From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

I'm currently on standard variable with EDF. Over the last 12 months
the bill has totalled
-u2055.93. (inc 5% VAT)
Elec 27.89p per kWh S/C 58.32p per day
Gas 7.92p per kWh S/C 36.68p per day

EDF are suggesting changing to a fixed tariff. They are offering:

Simply Tracker Sep27v3 (Expires 1/10/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,373.52 Elec 27.95p per kWh S/C 49.56p per day
Gas 8.61p per kWh S/C 30.63p per day

Simply Fixed 2Yr Oct28v2 (Expires 1/11/28) - Estimated annual bill -u2,422.19 Elec 27.93p per kWh S/C 56.41 per day
Gas 8.60p per kWh S/C 7.48p per day

Simply Fixed Oct27 (Expires 1/11/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,602.26
Elec 29.71p per kWh S/C 47.81p per day
Gas 9.92p per kWh S/C 29.16p per day

(The estimated annual bills for the fixed tariffs include elec at 0% VAT
and gas at 5% VAT. EDF base my annual usage figures as follows:
Elec - 3,091 kWh Gas - 14,139 kWh)

The price cap will increase 4% tomorrow, and now they expect another 20%
in January. Adding another 25% to my current bill brings it close to the estimated bills of the fixed tariffs, so is it worth bothering? No doubt
there are other suppliers with cheaper tariffs based on having a smart
meter, and paying by DD, but I'm sure that EDF have those too.

Can anyone explain why the standing charge changes across tariffs?
Aren't those costs behind those charges more-or-less fixed?
--
Jeff

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/09/2026 15:08, Jeff Layman wrote:

I'm currently on standard variable with EDF.-a Over the last 12 months
the bill has totalled
-u2055.93. (inc 5% VAT)
Elec 27.89p per kWh S/C 58.32p per day
Gas 7.92p per kWh S/C 36.68p per day

EDF are suggesting changing to a fixed tariff. They are offering:

Simply Tracker Sep27v3 (Expires 1/10/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,373.52 Elec 27.95p per kWh S/C 49.56p per day
Gas 8.61p per kWh S/C 30.63p per day

Simply Fixed 2Yr Oct28v2 (Expires 1/11/28) - Estimated annual bill -u2,422.19
Elec 27.93p per kWh S/C 56.41 per day
Gas 8.60p per kWh S/C 7.48p per day

Simply Fixed Oct27 (Expires 1/11/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,602.26
Elec 29.71p per kWh S/C 47.81p per day
Gas 9.92p per kWh S/C 29.16p per day

(The estimated annual bills for the fixed tariffs include elec at 0% VAT
and gas at 5% VAT. EDF base my annual usage figures as follows:
Elec - 3,091 kWh Gas - 14,139 kWh)

The price cap will increase 4% tomorrow, and now they expect another 20%
in January. Adding another 25% to my current bill brings it close to the estimated bills of the fixed tariffs, so is it worth bothering? No doubt there are other suppliers with cheaper tariffs based on having a smart meter, and paying by DD, but I'm sure that EDF have those too.

Can anyone explain why the standing charge changes across tariffs?
Aren't those costs behind those charges more-or-less fixed?

I switched to a 18-month fix for Gas from Octopus at a unit rate of
8.08p yesterday. Very little more than their capped price as of tomorrow.

Worth the 5 minutes to do so. Is your life so profitable that you can't
spare five minutes - or are you a winging nihilist?

As for this contract's Standing Charge, there is about 1p difference in
favour of the Fixed rate contract - which I don't intend to contest.
{As I light yet another thick cigar with a -u50 note.}
--
PA
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> wrote:

I'm currently on standard variable with EDF. Over the last 12 months
the bill has totalled
-u2055.93. (inc 5% VAT)
Elec 27.89p per kWh S/C 58.32p per day
Gas 7.92p per kWh S/C 36.68p per day

EDF are suggesting changing to a fixed tariff. They are offering:

Simply Tracker Sep27v3 (Expires 1/10/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,373.52 Elec 27.95p per kWh S/C 49.56p per day
Gas 8.61p per kWh S/C 30.63p per day

Simply Fixed 2Yr Oct28v2 (Expires 1/11/28) - Estimated annual bill -u2,422.19 Elec 27.93p per kWh S/C 56.41 per day
Gas 8.60p per kWh S/C 7.48p per day

Simply Fixed Oct27 (Expires 1/11/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,602.26
Elec 29.71p per kWh S/C 47.81p per day
Gas 9.92p per kWh S/C 29.16p per day

Ouch. I recently looked at the prices at Outfox and the gas price started
with a 6... although maybe the futures market has moved on. Did you try a comparison site?

Can anyone explain why the standing charge changes across tariffs?
Aren't those costs behind those charges more-or-less fixed?

