Cheap gas/electricity

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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I was going to post this in the "isn't gas/leccy expensive" thread but I could see it getting buried....

Anyway, that nice Martin who saves you money has an online tool for checking your gas/electric prices and seeing if it can get you a better deal.

I thought I was on a great tariff after his last advice but I checked it yesterday and there's a new deal that will save me £120 a year plus £30 cashback. I posted it on FB and a mate reckons he's going to save £600.

Takes about 3 mins to check and another 2 to switch if there's a better deal. I believe Martin gets a kickback for the switching firm but it doesn't affect your price.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub
 
Cheers for that!

Just saved £19 per month :D

Have a virtual beer on me :beer:
 
Has anyone really actually saved by using one of these switching sites?
I know the switch sites will tell you you can save by switching but has anyone seen it come true for them?
 
gramps said:
Has anyone really actually saved by using one of these switching sites?
I know the switch sites will tell you you can save by switching but has anyone seen it come true for them?
Click to expand...

Yes - just have to do it every 18 months or so.

Often can get a tie in with Quidco/Top Cash Back as well to get even more off
 
gramps said:
Has anyone really actually saved by using one of these switching sites?
I know the switch sites will tell you you can save by switching but has anyone seen it come true for them?
Click to expand...

Yes. The cost per unit goes down. I use no more fuel. I save money ;) Also £30 to switch so even if the deal is identical it can pay to switch.
 
gramps said:
Has anyone really actually saved by using one of these switching sites?
I know the switch sites will tell you you can save by switching but has anyone seen it come true for them?
Click to expand...

Check post #2 gramps ;)
 
gramps said:
But you only signed up yesterday, how do you know you will save that over the year?
Click to expand...

Because my current DD with Eon is £75 p/m, the energy I've used over the last year has been recorded and my DD was going to be put up to £86 p/m, based on the same usage my DD will be £68 p/m under the new deal.

Plus even though I'm on a fixed tariff, it will only cost me £10 to leave if there's a cheaper deal :)
 
Cheers Jonathan.... Were on a fixed deal ATM but this runs out in may....

After this time apparently we revert automatically to their standard tariff and would see bills increase by nearly £300 if we did nothing.

What're the chances of them telling us before this happens eh??

Note in diary to check again in April. :thumbs:
 
Russ77 said:
Because my current DD with Eon is £75 p/m, the energy I've used over the last year has been recorded and my DD was going to be put up to £86 p/m, based on the same usage my DD will be £68 p/m under the new deal.

Plus even though I'm on a fixed tariff, it will only cost me £10 to leave if there's a cheaper deal :)
Click to expand...

Thanks, in the past I have switched and found no difference in DD by the time it all went through.
There seems to be no rationale behind the DD costs (other than the company getting the money) as I am forever having to reclaim excess monies paid. My last switch dropped my cost on paper but within 3 months I had notification that "we need to adjust your DD" ... hence my question.
 
How can they know after 3 months what your annual use will be? They cant. So they give you a load of bull about projections just so they can get your money and let it make interest for them rather than you.

Mine went up recently, I rang to tell em to GTFO and he said, honestly, "Oh we're putting it up because its going to be a colder winter this year" What! Have they got a crystal ball now as well?! Sh*tehawks.
 
gramps said:
Thanks, in the past I have switched and found no difference in DD by the time it all went through.
There seems to be no rationale behind the DD costs (other than the company getting the money) as I am forever having to reclaim excess monies paid. My last switch dropped my cost on paper but within 3 months I had notification that "we need to adjust your DD" ... hence my question.
Click to expand...

I wonder if that was because over the past few years, energy prices have been on the up but over the last year they've been more stable and/or dropping?

When I moved into my house in March 2013, I switched to a new Eon tariff in April. They estimated my usage would be x and set my DD at £110 per month, this time last year they credited me nearly £400 and dropped my DD to £75 per month but during this year my energy consumption had increased (had a baby in June so more washing, heating and hot water) so based on current prices they new my DD would need to go up to £86 to cover the additional usage.

I get your point though, the problem is there are so many variables it can be difficult to get the pricing spot on, for example it's been a reasonably mild winter and only really got cold in the last month. In 2012 there was snow on the ground in November and we had 3 very cold months so the chances are you'd pay a lot more to keep your house warm.
 
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gramps said:
Thanks, in the past I have switched and found no difference in DD by the time it all went through.
There seems to be no rationale behind the DD costs (other than the company getting the money) as I am forever having to reclaim excess monies paid. My last switch dropped my cost on paper but within 3 months I had notification that "we need to adjust your DD" ... hence my question.
Click to expand...

As well as all their other little wheezes, DDs are one of the energy companies' best little earners. By adding £5 a month to everybody's DD, they get and extra £1.2 BILLION per year to invest. The days of 7% interest in the bank may be over but if you know what you're doing, then you can make a lot of money off an interest free loan of 1.2B. They have to give it back eventually, but in the meantime they can make some serious money.

Just change the DD to whatever you feel comfortable with.
 
DorsetDude said:
Is it that easy?
I'd rather deliberately underpay then make up any shortfall every 6 months say.
Click to expand...

It is yes, I've done it twice ... but they may keep on 'suggesting' you need to up it :rolleyes:
 
Russ77 said:
Because my current DD with Eon is £75 p/m, the energy I've used over the last year has been recorded and my DD was going to be put up to £86 p/m, based on the same usage my DD will be £68 p/m under the new deal.
Plus even though I'm on a fixed tariff, it will only cost me £10 to leave if there's a cheaper deal :)
Click to expand...

I've go no real complaints about Eon.
The "self managing" DD's are quite handy and the (Monthly recommended) prices on gas have been falling steadily too.
Except when I checked it yesterday, and the electric "forecast" was set to break even in time for my "next review"
They wanted me to increase my monthly payment by 3 quid.
I don't think so !
 
I'm with Ovo Energy and I'm quite happy for them to set my direct debit payments too high. They pay 3% interest when you're in credit, which is more than I get from the bank!
 
Daryl said:
Time to Nationalise the Utilities and Railways......

free corsets for under 5s and Ban morris dancing.
Click to expand...

I can give you a tip that will get you gas free

simply eat a curry chicken madras and neck two big bottles of king fisher... then take the dog for a walk , et voila instant gas , for free ;)
 
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