Octopus Agile

Debsnewbudget

We swopped to Agile in October.
we just check on the compare app at around 4pm what the cost will be for the next day and plan around that.
we try and use the cheaper slots for washing and the dw,  if there are very cheap slots we will use the tumble drier. 

If the oven needs to be on during the peak time to feed the family, then its put on.

If we need to do a load of washing urgently then we try to find a time where it is less than the 25p we were on with the previous tariff. 

We live in the north so generally know what the wind is doing or is forecast, but generally do not do any more research.
it looks like we have saved money. Our latest bill shows just 7 days in the last month where our weighted average unit rate is above 25p. 

teaselMay

greenbee said:

@Telegraph_Sam

 I think you’re probably putting more effort into worrying about the difficulties than those of us on Agile put into managing it. My suggestion would be that rather than getting into a state of analysis paralysis, you try it for a month and see how you get on.

I was about to say this too. Telegraph Sam, you're putting way more thought into whether Agile would work for you than I suspect many of us who use, and save with, it do. I largely glance at the weather forecast to decide whether to do a wash today or wait until tomorrow. If I need it today I do it today.

I'm a bit of a geek and so I do like to look at a graph but usually to be honest after the event with agile to see how the prediction algorithm compared to reality.

Knowing that this weekend was going to be windy I had two loads to wash, and I dried in the drier straight from the machine rather than hung up, because it was negatively priced. Threw a bag of potatoes in the oven for very quick crispy baked potatoes through the week. no minute detail planning just making use of power when it's cheap, it was clearly likely to be cheap from several days ago.

EssexHebridean

So far today
- second freezer chilled down overnight and has now started getting bits put in it.
- towels washed and (mostly) dried
- DW run through
- a double portions of pasta bake made and assembled - 1 for the freezer, 1 just eaten for lunch
- downstairs lovely and warm and no gas used for heating
- sausage rolls made and baked
- 2 batches of mince pies made and baked 
- potatoes boiled ready for popping in the air fryer later on to crisp up

39kWh = 38p

Considering I remember practically going pale at the cost of the Christmas baking last year (first year with the electric oven) I would call that a rather big improvement! 

Telegraph_Sam

Which source(s) do you find most practical for keeping abreast of the current day's price and for the day following?

GingerTim

Telegraph_Sam said:

Which source(s) do you find most practical for keeping abreast of the current day's price and for the day following?

The Octopus app is all I need.

Archerychick

Telegraph_Sam said:

Which source(s) do you find most practical for keeping abreast of the current day's price and for the day following?

I default to octopus compare because I like the colour coding. It updates at 4pm for the following day. 

If I want to take a look at likely rates later in the week then I use https://emoncms.org/ukgrid (I use this mainly for deciding when to charge the car, as I don’t use it everyday I can delay charging it and save a decent amount.

matt_drummer

Is it necessary for posters to go into detail about what they are cooking?

Couldn't you just say `I did a lot of cooking'?

Maybe it is just me, it creeps me out people listing out what they have cooked and plan to eat on an energy forum.

Sorry, no offence intended.

QrizB

matt_drummer said:

Maybe it is just me, it creeps me out people listing out what they have cooked and plan to eat on an energy forum.

"... with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

matt_drummer

QrizB said:

matt_drummer said:

Maybe it is just me, it creeps me out people listing out what they have cooked and plan to eat on an energy forum.

"... with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Congealed pig fat is in my head right now!

Nice.

debitcardmayhem

matt_drummer said:

QrizB said:

matt_drummer said:

Maybe it is just me, it creeps me out people listing out what they have cooked and plan to eat on an energy forum.

"... with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Congealed pig fat is in my head right now!

Nice.

Good lord Lard🐷