Tomato Energy

[JonnyG]

Having read the article below I have just signed up with Tomato Energy myself !

I''ll be switching from Octopus Go (can't have IOG unless I get a new wall chargepoint) and by my calcs (fairly accurate from 9 months use) should save over £250 per year at current rates.

Still awaiting any confirmation email but I presume it will be as advertised and fixed for 12 months which should result in even higher savings if the article below is anything like accurate.

I went for the standard "Tomato Lifestyle Fixed TP October 2024-V1-Tariff-ED1E" which was on offer at the time of posting this.

Source :-

April energy cap to be higher than predicted - here are cheaper deals

Households will have to shell out even more than anticipated on their energy bills from April when Ofgem's price cap changes, according to new predictions.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

Quote : from above source :-

"EDF predicts the price cap will increase to £1,796 in April, a marginal increase from Cornwall Insight's prediction.

It said: 'The wholesale allowance for the April to June cap will finish indexing later this month, however there's still potential for significant volatility in wholesale prices during the remainder of the indexation period as observed recently.'

It also said that there are other non-energy costs, including for transmission and distribution networks and low carbon subsidies, that are yet to be confirmed.

It predicts a further increase in July to £1,816 although its prediction confidence is 'low' and says it will depend on various factors.

British Gas predicts an even higher price cap of £1,825 between April and June, and another increase to £1,860 in July.

While the energy market has stabilised in recent months, British Gas warns that 'surprises can happen' and if geopolitical tensions worsen, prices could go up affecting its predictions."

 

[Bam Bam]

One thing to note about Tomato energy is that they don't seem to use renewable energy at all, whereas Octopus prioritise this.

To be fair, they have some kind of argument about this labelling.

But nevertheless it will be a factor for some EV drivers.

https://www.tomato.energy/fuel-mix

 

[Everest]

To be fair, they have some kind of argument about this labelling

whoever you pay the bill to, the energy being supplied to your house will be generated by the same mix as the whole national grid at that time (at tomato point out).

Which right this moment is 53% gas - see:-

GB Fuel type power generation production

GridWatch | Live statistic of UK National Electricity grid by type of generation | Solar PV power Generation | Coal Stations output in Gigawatts | Wind Output Gigawatts | Nuclear energy output |Biomass power generation Output

gridwatch.co.uk

Excluding those of us who use solar and have batteries, that is.

For those charging at cheap rates overnight, it will actually be less renewables as there will be no solar generated at those times. So, if you have to charge from the grid and want to be most 'eco', then you should charge your car during the day on sunny days, so more of the energy is renewably generated

 

[Gadget Geek]

One thing to note about Tomato energy is that they don't seem to use renewable energy at all, whereas Octopus prioritise this.

To be fair, they have some kind of argument about this labelling.

But nevertheless it will be a factor for some EV drivers.

https://www.tomato.energy/fuel-mix

I'd like to see how they filter out the gas generated electrons from the renewable ones.

Having read the article below I have just signed up with Tomato Energy myself !

I''ll be switching from Octopus Go (can't have IOG unless I get a new wall chargepoint) and by my calcs (fairly accurate from 9 months use) should save over £250 per year at current rates.

Still awaiting any confirmation email but I presume it will be as advertised and fixed for 12 months which should result in even higher savings if the article below is anything like accurate.

I went for the standard "Tomato Lifestyle Fixed TP October 2024-V1-Tariff-ED1E" which was on offer at the time of posting this.

Source :-

April energy cap to be higher than predicted - here are cheaper deals

Households will have to shell out even more than anticipated on their energy bills from April when Ofgem's price cap changes, according to new predictions.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

Quote : from above source :-

"EDF predicts the price cap will increase to £1,796 in April, a marginal increase from Cornwall Insight's prediction.

It said: 'The wholesale allowance for the April to June cap will finish indexing later this month, however there's still potential for significant volatility in wholesale prices during the remainder of the indexation period as observed recently.'

It also said that there are other non-energy costs, including for transmission and distribution networks and low carbon subsidies, that are yet to be confirmed.

