Sep
9
Paul Turner asked:
The great energy price comparison race has started. As I write this it is January and along with millions of people all over the world I’m feeling the squeeze after paying my credit card bills.
For this reason, coupled with new year resolutions people turn their attention to saving some money where they can. Let’s face it, we all have to pay for our energy so it makes sense to pay for the least possible whilst maintaining quality of service.
To help you and I do this there are websites out there like money supermarket that will carry out an energy price comparison for you. You simply enter a few details and it goes and checks it’s database of current gas and electricity prices.
No I’m not saying there is anything wrong with this – they offer a useful service, but I would suggest this is the start of the journey – a step in the right direction but not the whole picture.
To make myself clear, my best price is actually with a company that didn’t even show on the comparison site I used. Another site did use them, but didn’t actually show the deal I am on with my current supplier, which is the Utility Warehouse.
I don’t understand why, but the energy comparison sites don’t seem to update quickly enough, or can’t work with multi service suppliers. I’m talking about companies that offer several utilities on one bill to save cost for example.
So what do I suggest? Well I suggest asking around your friends and family to see who they are on, probably one of the big 6 to be honest. Then use a gas and electricity price comparison site to see if that matches, and then compare some of the other multi service companies.
To get the absolute best price you may need to take another utility like the phone with them, but as calls are usually cheaper to make them more attractive anyway I guess that shouldn’t be an issue.
Often these suppliers are not as well known, so just make sure they have been around for a while. At the end of the day there is no actual difference to your gas or electricity supply. Think about it – when you last changed or moved in to a new house, nobody dug up the cables and pipes did they! Your gas and electricity will be exactly the same.
The same is true of there is a problem with your supply, The same contractors are used by most if not all of the suppliers out there. This means there is no difference in this crucial level of service.
I remember a survey from a couple of years ago that said consumer apathy was the main reason why people over paid for their utility bills. As prices rise I urge you not to be the one with apathy. Energy price comparison sites have made it very easy to search around now so you’ll have no excuse.
Jerome
The great energy price comparison race has started. As I write this it is January and along with millions of people all over the world I’m feeling the squeeze after paying my credit card bills.
For this reason, coupled with new year resolutions people turn their attention to saving some money where they can. Let’s face it, we all have to pay for our energy so it makes sense to pay for the least possible whilst maintaining quality of service.
To help you and I do this there are websites out there like money supermarket that will carry out an energy price comparison for you. You simply enter a few details and it goes and checks it’s database of current gas and electricity prices.
No I’m not saying there is anything wrong with this – they offer a useful service, but I would suggest this is the start of the journey – a step in the right direction but not the whole picture.
To make myself clear, my best price is actually with a company that didn’t even show on the comparison site I used. Another site did use them, but didn’t actually show the deal I am on with my current supplier, which is the Utility Warehouse.
I don’t understand why, but the energy comparison sites don’t seem to update quickly enough, or can’t work with multi service suppliers. I’m talking about companies that offer several utilities on one bill to save cost for example.
So what do I suggest? Well I suggest asking around your friends and family to see who they are on, probably one of the big 6 to be honest. Then use a gas and electricity price comparison site to see if that matches, and then compare some of the other multi service companies.
To get the absolute best price you may need to take another utility like the phone with them, but as calls are usually cheaper to make them more attractive anyway I guess that shouldn’t be an issue.
Often these suppliers are not as well known, so just make sure they have been around for a while. At the end of the day there is no actual difference to your gas or electricity supply. Think about it – when you last changed or moved in to a new house, nobody dug up the cables and pipes did they! Your gas and electricity will be exactly the same.
The same is true of there is a problem with your supply, The same contractors are used by most if not all of the suppliers out there. This means there is no difference in this crucial level of service.
I remember a survey from a couple of years ago that said consumer apathy was the main reason why people over paid for their utility bills. As prices rise I urge you not to be the one with apathy. Energy price comparison sites have made it very easy to search around now so you’ll have no excuse.
Jerome
Aug
25
Jonathan Elliott asked:
Comparing business electricity and business gas prices doesn’t have to be complicated, particularly if you use an independent expert to guide you through the process. However there is a tendency for some commercial energy suppliers to use jargon and acronyms which mean nothing to the average businessperson simply looking to compare business electricity prices. Here’s our guide to the abbreviations you might come across when looking to switch commercial electricity:
ARD – Agreed Read Dispute. Industry-wide process to resolve problems arising when closing and opening meter readings do not correspond during a business electricity switch or change of tenancy.
AMR – Automated Meter Reading. Available from Smart Meters, these readings provide instant and accurate data about commercial electricity consumption.
AQ or AAQ – Annual Quantity or Annual Agreed Quantity. An estimate of future consumption of commercial gas, as calculated by the distribution network, Transco.