They're just a pricing knob. All the tariffs have is a straight line
y = mx + c

where y is the bill, x is the number of units, m is the price per unit and c
is the standing charge. They offer various tariffs with different m and c
to target different markets - heavy users, light users. The standing charge
is just the fixed part of this formula. You can be sure they get the money either way, whether some of it is part of the unit cost or not. They know
the spread of customers' consumption and so they set the tariffs so the
house wins either way.

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/09/2026 19:30, Theo wrote:

Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> wrote:

I'm currently on standard variable with EDF. Over the last 12 months
the bill has totalled
-u2055.93. (inc 5% VAT)
Elec 27.89p per kWh S/C 58.32p per day
Gas 7.92p per kWh S/C 36.68p per day

EDF are suggesting changing to a fixed tariff. They are offering:

Simply Tracker Sep27v3 (Expires 1/10/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,373.52 >> Elec 27.95p per kWh S/C 49.56p per day
Gas 8.61p per kWh S/C 30.63p per day

Simply Fixed 2Yr Oct28v2 (Expires 1/11/28) - Estimated annual bill -u2,422.19
Elec 27.93p per kWh S/C 56.41 per day
Gas 8.60p per kWh S/C 7.48p per day

Simply Fixed Oct27 (Expires 1/11/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,602.26
Elec 29.71p per kWh S/C 47.81p per day
Gas 9.92p per kWh S/C 29.16p per day

Ouch. I recently looked at the prices at Outfox and the gas price started with a 6... although maybe the futures market has moved on. Did you try a comparison site?

Can anyone explain why the standing charge changes across tariffs?
Aren't those costs behind those charges more-or-less fixed?

They're just a pricing knob. All the tariffs have is a straight line
y = mx + c

where y is the bill, x is the number of units, m is the price per unit and c is the standing charge. They offer various tariffs with different m and c
to target different markets - heavy users, light users. The standing charge is just the fixed part of this formula. You can be sure they get the money either way, whether some of it is part of the unit cost or not. They know the spread of customers' consumption and so they set the tariffs so the
house wins either way.

Well, I'm pleased that you and I are in agreement. I just didn't know
exactly hoe they calculated things.

I'm not so much of a "winging nihilist" (see reply to my OP) as a
"whinging cynic". I believe that /nothing/ the energy companies do is
ever for our benefit, but always works to their advantage. Heads they
win, tails you lose...

I did sign up to a fixed rate, so the war in the Middle East will soon
be over and the prices will drop. Just my good turn of the day. ;-)
--
Jeff
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/09/2026 21:57, Jeff Layman wrote:

On 30/09/2026 19:30, Theo wrote:

Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> wrote:

I'm currently on standard variable with EDF.-a Over the last 12 months
the bill has totalled
-u2055.93. (inc 5% VAT)
Elec 27.89p per kWh S/C 58.32p per day
Gas 7.92p per kWh S/C 36.68p per day

EDF are suggesting changing to a fixed tariff. They are offering:

Simply Tracker Sep27v3 (Expires 1/10/27) - Estimated annual bill
-u2,373.52
Elec 27.95p per kWh S/C 49.56p per day
Gas 8.61p per kWh S/C 30.63p per day

Simply Fixed 2Yr Oct28v2 (Expires 1/11/28) - Estimated annual bill
-u2,422.19
Elec 27.93p per kWh S/C 56.41 per day
Gas 8.60p per kWh S/C 7.48p per day

Simply Fixed Oct27 (Expires 1/11/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,602.26
Elec 29.71p per kWh S/C 47.81p per day
Gas 9.92p per kWh S/C 29.16p per day

Ouch. I recently looked at the prices at Outfox and the gas price started
with a 6... although maybe the futures market has moved on. Did you try a
comparison site?

Can anyone explain why the standing charge changes across tariffs?
Aren't those costs behind those charges more-or-less fixed?

They're just a pricing knob. All the tariffs have is a straight line
y = mx + c

where y is the bill, x is the number of units, m is the price per unit
and c
is the standing charge.-a They offer various tariffs with different m
and c
to target different markets - heavy users, light users.-a The standing
charge
is just the fixed part of this formula.-a You can be sure they get the
money
either way, whether some of it is part of the unit cost or not.-a They
know
the spread of customers' consumption and so they set the tariffs so the
house wins either way.

Well, I'm pleased that you and I are in agreement. I just didn't know exactly hoe they calculated things.

I'm not so much of a "winging nihilist" (see reply to my OP) as a
"whinging cynic". I believe that /nothing/ the energy companies do is
ever for our benefit, but always works to their advantage. Heads they
win, tails you lose...

And The Pope is a Roman Catholic ...

I did sign up to a fixed rate, so the war in the Middle East will soon
be over and the prices will drop. Just my good turn of the day. ;-)

"so is it worth bothering?"

