Tracker". As an example, for Gas Tracker in my region (Southern):

• Old Tracker: Gas unit charge: (W * 0.03615) + 1.316 p per kWh
  
• New Tracker: Gas unit charge: MIN( MAX( (0.03615 * W) - 4.4, 0) + 1.316 , 100) p per kWh

As an example, here is how it looks for my region today:

• Old Tracker: gas 3.74p/kWh, electricity 21p/kWh
• New Tracker: gas 1.38p/kWh, electricity 7.71p/kWh

It's not so easy to compare "Old Agile" with "New Agile" but the differences are similar.

.........

[Deleted User]

dander said:

I really like Agile. I joined when the cap was 35p and I don't fully understand several of the posts on here about how the system has changed, 

It might be because, with wholesale electricity prices as they are, the cap of 35p was losing Octopus money. 

Based on last Winter, the times when prices are below 35p will reduce markedly once people start turning their CH on. Yes, there will be the odd period when the wind blows but I suspect that most of the UK excess will be diverted to mainland Europe to keep their lights on.