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Main site > Forums > Household & Travel > Energy > Easiest to use comparison site
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      busybee100
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    • By busybee100 7th Dec 18, 12:03 AM
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      What's this?

    busybee100
    Easiest to use comparison site
    • #1
    • 7th Dec 18, 12:03 AM
    Easiest to use comparison site 7th Dec 18 at 12:03 AM
    I've previously used Uswitch and tweaked the dates to get them to compare exactly but now they've made it harder as you have to click through each option so see exit fees etc. So I tried moneysupermarket which will compare just the two tariffs, there I saw different results to Uswitch. Then I tried comparethemarket which again could compare just the tariffs but isn't easy to navigate between dual and single fuel. Another site said it had over 40 suppliers listed and threw up a couple of new suppliers. They all default to recommended or switch through us and I'm finding it much more complicated that it was 10 years ago.


    Which is your go to comparison site? What should I watch out for with their defaults and filters?

    Sorry!

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      Houbara
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    • By Houbara 7th Dec 18, 9:15 AM
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      What's this?

    Houbara
    • #2
    • 7th Dec 18, 9:15 AM
    • #2
    • 7th Dec 18, 9:15 AM
    I would stick with the Uswitch/Ukpower comp site..They have evolved into the easiest and clearest to use. You only need to click/on tariff details if you need to see the exact kwh/price. The total yearly price is clearly shown .
    Its the easiest to use to filter separate gas/electric quotes or go back and play with different edits of eco7 usage or total kwh usage..
    The horrible cheap/slow MSE one is useless in comparison but that is the one I go to to do a switch and collect any cashbacks.

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      gsmlnx
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    • By gsmlnx 7th Dec 18, 9:53 AM
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      What's this?

    gsmlnx
    • #3
    • 7th Dec 18, 9:53 AM
    • #3
    • 7th Dec 18, 9:53 AM
    Citizens Advice Bureau (powered by energylinx)
    https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk/

    Find the tariff and then look around for any potential cashback elsewhere.

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      lindens
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    • By lindens 7th Dec 18, 10:12 AM
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      What's this?

    lindens
    • #4
    • 7th Dec 18, 10:12 AM
    • #4
    • 7th Dec 18, 10:12 AM
    WEFLIP is a new one, they keep on comparing after you switch
    You're not your * could have not of * Debt not dept *

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      molerat
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    • By molerat 7th Dec 18, 11:09 AM
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      What's this?

    molerat
    • #5
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:09 AM
    • #5
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:09 AM
    CEC used to be OK but they have redesigned it and is now awful, you now cannot compare your current and proposed tariffs side by side.
    https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/give-support/donate-now/

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      wavelets
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    • By wavelets 7th Dec 18, 11:22 AM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    • #6
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:22 AM
    • #6
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:22 AM
    “
    I've previously used Uswitch and tweaked the dates to get them to compare exactly but now they've made it harder as you have to click through each option so see exit fees etc. So I tried moneysupermarket which will compare just the two tariffs, there I saw different results to Uswitch. Then I tried comparethemarket which again could compare just the tariffs but isn't easy to navigate between dual and single fuel. Another site said it had over 40 suppliers listed and threw up a couple of new suppliers. They all default to recommended or switch through us and I'm finding it much more complicated that it was 10 years ago.


    Which is your go to comparison site? What should I watch out for with their defaults and filters?
    Originally posted by busybee100 ”
    I always use an ofgem accredited comparsion site (and sometimes MSE who use the Ofgem accredited MSM site as their source of tariff data).

    I posted a full list of Ofgem accredited comparison sites here:
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=74326453&postcount=3690

    Take your pick

    Don't forget you can get possible cashback is you use the comparison sites MSE suggest in their article here (using the MSE links provided):
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity/


    ... and I'll include a another link to an ofgem accredited comparison site that offers potential cashback, as this is sopposed to be a moneysaving website
    https://www.energylinx.co.uk/energy/cashback/
    Exactly the same results as the link gsmlnx provided, but with possible cashback

    If filters are applied by default, ensure you open them all.
    In particular, you want to see the whole of market (i.e including those suppliers & tariffs the supplier daoes not make money on/will not become involved in switching you to)
    Last edited by wavelets; 07-12-2018 at 11:41 AM.

