Moving house - which product

Ivrytwr3

We are due to move house in the next 2 months and are looking at getting the best product suitable to our needs (gas and elec).

We are a 2 adult, 2 toddler family moving into a 3 bed semi (we are currently in a 3 bed semi).

We pay all our bills online.

We want to stay with Powergen (eon), maybe not the cheapest, but we have never had any problems with them.

We are currently on:

"E.ON Energy Plan: combines savings on the electricity and gas in your home, with the additional benefits of a unique energy saving pack."


Electricity
Normal units up to 900 kWhs
19.2465 pence

Normal units
10.5525 pence per kWh

Gas
Normal units up to 2680 kWhs
4.5696 pence

Normal units
2.9127 pence per kWh

Last bill:

Total electricity charges 176.26
Total gas charges 156.84
Discount 9.98 CR
Sub total of charges before VAT = 323.12
VAT @ 5.0% on £323.12
Total charges including VAT = 339.28
Account balance from your last bill on 17 December 2007


and the options are stay with current product or:

EnergyGuarantee 4

We guarantee to keep our electricity and gas prices cheaper than British Gas until 1 June 2009.

Electricity
Normal units up to 500 kWhs
23.562 pence

Normal units
10.5 pence per kWh

Gas
Normal units up to 2680 kWhs
6.1887 pence

Normal units
2.57145 pence per kWh

Go Green

Electricity from 100% renewable sources, plus we'll offset the gas generated by your home.

Electricity
Normal units up to 900 kWhs
19.635 pence

Normal units
10.7625 pence per kWh

Gas
Normal units up to 2680 kWhs
4.66095 pence

Normal units
2.97045 pence per kWh

Energy Online Extra Saver 6

Designed for people who want the flexibility and convenience of managing their energy bills over the internet.

Electricity
Normal units
10.5525 pence per kWh

Standing Charge
21.336 pence per Day

Gas
Normal units
2.9127 pence per kWh

Standing Charge
12.1695 pence per Day

Energy Saver

Cap your prices until October 2009 and receive a free energy monitor

Electricity
Normal units up to 900 kWhs
19.635 pence

Normal units
10.7625 pence per kWh

Gas
Normal units up to 2680 kWhs
4.66095 pence

Normal units
2.97045 pence per kWh

Price Protection v14

Switch to E.ON Price Protection today and we guarantee not to increase your energy prices until October 2009

Electricity
Normal units up to 900 kWhs
19.635 pence

Normal units
10.7625 pence per kWh

Gas
Normal units up to 2680 kWhs
4.66095 pence

Normal units
2.97045 pence per kWh

Energy Online Extra Saver 6

Designed for people who want the flexibility and convenience of managing their energy bills over the internet.

Electricity
Normal units up to 900 kWhs
19.2465 pence

Normal units
10.5525 pence per kWh

Gas
Normal units up to 2680 kWhs
4.5696 pence

Normal units
2.9127 pence per kWh

Any thoughts?

whatatwit

As you will presumably have the same appliances and heating sources, i think the best thing you can do is to get out a pen and a calculator along with your last 12 months utility bills.
Based upon how many units you have used in each quarter, you should be able to calculate what your bill would have been with each supplier.

Make sure you take into account that the higher rate for the first so many units will be applied each quarter and not just yearly.

Have fun.

Ivrytwr3

so there's nothing jumping out saying i should switch?

whatatwit

Without knowing how much you use each quarter, it's difficult to compare products when the rate varies and also the amount of units you are charged for at the higher rate varies.

When I think about changing suppliers, I like to calculate what my bill 'would have been' with each one.....then I know I've got the best deal.

Also, when you do move, you will be able to set up a realistic direct debit as you know what your average usage is for a similar sized property.

mute_posting

Never compare usage on £'s

Always put in the KWh's you have used for past year (or are likely to use based on your property - some sites will suggest a figure or help you work it out)

Only when the calculation has been done, do you need to worry about the £'s and p figure.

The energy companies would LOVE you to compare based on monthly DD (or other £'s based figure) as it allows them all sorts of jiggery-pokery - I think Martin mentioned it in this weeks email (and I have made a point about it a week or two ago on this forum).

HTH

MP

whatatwit

mute_posting wrote: »

Never compare usage on £'s

HTH

MP

I presume you mean in trying to compare unit rates charged, rather than £'s spent p/a if you had been on that tariff.

mute_posting

whatatwit wrote: »

I presume you mean in trying to compare unit rates charged, rather than £'s spent p/a if you had been on that tariff.

No, I mean on monthly DD or pa spend.

With tier 1 and 2 rates confusiung things it is vital that you base any comparrison on actual number of units used (and if you has E7 or E10 etc. with the correct split between the two based on past usage preferably)

MP