It predicts a further increase in July to £1,816 although its prediction confidence is 'low' and says it will depend on various factors.

British Gas predicts an even higher price cap of £1,825 between April and June, and another increase to £1,860 in July.

While the energy market has stabilised in recent months, British Gas warns that 'surprises can happen' and if geopolitical tensions worsen, prices could go up affecting its predictions."

Welcome to Team Tomato.

Since I got rid of the gas supply and moved from Eon to Tomato, I have been comparing bills from 12 months ago. So far I have saved £132 in November, £119 in December, and £102 in January.

Well pleased.

 

[JonnyG]

Welcome to Team Tomato.

Since I got rid of the gas supply and moved from Eon to Tomato, I have been comparing bills from 12 months ago. So far I have saved £132 in November, £119 in December, and £102 in January.

Well pleased.

Thanks and that's some great monthly savings you've got

I've now had my confirmation email and have setup my "myWatts" account. Roll on next week switchover !!

And thanks to all on this thread for tips on the Hugo app. I've got that working yesterday in case of delays with myWatts !

 

[MDWMG]

Having read the article below I have just signed up with Tomato Energy myself !

I''ll be switching from Octopus Go (can't have IOG unless I get a new wall chargepoint) and by my calcs (fairly accurate from 9 months use) should save over £250 per year at current rates.

Still awaiting any confirmation email but I presume it will be as advertised and fixed for 12 months which should result in even higher savings if the article below is anything like accurate.

I went for the standard "Tomato Lifestyle Fixed TP October 2024-V1-Tariff-ED1E" which was on offer at the time of posting this.

Source :-

April energy cap to be higher than predicted - here are cheaper deals

Households will have to shell out even more than anticipated on their energy bills from April when Ofgem's price cap changes, according to new predictions.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

Quote : from above source :-

"EDF predicts the price cap will increase to £1,796 in April, a marginal increase from Cornwall Insight's prediction.

It said: 'The wholesale allowance for the April to June cap will finish indexing later this month, however there's still potential for significant volatility in wholesale prices during the remainder of the indexation period as observed recently.'

It also said that there are other non-energy costs, including for transmission and distribution networks and low carbon subsidies, that are yet to be confirmed.

It predicts a further increase in July to £1,816 although its prediction confidence is 'low' and says it will depend on various factors.

British Gas predicts an even higher price cap of £1,825 between April and June, and another increase to £1,860 in July.

While the energy market has stabilised in recent months, British Gas warns that 'surprises can happen' and if geopolitical tensions worsen, prices could go up affecting its predictions."

I moved over from Octopus GO four months ago (couldn't have IOG for the same reason as JonnyG).

Not only is Tomato Lifestyle's overnight rate cheaper, I get it for 6 hours (instead of 5 on GO), plus 2 morning hours at mid rate (which can be handy for washing machine and dishwasher) and the rates are fixed.

Assuming Tomato put their rates up by about the same percentage as other suppliers in April and July, I'll be sticking with them.

The only issue will be what to do about gas - my Octopus tariff ends in March and there weren't many gas only supply options last time I looked.

 

[johnb80]

The only issue will be what to do about gas - my Octopus tariff ends in March and there weren't many gas only supply options last time I looked.

As much as I hate Octopus due to certain things happening with my account, I left my Gas with Octopus when I moved to Tomato. I renewed my tariff with them last month (tracker) so I'm signed up for another year. Whilst I don't think they advertise gas only, they will do it. Go online to your Octopus account and renew it there if the prices are acceptable.

 

[Rutsy]

One thing to note about Tomato energy is that they don't seem to use renewable energy at all, whereas Octopus prioritise this.

To be fair, they have some kind of argument about this labelling.

But nevertheless it will be a factor for some EV drivers.

https://www.tomato.energy/fuel-mix

I'm also a Tomato customer and have found them good so far. However, their statement on REGOs isn't the full picture. By purchasing REGOs suppliers generate demand for, and hence investment in, renewables. By not purchasing REGOs Tomato are not contributing to that demand.