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      wavelets
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    • By wavelets 7th Dec 18, 11:39 AM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    • #7
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:39 AM
    • #7
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:39 AM
    “
    WEFLIP is a new one, they keep on comparing after you switch
    Originally posted by lindens ”
    weflip is a trading name of GoCompare.com Limited, who is registered in England and Wales. Reg. No. 05799376. Registered office Imperial House, Imperial Way, Newport, Gwent, NP10 8UH.

    Weflip is not a comparison site - it is an auto switching site.
    It uses the GoCompare Ofgem accredited comparison site to obtain it's tariff data.
    You give Weflip/GoCompare full control to switch you to who they will make the best money out of think you will be better off with.

    MSE Martin has said such sites may have a use to some, but (a) not all suppliers agree to give backhanders to swiching/comparison sites, and (b) Martin also worries that with the increase in such sites, suppliers will deny further paying such moneymaking sites, hence restricting the choice to a very limited number of suppliers.

    I think the poster was looking for a comparison site.

    If you want more, the an alerting service is a better alternative (imo) if you don't want to keep monitoring the situation yourself. The monitoring service will alert you to any cheaper deal available (whether or not you can then switch via them) - so you keep in full control of who your supplier is.
    e.g. you won't get switch to a supplier you have had a bad experience with in the past.

    Some other sites as well as MSE CEC that are starting to offer an equivilent monitoring and alert service (e.g. EnergyHelpLine)

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      busybee100
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    • By busybee100 7th Dec 18, 11:52 AM
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      What's this?

    busybee100
    • #8
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:52 AM
    • #8
    • 7th Dec 18, 11:52 AM
    Well I got the laptop out and have found Uswitch is still the same layout. Much easier to read and navigate than my phone.



    The problem I've got now with Uswitch is they are using the standard variable tariff for most of the year as my fixed tariff finishes at the end of April 19 so I'm going to do a spread sheet to check some of these figures.



    I would like Uswitch to offer the option of just comparing the next 4/5 months as the figures they give are a bit misleading.

    Sorry!

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      wavelets
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    • By wavelets 7th Dec 18, 12:14 PM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    • #9
    • 7th Dec 18, 12:14 PM
    • #9
    • 7th Dec 18, 12:14 PM
    “
    Well I got the laptop out and have found Uswitch is still the same layout. Much easier to read and navigate than my phone.



    The problem I've got now with Uswitch is they are using the standard variable tariff for most of the year as my fixed tariff finishes at the end of April 19 so I'm going to do a spread sheet to check some of these figures.



    I would like Uswitch to offer the option of just comparing the next 4/5 months as the figures they give are a bit misleading.
    Originally posted by busybee100 ”
    All ofgem accredited comparison sites must calculate the savings in this manner.

    But more and more are also offering to make the calculation based on what you would pay based on your existing tariff, despite that existing tariff ending within the year that the quotation/savings will be for.

    You can do this with uSwitch by clicking on 'What will I pay?', and then click on 'Compare costs to my current plan'

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    • By busybee100 7th Dec 18, 12:20 PM
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      What's this?

    busybee100
    Thank you for that wavelets I'll go have a look.


    I can see personal projection, current plan, rollover plan.

    Where is the "what will I pay?" button?


    Oh. Found it. Only displays on tariffs available through Uswitch though.
    Last edited by busybee100; 07-12-2018 at 12:31 PM.

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      wavelets
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    • By wavelets 7th Dec 18, 12:51 PM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    “
    Thank you for that wavelets I'll go have a look.


    I can see personal projection, current plan, rollover plan.

    Where is the "what will I pay?" button?


    Oh. Found it. Only displays on tariffs available through Uswitch though.
    Originally posted by busybee100 ”
    Yes, uSwitch only show savings for the tariffs they can switch you to.

    But the annual cost of each tarif is shown for all tariffs.

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    • By busybee100 7th Dec 18, 1:11 PM
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      What's this?

    busybee100
    If I use their annual calculation it says I save £250. Using a spread sheet for the top four suppliers, just for the next four months, the most I can save is £50.

    Sorry!

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    • By wavelets 7th Dec 18, 1:16 PM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    “
    If I use their annual calculation it says I save £250. Using a spread sheet for the top four suppliers, just for the next four months, the most I can save is £50.
    Originally posted by busybee100 ”
    Costs & savings are based on an annual amount. (although uSwitch do give a breakdown of how they get those i.e. they will give you the cost until the end of your current tariff, and then the cost for the reaminder of the year based on the default tariff)

    I suggest you check the results with another couple of comparison sites to see what results are obtained, as it is unlikely that 2 independent sites will come up with exactly the same wrong answer.

