Check your figures
After moving into my new flat1, I decided that I'd rather sign up with an energy provider other than the default (let's call the default EP1, and the new one EP2). This doesn't happen instantly, and I was still billed by the EP1 until the EP2 took over.
Just as the EP2 was about to take over (as in a day before), someone from EP1 came along to my door, stuck his foot in and loudly (Jules said his voice was definitely raised) told us that we were paying over the odds, that they provided the energy and EP2 bought it off them and so they must charge us more. He quoted some numbers at me very quickly, but despite underlining some figures, he wouldn't allow me to keep the flyer containing all the values (no idea why not, he had about 30 in his bag). I told him I would investigate myself, and he could come back on Monday.
I assume the guy wasn't aware that many people were taught how to work with tariffs back at school when we were 11 (or near enough). Just because one tariff contains a bigger number than another, doesn't mean you'll end up paying more.
In fact the guy never did show up again, and it's just as well. I phoned EP2 to find out exactly how their tariff broke down (they gleefully told me that this was their very cheapest tariff, which I took with a pinch of salt), and used my bill from EP1 to work out my energy consumption and the various charges2. This being January to March, I will assume that my consumption will only go down over the summer. I used this data to work out how the two companies compared, fearing that I had made a bad decision. Well, the good news is that I didn't (assuming all the figures people have given to me are correct). In fact, no matter how much energy I use (0 kWh or 3000 kWh), it costs less to be with EP2, and that applies to both electricity and gas.
Moral: it pays to check the figures. And salespeople think you're stupid. And hooray for maths!
1. Flatwarming party, will be happening soon. ish.
2. I didn't realise you have to pay VAT on gas and electricity. WTF? I would have thought electricity at least would have been determined essential to live, even if it was only the first X kW hours tax free.
Just as the EP2 was about to take over (as in a day before), someone from EP1 came along to my door, stuck his foot in and loudly (Jules said his voice was definitely raised) told us that we were paying over the odds, that they provided the energy and EP2 bought it off them and so they must charge us more. He quoted some numbers at me very quickly, but despite underlining some figures, he wouldn't allow me to keep the flyer containing all the values (no idea why not, he had about 30 in his bag). I told him I would investigate myself, and he could come back on Monday.
I assume the guy wasn't aware that many people were taught how to work with tariffs back at school when we were 11 (or near enough). Just because one tariff contains a bigger number than another, doesn't mean you'll end up paying more.
In fact the guy never did show up again, and it's just as well. I phoned EP2 to find out exactly how their tariff broke down (they gleefully told me that this was their very cheapest tariff, which I took with a pinch of salt), and used my bill from EP1 to work out my energy consumption and the various charges2. This being January to March, I will assume that my consumption will only go down over the summer. I used this data to work out how the two companies compared, fearing that I had made a bad decision. Well, the good news is that I didn't (assuming all the figures people have given to me are correct). In fact, no matter how much energy I use (0 kWh or 3000 kWh), it costs less to be with EP2, and that applies to both electricity and gas.
Moral: it pays to check the figures. And salespeople think you're stupid. And hooray for maths!
1. Flatwarming party, will be happening soon. ish.
2. I didn't realise you have to pay VAT on gas and electricity. WTF? I would have thought electricity at least would have been determined essential to live, even if it was only the first X kW hours tax free.