 | Home > Off Topic > Energy costs - any savings out there? |
 
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2238   
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Can thoroughly recommend Octopus Energy (not just because we get some extra credit for recommending
 ). We are on their odd variable price tariff where out price changes every 30mins based on wholesale prices. Works well for us with minimal peak time usage and we have managed to average around 16-18p/KWh since the prices went mental earlier in the year.
Worth a look at least for their fixed tariffs, Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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24th May 2021 9:11am |
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| DAZ110 Member Since: 06 Dec 2007 Location: East Sussex Posts: 2051
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I'm about to change from Bulb Energy to Zebra Power after Bulb have put the their prices up 3 times recently.
So might be worth you having a look at Zebra Power: https://www.zebrapower.co.uk/#/ Last edited by DAZ110 on 24th May 2021 9:43am. Edited 1 time in total |
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24th May 2021 9:40am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3386
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The 'standard variable' rates change twice a year on April1st and October 1st. This is what is referred to as the 'price cap' and the maximum rates are set by the government. These 'standard' products are the ones you will default onto if you don't renew onto any specific when your fixed term deal comes to an end.
The level of the cap rarely changes by more than £100/year but this is for a customer with 'average usage'. If you use more than average, the increase will be higher. Energy companies can charge what they like for other products but then risk becoming uncompetitive. The spread of prices is much tighter now however since the price cap was introduced a couple of years back as they no longer have the flexibility to adjust their pricing models much. As a result, the difference between fixed term offerings and the default 'standard' tariff is no longer as big as it used to be. I'd try one of the switching sites such as uswitch / money supermarket.  |
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24th May 2021 9:41am |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4232 
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All our utility bills seem to have gone up in that last year or two despite doing a fair bit of shopping around where possible. We’ve now got a young child in the house so I dread to think what that’ll do to our bills
Incidentally, for gas and electricity I find the Martin Lewis comparison site the best. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS |
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24th May 2021 10:04am |
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| LiftedDisco Member Since: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Towcester Posts: 354 
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Many thanks so far...
I'd heard good things about Octopus, but they seem to be more expensive than Pure Planet and likewise Zebra (hadn't heard of them before, thanks..!) who are also more expensive! I've tried various of the comparison sites which then suggest we have a 'good deal' but it's irksome to find the current levels of increase being applied... I suspect it's going to be a case of paying the rate... the only cheaper option I seem to have come across is 'Outfox the Market' but their website doesn't inspire. |
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24th May 2021 10:54am |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 1043 
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I joined some group thing arranged by our local council (East Riding). They had a good deal from Octopus who were already our supplier. Quick call to Octopus and we were able to switch to the council's lower tariff.
They've not always been good deals but worth checking to see if your council does one. |
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24th May 2021 11:41am |
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| DAZ110 Member Since: 06 Dec 2007 Location: East Sussex Posts: 2051
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Scottish Power was the cheapest option for me, but the reviews for them are pretty poor so decided again it.
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24th May 2021 12:02pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4232
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Does anyone know, has deregulation of the energy industry resulted in cheaper bills than would otherwise have been the case? Just wondering if all the hassle of swapping suppliers every few years has been worth it. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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24th May 2021 1:19pm |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3386
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It's hard to compare against a nationalised industry where the price doesn't necessarily reflect the true underlying costs.
If you compare to other countries however, the UK price of electricity is c 25% cheaper than Germany but c60% more expensive than the states. Click image to enlarge |
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24th May 2021 1:54pm |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3386
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Also worth considering that the same energy supplier will charge a different rate based on where you are in the country.
So although Scottish Power or 'xyz' may be the cheapest in a certain area, that won't hold true for all areas of the country. |
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24th May 2021 2:08pm |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1330 
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Imagine what is likely to happen to electricity pricing when we are all pushed into buying electric vehicles and gas/oil boliers are no longer available for our homes? We all know what happens when competition is eliminated
 I bet the major electricity energy providers are already dancing with joy.
As a heavy user of off peak Economy 7 electricity I am looking at the Octopus Go and Go Faster tariffs. They are only available if you have a smart meter with 30 minute reporting. With 4 or 5 hours off peak at £0.05 per kWh and a peak rate of £0.154 at other times for our region, it is currently looking like the best deal by far for us. |
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24th May 2021 2:26pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4232
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Lohr - I think the answer to that is what they are calling “demand management”. People will be priced out of using energy at certain times to ensure there is enough to go around. It’s the hidden reason that smart meters are being pushed so heavily, as that gives the energy companies access to the data they need to vary pricing by hour and day. I have been on a little one-man resistance campaign to having a smart meter for that reason. Not that it’ll make difference as I’m sure you’ll only be able to get the competitive tariffs with a smart meter soon. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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24th May 2021 3:24pm |
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