Tomato Energy (Electric Only Supplier) - Too Good To Be True ?

whatisit

tlcgrantham said:

They have an EV version where you can get another hour at the 5p rate from midnight- 1:00am but you are charged 1p per kWh  extra on everything you use on the top rate. Also the evening 14p rate moves to 10:00pm  -midnight from 20:30pm- 22:30pm. 

Thanks for letting me know, I was aware.  The default tariff 5 hours is plenty for me, I don't do many miles in the car.  I thought he default option might be better in the long run with the cheaper 1p on expensive units and cheaper 20:30 window (if I need to use the oven for evening snacks).  Default tariff averages out at 15.5p kWh (over the day) and the EV option at 17.8p kWh.  The EV option SC charge is cheaper though with a saving of £7.45 over the year.

BargainBear

I'm trying to play around with TE's tariffs and "questions" to see which better suits our needs.

Did you all just choose lifestyle and not select any of the further questions?

masonic

BargainBear said:

I'm trying to play around with TE's tariffs and "questions" to see which better suits our needs.

Did you all just choose lifestyle and not select any of the further questions?

That's what I picked. The pensioner version was also tempting, but I liked the 5p rate in the early morning (and lower peak rate) more than the 40% discount in the mid-morning and evening.

tlcgrantham

Basically yes because when I tried the various questions none of them gave me a better tariff so I asked for and got the Lifestyle Tariff without answering questions. If you prefer another option they will probably let you have it just ask. 

BargainBear

Thanks for your replies, this is what I'm noticing too.

As soon as I answer the questions honestly, the tariff becomes less attractive.

masonic

BargainBear said:

Thanks for your replies, this is what I'm noticing too.

As soon as I answer the questions honestly, the tariff becomes less attractive.

None of the options applied to me in any of the sections. But it is clear that the questions are optional and if you don't want to customise the tariff to your lifestyle you don't have to. This was confirmed by someone who switched over the phone.

tlcgrantham

masonic said:

BargainBear said:

Thanks for your replies, this is what I'm noticing too.

As soon as I answer the questions honestly, the tariff becomes less attractive.

None of the options applied to me in any of the sections. But it is clear that the questions are optional and if you don't want to customise the tariff to your lifestyle you don't have to. This was confirmed by someone who switched over the phone.

That’s true. I was told I could choose and didn’t have to have the pensioner version though I am one. By the way, savings for me on the basic Lifestyle Tariff this month compared to Dec 23 Tracker are over £80.

Newbie_John

Yeah, the variety of Lifestyle tarrifs is surprising. Some of them are terrible, let's compare:
1) Solar only:
26p through most of the day
15p at 1-6am, 9:30-11:30, 20:30-22:30

vs

2) Default lifestyle (nothing selected) 
23p through most of the day (3p cheaper)
5p at 1-6am (10p cheaper)
14p at 9:30-11:30, 20:30-22:30 (1p cheaper)

So clearly the "solar" is a pointless option as "solar" owners would be better with the "default" tarrif.

The only tarrifs worth considering are:
a) default Lifestyle
b) EV+Battery - longer 5p period and 20:30-22:30 moved to 22:00-0:00, and 1p more expensive during the day
c) Intensity - once we understand how it works - but it's similar to default Lifestyle with 15% discount during green hours - so in theory the day rate can be anywhere between 22-26p, and night rate 4.6-5.6p 

and completely different if you don't need 5p at night:

d) Pensioner - tbh I'm still surprised they're offering it - 15p between 16-21   

retailtherapist

I am thinking of moving over to TE too and came across this thread. Is anyone coming over on a standard non-smart meter? I only get one tariff option for this. Also what's everyone doing for gas? Keeping it with current provider?

bob2302

retailtherapist said:

I am thinking of moving over to TE too and came across this thread. Is anyone coming over on a standard non-smart meter? I only get one tariff option for this. Also what's everyone doing for gas? Keeping it with current provider?

I kept my gas where it was, but it's an unrelated decision, you can do what you want with it.

If you don't have a smart meter I'd suggest getting one before moving - it may not connect.