    If the other 2 sites come up with a common answer, then perhaps uSwitch site has an error (it's not unknown with 70+ suppliers each with all their range of tariffs, often changing by region too).
    You should notify the site if you think they have made such an error, with a brief explanation as to why you believe they have got it wrong.
    Last edited by wavelets; 07-12-2018 at 1:21 PM.

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    Life would have been a lot simpler if Ofgem had just accepted EDF’s suggestion that all suppliers contribute towards a single price comparison website.

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      wavelets
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    • By wavelets 7th Dec 18, 2:41 PM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    “
    Life would have been a lot simpler if Ofgem had just accepted EDF’s suggestion that all suppliers contribute towards a single price comparison website.
    Originally posted by Hengus ”
    Life will be a lot simpler if we were all to vote Jeremy Corbyn into power.

    Then there will be no need for energy price comparsion sites as he'll tell us where we will be buying it all from - although your local community may need to produce it first

    As an added bonus, we'll all be doing our bit to reduce climate change, as rumour has it, we'll all be issued with out own red caps to keep our bonce's warm too.

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      busybee100
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    • By busybee100 7th Dec 18, 3:23 PM
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      What's this?

    busybee100
    “
    Costs & savings are based on an annual amount. (although uSwitch do give a breakdown of how they get those i.e. they will give you the cost until the end of your current tariff, and then the cost for the reaminder of the year based on the default tariff)

    I suggest you check the results with another couple of comparison sites to see what results are obtained, as it is unlikely that 2 independent sites will come up with exactly the same wrong answer.

    If the other 2 sites come up with a common answer, then perhaps uSwitch site has an error (it's not unknown with 70+ suppliers each with all their range of tariffs, often changing by region too).
    You should notify the site if you think they have made such an error, with a brief explanation as to why you believe they have got it wrong.
    Originally posted by wavelets ”

    I don't think they have it wrong. The difference between the two figures is 8 months on the default tariff. £50 of the £250 is for the next 4 months.

    Sorry!

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  • archived user
    “
    Costs & savings are based on an annual amount. (although uSwitch do give a breakdown of how they get those i.e. they will give you the cost until the end of your current tariff, and then the cost for the reaminder of the year based on the default tariff)

    I suggest you check the results with another couple of comparison sites to see what results are obtained, as it is unlikely that 2 independent sites will come up with exactly the same wrong answer.

    If the other 2 sites come up with a common answer, then perhaps uSwitch site has an error (it's not unknown with 70+ suppliers each with all their range of tariffs, often changing by region too).
    You should notify the site if you think they have made such an error, with a brief explanation as to why you believe they have got it wrong.
    Originally posted by wavelets ”
    Switching suppliers based on a savings comparison has long been a flawed concept - even more so now with the relaxation in the way that suppliers and PCWs can calculate Estimated Annual Consumption and with the Default Tariff. Compare present cost with future costs is one way: the other, is just ignore any savings.

    https://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2018/11/martin-lewis---warning--energy-price-comparison-savings-are-wron/?_ga=2.5801523.122992166.1542540753-1045363169.1507724648

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      moneysaver129
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    • By moneysaver129 9th Dec 18, 2:43 AM
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      What's this?

    moneysaver129
    I used Uswitch twice and they were a disaster. The suppliers they directed me to didn't accept my readings and imposed their figures instead. Also the projections are totally misleading. The whole system seems to be fake. Don't use comparison sites/switching sites - they just give you problems.

    Sorry!

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      wavelets
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    • wavelets
    • By wavelets 9th Dec 18, 11:21 AM
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      What's this?

    wavelets
    “
    I don't think they have it wrong. The difference between the two figures is 8 months on the default tariff. £50 of the £250 is for the next 4 months.
    Originally posted by busybee100 ”
    I am glad you now agree that uSwitch do not have it wrong.

    Comparison sites quote annual costs (based on your usage) - and savings are calculated also on an annual basis.

    You will save £250 p.a. switching via uSwitch compared to not doing anything. (assuming no price changes, you remain on the new tariff for the whole year, your usage doesn't vary from that expected, etc, i.e. based on the information known today)

    Sorry!

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