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To switch or not?

Warslet
Warslet Forumite Posts: 29
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I’m with EDF (no issues) since being moved from Utility Point. Currently on the Welcome variable Dual Fuel tariff. Not on a SMART meter but certainly a consideration if a better tariff elsewhere or EDF. On the Western Power Network. Gas - 7348Kwh pa and electricity- 2100Kwh pa.  Have been reading about Octopus choice different tariffs, off-peak and peak. I believe EDF may have off-peak and peak tariffs too. For any of these I would need SMART meter?  I don’t have an EV or solar panels. Central heating changed to unvented with new boiler in last few months. 
Having read a number of posts here, knowledgeable posters, any comments for consideration would be appreciated about changing provider for better rates/SMART meter?

Comments

  • MikeJXE
    MikeJXE Forumite Posts: 2,296
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    Obviously if you read the energy boards Octopus give you the most choice of tariffs and apparently cheaper too. 

    Further more according to various post the quickest to roll out smart meters 
  • Gerry1
    Gerry1 Forumite Posts: 9,093
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    Unlikely that E7 would be cheaper if you have gas central heating.
  • Dolor
    Dolor Forumite Posts: 7,602
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    Warslet said:
    I’m with EDF (no issues) since being moved from Utility Point. Currently on the Welcome variable Dual Fuel tariff. Not on a SMART meter but certainly a consideration if a better tariff elsewhere or EDF. On the Western Power Network. Gas - 7348Kwh pa and electricity- 2100Kwh pa.  Have been reading about Octopus choice different tariffs, off-peak and peak. I believe EDF may have off-peak and peak tariffs too. For any of these I would need SMART meter?  I don’t have an EV or solar panels. Central heating changed to unvented with new boiler in last few months. 
    Having read a number of posts here, knowledgeable posters, any comments for consideration would be appreciated about changing provider for better rates/SMART meter?

    Octopus have a number of smart metered time-of-use tariffs that favour consumers with solar PV; home batteries; EVs and heat pumps. Octopus also offers its Agile and Tracker tariffs which are available to all consumers. Agile prices change every 30 minutes and Tracker prices change each day depending on the wholesale cost of electricity. When the wind blows, Agile prices can be very low and even negative. That said, you have to try to avoid the 4 to 7pm period. 



     Other suppliers offer slightly cheaper tariffs if the consumer has a smart meter or agrees to let the supplier fit one. 

    The downside of what is known as a two rate E7 tariff is that the peak cost is often higher than a standard tariff. Whether an E7 tariff would work for you depends on how much electricity usage you can shift to the offpeak period. With a new gas boiler, E7 is not for you.
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