ASC – Authorised Supply Capacity. This only applies to Maximum Demand customers and is the commercial electricity ‘load’ allowed to be taken to run industrial equipment.
CCL – Climate Change Levy. A charge introduced by the Government in 2001 on commercial electricity and gas, intended to encourage less consumption and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
CO2 – Carbon Dioxide. A greenhouse gas, measured in tonnes, that makes up the Carbon Footprint belonging to each commercial electricity user.
CRC – Carbon Reduction Commitment. A scheme designed to improve energy efficiency in large organisations and mandatory for the 5,000 biggest commercial electricity users in the UK.
CV – Calorific Value. A measurement of the energy contained in gas and usually quoted in megajoules per cubic metre (MJ/m3).
DECC – Department of Energy and Climate Change. Created by the Government in 2008 to ‘ensure our energy is secure, affordable and efficient’.
EAC – Estimated Annual Consumption. Similar to AQ but for profiling the consumption of commercial electricity, based on historic billing information. Sometimes known as Calculated Annual Consumption or CAC.
ECOES – Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service. A service provided by the electricity suppliers and distribution companies which notifies the relevant organisations when someone is switching commercial electricity supplier.
EU ETS – European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. A scheme to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to meet targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol.
HH – Half-Hourly. The name for meters with the profile number ’00′ that are used by energy-intensive businesses whose average peak electricity demand was greater than 100kW in any three months of the previous year.
KVA – Kilovoltampere. A unit of power required to run industrial machinery.
KWH – Kilowatthour. The standard unit to which business electricity prices relate.
LEC – Levy Exemption Certificate. Issued by Ofgem to exempt the holder from paying Climate Change Levy in addition to business electricity prices.
LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas. Gas cooled so that it condenses into a liquid and can be more easily transported / stored.
MD – Maximum Demand. The highest expected load drawn from the network by an intensive commercial electricity user. Maximum Demand meter profile numbers begin with ’05, 06 07, 08′ and usually have their own types of tariff.
MPAN – Meter Point Administration Number. Also known as a ‘supply number’ or an ‘S number’, this is the unique identifying number that can be found on a business electricity price bill. The first two digits give your meter profile (03 or 04 for small businesses, 05 to 08 for maximum demand and 00 for half-hourly.
MPR – Meter Point Reference. Similar to above but for gas – ie it is the unique identifying number of a commercial gas supply. It is 10 digits and can be found on a bill.
MSN – Meter Serial Number. A unique number used to identify a meter which will be displayed on the front of most meters.
MTC – Meter Time Switch Code. Provides information about your business electricity meter (like the number of dials it has) and which tariffs it supports. EG It may support two rate tariffs for day-and-night consumption.
OFGEM – Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. The organisation set up to regulate and promote competition within the deregulated energy industry.
PP10 – HM Revenue & Customs form to claim exemption or discount from the Climate Change Levy (CCL).
ROC – Renewable obligation certificate. Holds details of exactly how a unit of renewable electricity was produced, who produced it and who bought the electricity.
YABA – Yet Another Bloody Acronym!
Kathryn
Comparing business electricity and business gas prices doesn’t have to be complicated, particularly if you use an independent expert to guide you through the process. However there is a tendency for some commercial energy suppliers to use jargon and acronyms which mean nothing to the average businessperson simply looking to compare business electricity prices. Here’s our guide to the abbreviations you might come across when looking to switch commercial electricity:
ARD – Agreed Read Dispute. Industry-wide process to resolve problems arising when closing and opening meter readings do not correspond during a business electricity switch or change of tenancy.
AMR – Automated Meter Reading. Available from Smart Meters, these readings provide instant and accurate data about commercial electricity consumption.
AQ or AAQ – Annual Quantity or Annual Agreed Quantity. An estimate of future consumption of commercial gas, as calculated by the distribution network, Transco.
ASC – Authorised Supply Capacity. This only applies to Maximum Demand customers and is the commercial electricity ‘load’ allowed to be taken to run industrial equipment.
CCL – Climate Change Levy. A charge introduced by the Government in 2001 on commercial electricity and gas, intended to encourage less consumption and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
CO2 – Carbon Dioxide. A greenhouse gas, measured in tonnes, that makes up the Carbon Footprint belonging to each commercial electricity user.
CRC – Carbon Reduction Commitment. A scheme designed to improve energy efficiency in large organisations and mandatory for the 5,000 biggest commercial electricity users in the UK.
CV – Calorific Value. A measurement of the energy contained in gas and usually quoted in megajoules per cubic metre (MJ/m3).
DECC – Department of Energy and Climate Change. Created by the Government in 2008 to ‘ensure our energy is secure, affordable and efficient’.