It always strikes me whenever I find anyone posting on social media that they've no time to do this or that.

The Paradox is Perfect. ;}

As for your "The war will be over by Xmas"-alike prediction, it didn't
work out in 1914 ...
--
PA
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/09/2026 21:57, Jeff Layman wrote:

I did sign up to a fixed rate, so the war in the Middle East will soon
be over and the prices will drop. Just my good turn of the day. ;-)

In my mail in-box I'm being offered fixed price deals from the big
companies that "must end" in a couple of days. The selling point is the current rise in price and a suggestion that they rise again at the same
rate for a long time. These deals are for 2 years and with -u125 exit
fees. The cynic inside me suggests it's to lock people into a high fixed
price for the next 24 months but the companies know that prices will
likely to fall within the period of the contract.
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 01/10/2026 08:34, alan_m wrote:

On 30/09/2026 21:57, Jeff Layman wrote:

I did sign up to a fixed rate, so the war in the Middle East will soon
be over and the prices will drop. Just my good turn of the day. ;-)

In my mail in-box I'm being offered fixed price deals from the big
companies that "must end" in a couple of days. The selling point is the current rise in price and a suggestion that they rise again at the same
rate for a long time. These deals are for 2 years and with -u125 exit
fees. The cynic inside me suggests it's to lock people into a high fixed price for the next 24 months but the companies know that prices will
likely to fall within the period of the contract.

As Theo noted, the companies never lose. It's why I signed up for only a
year. The exit fee is -u50. I don't expect to gain or lose anything significantly different from what I'd pay as "standard variable".

The only slight benefit is that now EDF will stop pestering me to change tariff - at least until the one I'm on is about to expire. I guess that
if I'd signed up with one of the utility cost-comparison sites, I'd get umpteen emails offering me the best rate too. I already have that with confused.com for insurance.
--
Jeff
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> wrote:

As Theo noted, the companies never lose. It's why I signed up for only a year. The exit fee is -u50. I don't expect to gain or lose anything significantly different from what I'd pay as "standard variable".

Some of this is a futures contract - they know they can pre-order X units at
M price, for delivery over 12/24/etc months. The exit fee covers breaking
the contract. Next week there will be a different futures price and so they issue a new tariff.

Even a variable tariff is a hedge against market pricing - wholesale prices
are set in 30 min chunks, but variable tariffs update quarterly.

Lots of financial engineering.

The only slight benefit is that now EDF will stop pestering me to change tariff - at least until the one I'm on is about to expire. I guess that
if I'd signed up with one of the utility cost-comparison sites, I'd get umpteen emails offering me the best rate too. I already have that with confused.com for insurance.

Just give a fake email. When switching, go to the energy company direct and see if you can find tbe same tariff. Most of the cheap tariffs don't pay a kickback to switching sites - they still show them, but you have to go
direct to order anyway.

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 01/10/2026 09:36, Theo wrote:
confused.com for insurance.

Just give a fake email. When switching, go to the energy company direct and see if you can find tbe same tariff. Most of the cheap tariffs don't pay a kickback to switching sites - they still show them, but you have to go
direct to order anyway.

Is that the same with utility providers as with insurance companies? Confused.com give several different company quotes based on the info you provide. The company I was already with had access to the confused.com
page, so when I phoned them up and said I could see cheaper renewal
quotes on confused.com, they immediately accessed the page and said they
would lower the renewal premium. That wouldn't work with a fake email
address as I wouldn't have got the confused.com quotes as a single
entity, and the present insurers wouldn't have a page to access - I'd
just be getting individual quotes from each company (and I'd still have
to provide them with an email address. I guess I could use a throwaway address, but I think companies are getting wise to some of those and
won't accept them).
--
Jeff
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 30/09/2026 15:08, Jeff Layman wrote:

Simply Tracker Sep27v3 (Expires 1/10/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,373.52 Elec 27.95p per kWh S/C 49.56p per day
Gas 8.61p per kWh S/C 30.63p per day

Simply Fixed 2Yr Oct28v2 (Expires 1/11/28) - Estimated annual bill -u2,422.19
Elec 27.93p per kWh S/C 56.41 per day
Gas 8.60p per kWh S/C 7.48p per day

Simply Fixed Oct27 (Expires 1/11/27) - Estimated annual bill -u2,602.26
Elec 29.71p per kWh S/C 47.81p per day
Gas 9.92p per kWh S/C 29.16p per day

I have this constant argument with RenewableDroidsrao who tell me that 'electricity is expensive because gas prices'

Gas power plants are around 50-60% efficient and they buy gas wholesale,
so how come electricity is *three times* the price of gas?

It couldn't be because RenewableDroidsrao are lying, could it?
--
Climate Change: Socialism wearing a lab coat.

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