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

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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

Comments

  • MikeJXE
    MikeJXE Posts: 3,856 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    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 
  • 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
    EssexHebridean Posts: 24,421 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 2 October 2024 at 11:43AM
    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! 
    🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
    Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
    Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
    £100k barrier broken 1/4/25
    SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculator
    she/her
  • I'm now on the Standard tariff, my previous tariff ended in August
  • Scot_39
    Scot_39 Posts: 3,433 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 2 October 2024 at 4:06PM
    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
    wrf12345 Posts: 867 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts
    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
    Starlight101 Posts: 8 Forumite
    First Post
    edited 10 October 2024 at 1:49PM

    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% 


  • Which provider is that Starlight, and is that fix still available as it looks to be a September product? 
    🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
    Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
    Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
    £100k barrier broken 1/4/25
    SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculator
    she/her
  • bristolleedsfan
    bristolleedsfan Posts: 12,644 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 10 October 2024 at 12:48PM
    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
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