Fixed Rate Tariff Higher than Governments Price Guarantee

Woobs

Hi All.

I'm looking for some advice. I'm currently with Ecotricity and my fixed rate tariffs (after applying the government discounts) are 48.8 for electric and 14.7 for gas respectively, so about a third higher than the government max.

I'm fairly sure I saw Martin Lewis say that the big energy companies were letting customers on a fixed tariff drop to standard and waiving the penalty, mine of which is £400 but Ecotricity don't seem to be playing ball. 

Does anybody have any advice or experience in this matter. 

Thanks in advance

MWT

Ecotricity are exempt from the price cap due to their green status.

You still get the discount, but they are allowed to charge you more than the cap.

If you no longer wish to support their green agenda it is time to switch to a different supplier...

[Deleted User]

Many are waiving exit fees, but they don't have to.

I don't get the impression that you are arguing about the tariff, just about wanting to switch to a cheaper one for free.

Neil_Jones

The guarantee only applies on the variable tariff.

If you decided to fix before the state intervened (at higher rates) then that was your call.  However you should have had these rates reduced to match the capped rates as far as possibl.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support/energy-bills-support-factsheet-8-september-2022 - "A ‘floor’ unit price for gas averaging at 10.3p/kWh and for electricity averaging at 34p/kWh for direct debit customers will be introduced ... For the small number of consumers who fixed at a high rate exceeding the October Ofgem price cap of £3,549, they will receive the full discount of 17p for electricity and 4.2p for gas. However, given the higher starting point, their fixed rate tariff will still have a unit rate that is above the EPG rates."

Spoonie_Turtle

I think Ecotricity's exemption from tbe cap means they don't have a standard variable tariff (or if they do, it would not be subject to the Ofgem cap anyway).

MWT

Spoonie_Turtle said:

I think Ecotricity's exemption from tbe cap means they don't have a standard variable tariff (or if they do, it would not be subject to the Ofgem cap anyway).

They do have a variable tariff, but as you say, it is above the Ofgem cap even after the discount...

https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/support/our-energy-tariffs

Woobs said:

I'm fairly sure I saw Martin Lewis say that the big energy companies were letting customers on a fixed tariff drop to standard and waiving the penalty, mine of which is £400 but Ecotricity don't seem to be playing ball.

Ecotricity is not even close to being one of the 'big energy companies' unfortunately,. so if they will not let you move to their variable tariff without penalty then that is their right.