Is it just me! Where are the tarrifs?

Pensioner2b

We are on a fixed rate with EDF which ends in September. I want to start looking at tariffs but all you seem to get is price caps which mean absolutely nothing to me. They tell you that is the most they can charge you by way of unit cost and standing charge but don't tell you what the unit cost actually is and if you use more than their example then you pay more. Why can't they just tell us the price per unit and the daily standing charge like then used to. It's all smoke and mirrors how on earth are you supposed to compare prices.

Robin9

This what is on my Edf account:'

Contract details

Tariff name

Standard Variable

Payment method

Direct Debit (Fixed)

Exit fee

None

Electricity supply

Unit rate

21.68p per kWh

Standing charge

62.72p per day

(All rates inc. VAT)

Pensioner2b

I know what my current rates are but I am trying to find prices for when my fixed rate ends with the various companies to compare against. Currently mine are Gas Unit rate 3.805p/kWh Standing charge 24.870p/day (£90.78/year) and Electricity Unit rate 19.550p/kWh Standing charge 22.870p/day (£83.48/year. Your standing charge looks quite high and I expected the electricity rate to be higher.

Robin9

The rates I have given above are Electric EDF's SVT in my region (West Midlands); Gas is Unit rate

6p per kWh

Standing charge

31.45p per day

(All rates inc. VAT)

I am also on the same Electric EDF fix ending Oct 1st


Have you looked at the Cheap energy Club on this site for comparisons

Ayr_Rage

The SV rate from EDF will be available on your online account when you select Change Tariff, however that rate only runs from July to September and you'll probably get a warning that there is a fee to exit your fix early.

What happens to the SV rate in October is not yet certain, but a rise of around 12% on the mystical "typical usage" is predicted.

Fixes will come and go between now and September so you'll have to have a good crystal ball or just take a punt.

bob2302

Most of the replies in this thread are obtuse. The OP is looking for information on new tarrifs, and he's finding it hard to get the actual rates and SCs to make a comparison.

TheElectricCow

Some suppliers make it needlessly difficult to find a simple tariff list, often pushing the hard sell on customers by forcing them through some quotation process or another.

Off the top of my head, Octopus come to mind as having their rates most easily accessible on the following page
https://octopus.energy/tariffs/
One point to note there is that you want to input a postcode in the box at the bottom of the page and then not click the big “Get a Quote” button, and the tariffs should then load up further down. Use the filter for domestic tariffs or they’ll be a lot of extra irrelevant tariffs thrown in with the ones you want to see. The postcode part is just so it shows you the rates for the correct region.

Ayr_Rage

bob2302 said:

Most of the replies in this thread are obtuse. The OP is looking for information on new tarrifs, and he's finding it hard to get the actual rates and SCs to make a comparison.

Everything available from their current supplier appears when you select Change Tariff in MyAccount.

If the OP wants tariffs from other suppliers they'll have to go directly to their websites or use a comparison site.

Scot_39

Pensioner2b said:

We are on a fixed rate with EDF which ends in September. I want to start looking at tariffs but all you seem to get is price caps which mean absolutely nothing to me. They tell you that is the most they can charge you by way of unit cost and standing charge but don't tell you what the unit cost actually is and if you use more than their example then you pay more. Why can't they just tell us the price per unit and the daily standing charge like then used to. It's all smoke and mirrors how on earth are you supposed to compare prices.

Some do seem to market to existing customers using the £xx pa savings - ask for a quote and they will give the SC and unit rates.

Basic human nature I guess £100pa easier to grasp for many than 0.xp per unit etc.

EOn often quotes an annual saving for fixes, or e7 vs e10 etc on my bills

I would need to get an online quote to see the basis - e.g. sr or e7 etc and the SC and unit rates - as not always obvious from the tariff labels.

Even with svt, only a few (from memery edf, eon next, octopus from those seen linked in past posts here ) publish their full regional pricing for sr and e7 on blogs or websites.

But at least Ofgem now publish full regional breakdowns - even including the vat for gas and sr electric - and not just average regional caps and rates.  No longer needing a calculator to interpret their old nil kWh and x,xxxx kWh total column regional tables.

spot1034

If you get any quote there will be a button somewhere to reveal unit prices and standing charges - it'll be something like 'tariff rates' or 'show details' or 'tell me more' or whatever. Look for it - it'll be there somewhere. It's sad how many people won't bother and just look at the monthly direct debit.