EAC – Estimated Annual Consumption. Similar to AQ but for profiling the consumption of commercial electricity, based on historic billing information. Sometimes known as Calculated Annual Consumption or CAC.
ECOES – Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service. A service provided by the electricity suppliers and distribution companies which notifies the relevant organisations when someone is switching commercial electricity supplier.
EU ETS – European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. A scheme to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to meet targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol.
HH – Half-Hourly. The name for meters with the profile number ’00′ that are used by energy-intensive businesses whose average peak electricity demand was greater than 100kW in any three months of the previous year.
KVA – Kilovoltampere. A unit of power required to run industrial machinery.
KWH – Kilowatthour. The standard unit to which business electricity prices relate.
LEC – Levy Exemption Certificate. Issued by Ofgem to exempt the holder from paying Climate Change Levy in addition to business electricity prices.
LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas. Gas cooled so that it condenses into a liquid and can be more easily transported / stored.
MD – Maximum Demand. The highest expected load drawn from the network by an intensive commercial electricity user. Maximum Demand meter profile numbers begin with ’05, 06 07, 08′ and usually have their own types of tariff.
MPAN – Meter Point Administration Number. Also known as a ‘supply number’ or an ‘S number’, this is the unique identifying number that can be found on a business electricity price bill. The first two digits give your meter profile (03 or 04 for small businesses, 05 to 08 for maximum demand and 00 for half-hourly.
MPR – Meter Point Reference. Similar to above but for gas – ie it is the unique identifying number of a commercial gas supply. It is 10 digits and can be found on a bill.
MSN – Meter Serial Number. A unique number used to identify a meter which will be displayed on the front of most meters.
MTC – Meter Time Switch Code. Provides information about your business electricity meter (like the number of dials it has) and which tariffs it supports. EG It may support two rate tariffs for day-and-night consumption.
OFGEM – Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. The organisation set up to regulate and promote competition within the deregulated energy industry.
PP10 – HM Revenue & Customs form to claim exemption or discount from the Climate Change Levy (CCL).
ROC – Renewable obligation certificate. Holds details of exactly how a unit of renewable electricity was produced, who produced it and who bought the electricity.
YABA – Yet Another Bloody Acronym!
Kathryn
Aug
16
Kat Brunton asked:
Switching your gas and electricity supplier can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.
Before 1999, all UK energy users had their gas and electricity provided by their local supplier. In a bid intended to introduce more competition into the industry and drive prices down, the Government allowed electricity and gas users in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors to change suppliers if they so wished from May 1999.
As a result of this, in order to attract customers from other areas, all suppliers introduced regional pricing policies, many of which offer cheaper rates to users who live outside the region the supplier traditionally served. By changing suppliers to take advantage of the more favourable rates offered elsewhere, you can make significant savings on your energy costs.
But how do you find out where the best deals are to be had? Previously, the only way was to methodically contact each company and obtain a quote from each one. Nowadays, however, the process is much simpler, as you can use gas and electric price comparison websites to quickly and easily find the supplier that will give you the lowest rates.
There are a few points to bear in mind when you use a price comparison website:
o Make sure you take actual readings from your meter rather than relying on your bill. Bills are often estimated, so taking readings yourself will ensure that you get accurate figures to work with and can properly calculate how much you could save.
o You will also need to know the current tariff that you are on. You can usually find this information on your most recent bill, but if you can’t find it, a quick call to your supplier will give you the details you need.
o Gas and electricity prices do change periodically. Generally, after one company has changed their prices, the others will quickly follow suit. Make sure it has been a while since the last price change and that rates have settled.
Gas and electricity price comparison sites let you quickly and easily identify the savings you could make by switching suppliers. You are not making any kind of commitment when you use the site, and you are under no obligation to switch if you don’t want to.
So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cut your household expenditures, switching your electricity and gas supplier could be the ideal solution.
Catherine
Switching your gas and electricity supplier can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.
Before 1999, all UK energy users had their gas and electricity provided by their local supplier. In a bid intended to introduce more competition into the industry and drive prices down, the Government allowed electricity and gas users in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors to change suppliers if they so wished from May 1999.
As a result of this, in order to attract customers from other areas, all suppliers introduced regional pricing policies, many of which offer cheaper rates to users who live outside the region the supplier traditionally served. By changing suppliers to take advantage of the more favourable rates offered elsewhere, you can make significant savings on your energy costs.
But how do you find out where the best deals are to be had? Previously, the only way was to methodically contact each company and obtain a quote from each one. Nowadays, however, the process is much simpler, as you can use gas and electric price comparison websites to quickly and easily find the supplier that will give you the lowest rates.
