I checked yesterday if I could get a better deal for gas/electricity inputting my actual consumption for the previous 12 months as the reference.
Uswitch said a saving of £130 but on checking the tariffs for the potential new supplier they were comparable with what I'm currently paying. So how did Uswitch work out the savings? i) They assumed that my current contract runs for another 9 months and I wouldn't change for that time (although I can change at any time) ii) They then assumed that I would go to my current suppliers more expensive 'standard rate' for another 3 months. iii) They added the two figures together to get the spend for the next
12 months and then compared it with a 12 month contract starting now with another supplier. If I change immediately to the new supplier the saving are minimal, around a single figure GBP per annum.
Moneysupermarket.com said a saving of £53. The saving seems to be based on a discount payable if I stay with them for 12 months. The standing charges and gas and electricity rates without this discount are much higher than I'm currently paying. If changing before then there is first a penalty of £60 (dual fuel) and then the probable loss of the £180 discount - a penalty equivalent to £120 per fuel!