Octopus Agile in winter

mmmmikey

...lots of other things influenced the price over the last few years and we've seen global energy prices go haywire. I suspect the weather hasn't been the most significant influence on prices. Not to say it isn't a factor but I personally don't think it's a major concern when you consider the winds of political change that are blowing at the moment.

That said, I don't see Agile as a big risk, you can switch out at any time, you just need to keep your eye on the ball. It's not really a sign up and forget about it kind of tariff.

NedS

mmmmikey said:

...lots of other things influenced the price over the last few years and we've seen global energy prices go haywire. I suspect the weather hasn't been the most significant influence on prices. Not to say it isn't a factor but I personally don't think it's a major concern when you consider the winds of political change that are blowing at the moment.

That said, I don't see Agile as a big risk, you can switch out at any time, you just need to keep your eye on the ball. It's not really a sign up and forget about it kind of tariff.

I view it as relative. In this case, Agile pricing relative to the alternative(s) such as the Ofgem price cap. I can't control whether electricity prices go up or down, but I can choose one tariff over another.

Alnat1

I don't think any Octopus tariffs are "dual fuel" where you have to have gas and electricity on the same one. It sounds like you are on the Standard Variable tariff for each type.

For gas you can only choose SVT or Tracker. For electricity, without an EV, solar or battery storage, you can choose between SVT, Tracker or Agile. 

wrf12345

I had last winter down as a Siberian type, due to the weather cycle, and was completely wrong and weather forecasters are still pretty hopeless so anything could happen over winter. We have just had an old style British summer with lots of rain and some nice sunny days - as if global warming does not exist but it does so what is in store... on another note, Telsa is making huge battery farms in many countries and I am sure Great British Energy will be signing up for some of those which will help even out the peaks, making Agile less relevant.

qsk

Thanks all for the helpful comments. Much appreciated.

Alnat1 said:

I don't think any Octopus tariffs are "dual fuel" where you have to have gas and electricity on the same one. It sounds like you are on the Standard Variable tariff for each type.

For gas you can only choose SVT or Tracker. For electricity, without an EV, solar or battery storage, you can choose between SVT, Tracker or Agile. 

I'm on "Octopus 12m Fixed July 2024". Not sure if it is dual fuel but both my gas and electricity are on it. I'm considering to switch electricity to Agile April 2024 while continuing the gas on the fixed. Not sure if that is allowed.

Edit

Spoonie_Turtle

qsk said:

Thanks all for the helpful comments. Much appreciated.

Alnat1 said:

I don't think any Octopus tariffs are "dual fuel" where you have to have gas and electricity on the same one. It sounds like you are on the Standard Variable tariff for each type.

For gas you can only choose SVT or Tracker. For electricity, without an EV, solar or battery storage, you can choose between SVT, Tracker or Agile. 

I'm on "Octopus 12m Fixed July 2024". Not sure if it is dual fuel but both my gas and electricity are on it. I'm considering to switch electricity to Agile April 2024 while continuing the gas on the fixed. Not sure if that is allowed.

Edit

Can't see why not.

If it were a fix specifically for dual fuel it would almost certainly say that in the tariff name.

silverwhistle

Agile sems to have a slightly different profile in summer when the winter pattern of overnight wind brings the lowest prices. In summer this sometimes occurs but often with the assistance of solar it becomes the cheapest in the afternoon. Tomorrow for example (in my region) it's getting down to as low as 6.44p a kWh overnight but in the afternoon down to 2.65p.

My last monthly bill averaged 10.6p a unit and similar the month before. No home battery but do have an EV so I'll be topping up with 30 miles worth tomorrow at a price of around 0.75p a mile. I also have solar so all in all my bills aren't anything to worry about: a standing order for £50 which seesm actually a shade too high, but I'll wait until the end of winter before reviewing. Remember that price includes my motoring fuel cost as well. Being single I have more flexibility than a family might have, but simple timeswitches can achieve a lot.

Edit: I might wait for later in the week as it is likely to be windier with even lower prices, and more space in the car battery to benefit. But it does illustrate that although solar can have an impact it is wind that is the key driver, and that is often windier in winter.

Scot_39

Bendo said:

Agile was great last winter. Lots of wind tends to equal cheap electric.

Perversely though not for those on standard tariffs - as Ofgem been ramping up the estinated CfD component of wholesale costs - from £10 to £26 to £37 in last 3 cap periods.

And the older CfDs at upto 12p again compare unfavourably with gas generation.

wrf12345

CID - cost of crimes against the mighty energy retail cartel?

BarelySentientAI

wrf12345 said:

CID - cost of crimes against the mighty energy retail cartel?

Cost of getting someone to build something expensive you want them to rather than the cheap thing they want to.