There are a few points to bear in mind when you use a price comparison website:
o Make sure you take actual readings from your meter rather than relying on your bill. Bills are often estimated, so taking readings yourself will ensure that you get accurate figures to work with and can properly calculate how much you could save.
o You will also need to know the current tariff that you are on. You can usually find this information on your most recent bill, but if you can’t find it, a quick call to your supplier will give you the details you need.
o Gas and electricity prices do change periodically. Generally, after one company has changed their prices, the others will quickly follow suit. Make sure it has been a while since the last price change and that rates have settled.
Gas and electricity price comparison sites let you quickly and easily identify the savings you could make by switching suppliers. You are not making any kind of commitment when you use the site, and you are under no obligation to switch if you don’t want to.
So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cut your household expenditures, switching your electricity and gas supplier could be the ideal solution.
Catherine
Aug
14
Paul S Harris asked:
If there is one industry that has had more articles written about it on forums and discussion boards and does not require another word said about it, it is the Price Comparison Shopping industry. Millions of words have been spent analysing, dissecting and often desecrating all of the major players in the field and, boy, are there plenty of players. In the US there seems to be some autonomy emerging with the Shopping.com and ShopZilla behemoths still number one for sheer merchant count, visitor reach and backing. With squillions of lesser sites popping up everyday vying for a slice of this lucrative “dollar-cake” (some even powered by the main players), trying to breathe new life into the price comparison concept has proven a struggle. In the UK a similar pattern is emerging, in respect to the millions of comparison sites emerging only. The big difference though, in my opinion, is that the ‘King of comparison shopping’ in the UK has yet to be crowned.
What would one look for in a good ‘price comparison’ King, if we were to crown one today?
Honesty – In other another words ‘transparency’. In this day and age of Urchin/Google Analytics even bedroom-ran businesses can see where their traffic is coming from and how many of their clicks are genuine and fair. Many merchants I know do still feel aggrieved with a lot of the comparison sites for still having outdated validation logic to calculate genuine clicks. PriceGrabber are probably the most honest out of them all and have a list as long as your arm (they invalidate clicks made by their own staff… gee, thanks) but I am sure they can do better. They invalidate duplicate clicks made within 30 seconds of each other on the same product, but I feel that is quite tight. Surely if someone finds your product on PG in the morning and then retraces their steps through PG in the evening, they should not have to pay for the same lead. Also if a browser with an IP based in Nigeria (no offense to my Nigerian brothers in need of a new top-of-the-range laptop) clicks on your store, you should not have to pay for the lead? The only company who delivers honesty in this area is CheckCost whose foreign policy is very xenophobic and excludes all clicks from IP’s based outside of the United Kingdom. They also give stores 24 hours breathing space between clicks made by the same browser on the same product.
Fair Rule – There is no doubt that when it comes to money and riches, most contenders for the crown are not bereft of short-change. Take Shopping.com, for example. Bought by eBay for a
If there is one industry that has had more articles written about it on forums and discussion boards and does not require another word said about it, it is the Price Comparison Shopping industry. Millions of words have been spent analysing, dissecting and often desecrating all of the major players in the field and, boy, are there plenty of players. In the US there seems to be some autonomy emerging with the Shopping.com and ShopZilla behemoths still number one for sheer merchant count, visitor reach and backing. With squillions of lesser sites popping up everyday vying for a slice of this lucrative “dollar-cake” (some even powered by the main players), trying to breathe new life into the price comparison concept has proven a struggle. In the UK a similar pattern is emerging, in respect to the millions of comparison sites emerging only. The big difference though, in my opinion, is that the ‘King of comparison shopping’ in the UK has yet to be crowned.
What would one look for in a good ‘price comparison’ King, if we were to crown one today?
Honesty – In other another words ‘transparency’. In this day and age of Urchin/Google Analytics even bedroom-ran businesses can see where their traffic is coming from and how many of their clicks are genuine and fair. Many merchants I know do still feel aggrieved with a lot of the comparison sites for still having outdated validation logic to calculate genuine clicks. PriceGrabber are probably the most honest out of them all and have a list as long as your arm (they invalidate clicks made by their own staff… gee, thanks) but I am sure they can do better. They invalidate duplicate clicks made within 30 seconds of each other on the same product, but I feel that is quite tight. Surely if someone finds your product on PG in the morning and then retraces their steps through PG in the evening, they should not have to pay for the same lead. Also if a browser with an IP based in Nigeria (no offense to my Nigerian brothers in need of a new top-of-the-range laptop) clicks on your store, you should not have to pay for the lead? The only company who delivers honesty in this area is CheckCost whose foreign policy is very xenophobic and excludes all clicks from IP’s based outside of the United Kingdom. They also give stores 24 hours breathing space between clicks made by the same browser on the same product.
Fair Rule – There is no doubt that when it comes to money and riches, most contenders for the crown are not bereft of short-change. Take Shopping.com, for example. Bought by eBay for a