Low energy user, which is a good fixed or variable tariff to go for?

Numb_fingers

Hello

I'm a low energy user and my fixed rate finished a while ago and now I'm on Scottish Power standard tariff.
I'm in the North West, which is a good fixed or variable tariff to go for?

Thanks

Gas 5,735 kWh/yr

Gas provider: ScottishPower

Tariff: Fixed Price August 2024 YM1

End date:31 August 2024

Electricity 1,042 kWh/yr

Electricity provider: ScottishPower

Tariff: Fixed Price August 2024 YM1

End date: 31 August 2024

MikeJXE

Not much use giving your usage without the cost per unit 

I’m a low user too but I take into account standing charge which makes up 50% of my bill 

Numb_fingers

Tariff Details

Standard Online

Electricity

Elec consumption charge 24 hr block unit rate	25.386p
Standing charge	67.88p
Exit fee	Not applicable

Gas

Gas 24 hr Consumption Charge	6.211p
Standing charge	31.91p
Exit fee	Not applicable

Unit rate(s) and Standard charge shown include VAT.

EssexHebridean

Are those the prices from your old fix OP - I ask as you previously gave the detail of that? If so you will need to use the current variable rates for your region to compare. Make sure the rates you are looking at are those that apply from 1/10/24

If the rates you have shown are the current ones, then it may be worth looking at a move to Octopus as even their SVR would be a saving for you. If you are considering that be sure to ask family or friends for a referral code as that will gain both you and them £50 energy credit - Octopus are big enough these days that you are bound to have someone close to you who is supplied by them! 

Numb_fingers

I'm now on the Standard tariff, my previous tariff ended in August

Scot_39

Mse have once again updated their fix or not.

It now shows prices vs only current svt (regional average so check your region) tge previous showed relative to both Jul and Oct.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/are-there-any-cheap-fixed-energy-deals-currently-worth-it/

Low or zero fees remove risk If anything does happen on SC to benefit low users following Offem recent consultation exercise  - over the fix period - year or so.

Octopus at 8.8% (regional ave so do check your figures) less - even more so with a friends £50 referral code looks like a no risk move if willing to switch as a low user and concerned prices may change.

Even their svt used to be a little lower than the rest (2% on SC - £12 pa - but haven't checked recently)

wrf12345

Tomato energy have a relatively low electric s/c but don't seem to have got their act together on transfers, British Gas also have something I think but terrible on trying to increase direct debits every three months (no variable direct debits) - I am low user and have managed to use Octopus Agile (Time of Use) tariff to knock off about 20 percent of my bill (twelve month tariff but no exit fees and managed to lock in pre April s/c so that helps a little). The energy minister is still asleep and allowing Ofgem to continue to increase s/c's rather than abolish them - something wrong when retail energy can buy electric for 8-9p a unit and sell it for 22-23p a unit and have absurdly large s/c's.

Starlight101

My current supplier has lower standing charges as well.

In the North West their fixed rate is: 
  

Electricity

Daily Standing Charge   35.735 pence .

Tariff: per kWh                23.820 pence 

End date:30 September 2025

Gas

Daily Standing Charge     21.187 pence

Tariff: per kWh                   5.864 pence

End date:30 September 2025

All prices include VAT AT 5% 

EssexHebridean

Which provider is that Starlight, and is that fix still available as it looks to be a September product? 

bristolleedsfan

EssexHebridean said:

Which provider is that Starlight, and is that fix still available as it looks to be a September product? 

British Gas, it is a currently available tariff, also offer refer a friend £35 amazon single fuel switch, £75  amazon dual fuel switch

• Tariff ends on 11th October 2025.- relates to quote date

Electricity tariff costs

Unit rate

25.011p per kWh (inc. VAT)

Standing charge

35.597p per day (inc. VAT)

Exit fee

£50 per fuel
You won’t pay an exit fee if you switch to another British Gas fixed tariff

Gas tariff costs

Unit rate

6.157p per kWh (inc. VAT)

Standing charge

23.542p per day (inc. VAT)

Exit fee

£50 per fuel
You won’t pay an exit fee if you switch to another British Gas fixed tariff.


Octopus same region 12 month fix 
Electricity

• Unit rate:24.62 p/kWh
• Standing charge:49.98 p/day

Gas

• Unit rate:5.75 p/kWh
• Standing charge:29.71 p/day