Early this year, British Gas cut its gas prices by 7% , which made its WebSaver 6 online tariff and standard tariffs the cheapest gas and electricity plans of their kind. Understandably, British Gas publicized this, with adverts on TV, online and in print bearing the slogan ‘the cheapest supplier of standard gas and electricity’.
However, just a few weeks later, the crown of cheapest supplier was snatched by First:Utility, a relatively small energy company whose online and standard tariffs are now £10 and £8 cheaper respectively than those from British Gas.
Less than a week after that, Scottish and Southern Energy cut its gas prices by 4% for dual fuel customers, 7% for single fuel customers and 9% for those on pre-payment tariffs, with effect from March 29th 2010.
But just how important is it to be with the energy company that holds the title of the cheapest gas and electricity supplier? The answer is ‘not very’. The claim to have the lowest prices is based on an average user and the problem with that is that not everyone is average.
If you go on energy comparison sites today, you may well find that neither British Gas, First:Utility or Scottish and Southern Energy is the cheapest for you – and this isn’t because we’ve got our numbers wrong.
The cheapest gas and electricity supplier for you depends on several different factors – most significantly where you live and how much energy you use. Some gas and electricity plans may not be available in your area, or the rates may be different because of where you live. Usage also has an impact, for example plans that have a standing charge and a lower cost per unit of gas and electricity might work out to be cheap for someone who uses a lot of electricity, but very expensive for someone who uses very little.
The only way to be sure you’re getting the best deal is to do a full comparison of the whole energy market. When you compare gas and electricity, we give you a personalized quote, based on where you live and how much energy you use, so you’ll be know which plan is cheapest for you personally.
You need to move away from “impossible” (it’s “unlikely” but technically not “impossible”) to, as the previous poster suggests, finding an explanation starting with an analysis of the bill.
Specifically do you know where your meter is? Can you identify which is your meter? If so can you identify the serial number and is it the same serial number as is stated on the bill?
Next, you don’t just have a “bill for £640″. You have a bill which “allegedly” is based on a actual reading but will give a breakdown between night and day use. That will help you consider what Atlantic claim is heavy use. Back to the meter location question, if inside do you recall a meter reader calling? This is your first bill so the first, or “opening” reading is vital. Does the bill state the opening reading is an “actual” or “customer” reading? Does the date of the opening reading agree with your date of entry? In fact does the bill state the most recent reading is “actual” or “customer” as advised by Atlantic? How does the meter reading(s) today compare with the recent alleged “actual” reading(s) on the bill. That provides a good clue to your daily consumption. Are you confident you can distinguish between the night and day readings?
I assume you have at least one storage heater. How hot does it get and stay? How hot does your water get? Do you also use panel or other forms of room heating?
There is still lots which can be done but you need to change your mindset from “impossible”. The more information you post from your bill the more help it is possible to give