When you have decided that you want to switch energy suppliers, your first step will usually be to log online and compare utility prices using a comparison calculator. These calculators are an indispensable tool in helping you find the cheapest energy supplier in your area, but if you use more than one then you will likely notice that different calculators give different estimates about how much money you could save with different providers. When so many of these comparison sites promise ease and transparency, it can be bewildering when none of them seem to be able to agree on how much your future energy bill will cost. The calculators aren’t broken; it is just that each of them uses different standards in how they calculate how much you will pay for your energy on a new tariff. To make sense of this confusion, we will look at some of the main reasons why comparison calculators differ from one another so you will have a better idea of just how much you will be paying when you switch energy providers.
Cost Figures vs. kWh
In order to find the most accurate estimate of your current energy usage, and therefore how much you could save on a new tariff, a site should ask for your energy usage in kWh. Some comparison calculators, however, base their usage figures on what you have actually paid and try to work out your kWh from your cost figure. While calculating based on cost figures is usually more or less accurate, it can sometimes lead to discrepancies in estimating your new energy rate. The best way to protect against these discrepancies is by using a comparison calculator that relies solely on kWh as it is displayed on your current energy bill.
Outdated Price Increases
A comparison calculator will determine how much money you could save in the future based on what rate your current energy supplier is charging. Some comparison websites, however, are slow to take recent price increases into account, and thus may show you saving much more than a different, more recently updated, comparison site would. Furthermore, some comparison sites use only the rates you have paid in the past with your energy supplier, rather than taking into account future rates that have already been announced.
Discounts
How comparison calculators choose to display any discounts an energy provider offers differs from site to site. Some comparison sites may choose to show them separately, while others will automatically discount them from your overall costs. How you want them displayed is a matter of personal preference, but you should inquire with each comparison site to see how they are displaying discounts.
VAT
VAT will add five per cent to your energy bill. Some comparison sites choose to include the VAT in their final estimate of what you will pay with a new energy supplier, while others choose to keep it separate. If your energy bill is particularly high, then five per cent can make a big difference, so it is important to find out whether the comparison calculator you are using is including the VAT or not.
Border Regions
As we all know, energy companies offer different rates for different regions. For most people, this fact presents no major problems when it comes to comparing different energy rates online. However, if you live on the border between two regions, you could be in for a few surprises. While one comparison site may include you in one region and thus give you one quote for a tariff, another comparison site may place you in a different region and thus give you a completely different quote for the exact same tariff. Most comparison sites have some sort of way of displaying how they calculate your region, but ultimately you will have to contact the energy provider you are interested in switching to in order to find out which quote is correct.
In order to switch energy suppliers, you will likely have to use a comparison calculator website at some point. These calculators are an excellent way to compare utility prices, but there are small details that can sometimes lead to big discrepancies between one calculator and the next. By knowing why these discrepancies occur you will better be able to figure which calculator better reflects the amount you will pay with a new energy supplier.
Sam Jones the author often recommends that one of the best places to compare utility prices ( http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/compare-electricity-prices/ ) is the uSwitch.com price comparison website
Cost Figures vs. kWh
In order to find the most accurate estimate of your current energy usage, and therefore how much you could save on a new tariff, a site should ask for your energy usage in kWh. Some comparison calculators, however, base their usage figures on what you have actually paid and try to work out your kWh from your cost figure. While calculating based on cost figures is usually more or less accurate, it can sometimes lead to discrepancies in estimating your new energy rate. The best way to protect against these discrepancies is by using a comparison calculator that relies solely on kWh as it is displayed on your current energy bill.
Outdated Price Increases
A comparison calculator will determine how much money you could save in the future based on what rate your current energy supplier is charging. Some comparison websites, however, are slow to take recent price increases into account, and thus may show you saving much more than a different, more recently updated, comparison site would. Furthermore, some comparison sites use only the rates you have paid in the past with your energy supplier, rather than taking into account future rates that have already been announced.
Discounts
How comparison calculators choose to display any discounts an energy provider offers differs from site to site. Some comparison sites may choose to show them separately, while others will automatically discount them from your overall costs. How you want them displayed is a matter of personal preference, but you should inquire with each comparison site to see how they are displaying discounts.
VAT
VAT will add five per cent to your energy bill. Some comparison sites choose to include the VAT in their final estimate of what you will pay with a new energy supplier, while others choose to keep it separate. If your energy bill is particularly high, then five per cent can make a big difference, so it is important to find out whether the comparison calculator you are using is including the VAT or not.
Border Regions
As we all know, energy companies offer different rates for different regions. For most people, this fact presents no major problems when it comes to comparing different energy rates online. However, if you live on the border between two regions, you could be in for a few surprises. While one comparison site may include you in one region and thus give you one quote for a tariff, another comparison site may place you in a different region and thus give you a completely different quote for the exact same tariff. Most comparison sites have some sort of way of displaying how they calculate your region, but ultimately you will have to contact the energy provider you are interested in switching to in order to find out which quote is correct.
In order to switch energy suppliers, you will likely have to use a comparison calculator website at some point. These calculators are an excellent way to compare utility prices, but there are small details that can sometimes lead to big discrepancies between one calculator and the next. By knowing why these discrepancies occur you will better be able to figure which calculator better reflects the amount you will pay with a new energy supplier.
Sam Jones the author often recommends that one of the best places to compare utility prices ( http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/compare-electricity-prices/ ) is the uSwitch.com price comparison website
Good Blog, comparison sites are best to get the best solution to know the electricity price. Get lowest Electricity Price at UK's cheapest energy supplier at Symbio energy. Get in touch with us for more information.
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