 

[JonnyG]

...........Assuming Tomato put their rates up by about the same percentage as other suppliers in April and July, I'll be sticking with them.

The only issue will be what to do about gas - my Octopus tariff ends in March and there weren't many gas only supply options last time I looked.

I thought Tomato were fixed rates for 12 months ? so shouldn't change for you in April ?

I switched to a 12 month fixed rate for my Gas last June. After doing a comparison site check I found Ecotricity were the best for me. Fixed until this June 2025 but will then be searching around again !! They were very competitive last June - see below. Maybe worth checking out.

 

[Bam Bam]

I'm also a Tomato customer and have found them good so far. However, their statement on REGOs isn't the full picture. By purchasing REGOs suppliers generate demand for, and hence investment in, renewables. By not purchasing REGOs Tomato are not contributing to that demand.

Yeah, I vaguely remember hearing they had improved the mechanisms so it does make a difference.

I believe it didn't make a difference in the past though.

 

[Jomarkh]

Has anyone signed up for the solar panels and battery?

 

[Susanna]

@MDWMG - when I moved over to Tomato from Octopus, I didn’t realise I could have remained for gas only. I searched for a gas only supplier, and went with Scottish Power. I think the rates were comparable.

@Jomarkh
I started the process, hoping to have sufficient panels on my south facing double garage roof. Unfortunately, for my requirements, I would have had to have 9 panels on there and 3 on the bungalow roof. There would also be a need to rearrange a lot of fixed things in the garage to accommodate the battery.

I must admit that my heart wasn’t wholly in it - I’m almost 75, and I don’t think I wanted the upheaval.

 

[Everest]

@Jomarkh
I started the process, hoping to have sufficient panels on my south facing double garage roof. Unfortunately, for my requirements, I would have had to have 9 panels on there and 3 on the bungalow roof. There would also be a need to rearrange a lot of fixed things in the garage to accommodate the battery.

What about just on the garage? You can get quite a lot of power out of a 9-panel string with regular-sized panels generating up to 450W each, these days. I managed to get over 7kWh in a day from my 9-panel string last week and it's only the beginning of February.

I must admit that my heart wasn’t wholly in it - I’m almost 75, and I don’t think I wanted the upheaval.

Your comment about age reminded me of a posting I was reading on a solar forum where a regular responded to someone who had mused that it wasn't worth installing panels when you're over 75. He said... "That's what I thought about my mother 20 years ago when I put in my PV, so didn't recommend it to her..... She's 101 now."

 

[Rolfe]

I was 70 when I put my panels in. I thought, well, I can't go back and do it any younger, can I?

 

[johnb80]

Ive just got January's bill from Tomato

Which equates to 5.38p kWh average or if standing charge is included 6.62p kWh. If that had been on IOG it would have an average of 8.6p kWh or 10.09p kWh with standing charge included. £44.03 saving over Octopus for January, I'll take that!!

 

[Everest]

but that's nearly 90kWh not on the cheapest rate - you need more batteries

Seriously though, that's great!

 

[johnb80]

but that's nearly 90kWh not on the cheapest rate - you need more batteries

Funny you should say that .................. I am running the numbers through the spreadsheet as we speak. I did notice I had my Octopus comparison wrong, I've corrected it and it's an even bigger saving.

The peak rate use was a little higher in January when the gas price reached IIRC 6.3p, Home Assistant switched over to heat pumps using more electricity but less gas

Seriously though, that's great!

I'm very happy considering heatpumps, 2 x EV, immersion heater, tumble drier etc etc.

 

[Everest]

The peak rate use was a little higher in January when the gas price reached IIRC 6.3p, Home Assistant switched over to heat pumps using more electricity but less gas

I love that intelligent use of control systems. Out of interest, how much power does a typical home heat pump require? And does it switch on and off frequently?

 

[Gadget Geek]

Out of interest, how much power does a typical home heat pump require?

Good question. I'm looking for someone with a heat pump to compare running costs with the Tepeo ZEB.

 

[Everest]

I'm more interested in power requirements than energy costs - but any info is useful from those with real-life deployments.