Choosing a new suppliers's electricity tariff

[Andygodber]

Ive just had my reminder from the utility company that my cheap tariff will revert to their standard tariff at the end of the year.

Ive noticed that the new standard tariff has a significantly reduced daily standing charge - down to 14.70p from 24.54; the kWh charge goes up to 12.77p from 9.73p.

Having seen the reduced daily rate, and with my PV due to come online in the next week, it strikes me that I should be looking for a tariff with a very low day rate, given that Ive tried to reduce my usage, and the generated power will reduce this further. In this case, the new standard rate might be better......

Am I right? Im aware one can check the Utility companies rates online, but what are other folk paying after the recent rises, and did you take this ino account?

[CeeBee]

I've stuck with Ebico http://www.ebico.org.uk/ since my first switch away from the 'usual' about 5 years ago. At the time, it was a very good deal. These days not so clear cut, but I like their model with zero standing charge, and a single unit cost (no 'this much more for your first so-many units'). I pay quarterly direct debit (i.e. the actual bill amount), and I think I'm getting a direct debit discount even though the Ebico tariff isn't supposed to offer this (the basis is 'same rate for all' no matter how you pay, including pre-payment mater). Looking at their rate table, it's presently around 14.5p to 15.5p per kWh depending where you live (Economy 7 available as well - I'm on that). I don't use much electricity (just the greenhouse that 'wastes' some!), so doubt I could save much by messing about switching again. With Ebico, you actually deal with SSE (who do the account admin for them), so to all intents and purposes, you are an SSE (Southern Electric) customer, but on a tariff that SSE probably won't switch you to without you applying to Ebico.

As you say, the smaller your usage, the more this true zero-standing charge model is a benefit - I used it to great advantage on an unoccupied house for a while!

[brackwell]

They have to get you one way or another and i think something like U switch will help you the best as you can tailor it to your usage.

For the gas,not the elec, then ceebee has a point.  I have solar thermal and have a min use of gas (£200/yr) but the boiler is off for 6 months of the year when the ebico rate would work out great.

Ken

[stannn]

 I change supplier annually, for economy, even though we are low users of electricity and have no gas (1650 day units, 828 night units typically per annum).
In July 2011, I switched to the Ovo New Energy Fixed tariff with a standing charge of 18.1p/ day, normal units 11.87p and off-peak units 5.06p (all plus 5% VAT). At that stage I had not decided to go ahead with PV but it was installed 2 months later when I became fairly sure that our Government was not going to do the dirty on those people who took it up for the Feed in Tariff.
I'm still not sure whether I have the best tariff for my circumstances. Can anyone beat this?
Stan

[martin W]

more on the gas than anything else...

Npower (and I think some others) alter your gas payment say 6p a unit for first 2400 units per year then 3p a unit. it sort of covers the standing charge. however N power seem to say 300 units per summer at higher rate and then the rest during winter.

IE you only pay the high rate when you are really using all the units if you see what I mean.

PRICES AND UNITS ARE JUST VALUES USED TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA ON HOW IT WORKS.....  they are not the real costs and units offered...