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Rank 2
November 13, 2021

Renewal dilemma discussion - What's the best option (fixed or variable) in the current energy market?

  • November 13, 2021
  • 58 replies
  • 1938 views

Hi everyone ☺️

I have been a dual fuel customer with Ovo for over 7 years and have always ensured I get the best fixed rate deals possible. My dual fuel fixed rate deals expire on different dates (long story). My electric fixed rate deal expires 04/12/21 and my gas fixed rate deal expires in June 2022. For this reason, I am only asking about my electric as this deal is about to end.

 

Taking into account that fellow forum members can only provide non-binding guidance and thoughts, I wondered what everyone's views are about the following...... Based on the information below, if you were me, would you lock-in to a new 3 year fixed electric deal commencing on 05/12/21 (note: the rate cost I am being offered has fallen twice in the last 4 weeks!!). Here is my situation:

 

Current electric deal (05/12/19 to 04/12/21):

Unit rate: 15.22p/kWh 

Standing charge: 27.40p/day

 

New 3yr electric deal (05/12/21 to 04/12/24):

Unit rate: 25.41p/kWh

Standing charge: 25.64p/day

 

Price capped variable rate:

Unit rate: 20.31p/kWh

Standing charge: 23.76p/day

 

Whilst I can see the variable rate is the cheapest option, the question is whether or not I would be better locking myself into the 3 year fixed rate now to protect myself from further increases? Should I slide on to the variable rate and hope the costs come down and not go up? Should I wait a couple more weeks and see if the cost of the fixed rate offer will drop even further (it has come down twice in 4 weeks), or is it likely to rise meaning I will miss out? PS: 2 year fixed rate offer is ridiculously high!

 

What is everyone's thoughts and views about this? What would you be tempted to do? Obviously I know any views are non-binding so please don't worry. Just looking for your input.

 

Thanks everyone and take care ☺️👍🏻

58 replies

Newcomer
July 12, 2022

Thanks very much for the information. Appreciate it.

Regards,

Will Marwick 

 

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
July 12, 2022

Based on 12000 units of gas and 2900 units of electricity ofgem typical user.

https://www.cornwall-insight.com/press/d...ent-looms/

So they are estimating £3,363 from January for typical usage on the price cap. Corwall Insight have been reliable in the past. Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert quotes them regularly. 

OVO one year current offer for my postcode for same ofgem typical usage would be  £3,366.84. So basically in line with the cornwall insight estimate. OVO quote  based on (inc vat). 

Gas standing charge 0.2752
Gas unit cost 0.1429

Electric standing charge 0.4444
Electric unit cost 0.4791

We use a bit less than the ofgem typical usage in our home. When comparing offers, it is always worth using usage figures as accurate as possible. Ofgem are currently planning on introducing quarterly changes to the price cap and have said they can't rule out other suppliers collapsing. 

Of course there is a lot of assumptions built into the Cornwall Insight estimate and the OVO and other suppliers fixed rates will provide a lot of piece of mind around costs. 

Big unknowns are what the next Prime Minister might do, what Ofgem might do and what might happen to wholesale costs. 


Newcomer
July 14, 2022

Hi

i am on simpler energy  priced capped at moment

dont know what to do   Never changed to a plan

need advice are these any good

i know it’s going up in October my usage is just below cap 

I have plans on my account 

One year fixed better energy 204 a month estimated 

one year fixed smart 235

2 year fixed 237 a month estimated 

I don’t know what to choose 

are these good deals 

what is the estimated for when they say fixed

Any help Appreciated

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
July 14, 2022

Hi @Newbe12

If you look at the quotes on the website after logging in you will see something like this.

If you click on tariff information label you will see something like this

This will show you 

1. The unit rate and standing charge for gas including VAT

2. The unit rate and standing charge for electricity including VAT.

3. How much gas and electricity OVO think you will use in the next year.

4. The estimated cost for gas and electric including VAT. 

So like you i use a bit less than what Ofgem the regulator says are typical usage of 12000 units of gas and 2900 units of electricity. 

I would always check the estimated usage looks reasonable compared to want you usually use in a year. 

Does that help for starters before i say anything else? 

Newcomer
July 14, 2022

Thanks for getting back to me

my plans don’t come up with tariff information 

it says renew now so if I press that I am automatically bound with out seeing the tarriff

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
July 14, 2022

Hi @Newbe12

 

OK do you see something like this?

 

Newcomer
July 14, 2022

Yes 

Newcomer
July 14, 2022

I think the quoted price on them is too low

Without giving too much detail have one extra person in house so will be using more energy so hard to choose what plan to go on

Jeffus
Rank 20
Rank 20
July 15, 2022

Yes 

OK

See the little down arrow head? Click on that.

You should see something like this after clicking depending on the device you are using. This is from an android phone. 

Does that work? 

Newcomer
July 15, 2022

Thankyou

so I am in simpler energy at moment

circumstances are are got somebody new in house energy usage will go up say just under price cap

I don’t have a smart meter

so plans on offer are 

2 years fixed loyalty £204+10 a month estimated 

elec 47.47                        Gas   14.48

standing 54.64.              Standing       27.52

1 year better energy  £204

elec 47.31                        Gas 14.44

standing53.64.              Standing 27.52

2year fixed £249

elec  59.93                      Gas  17.87

standing54.64               Standing27.52

sorry new to all this which one is the best

thankyou fir your help