If you are trying to decide between Bulb, Pure Planet and Octopus, I’ve created a useful comparison based on the Typical Domestic Consumption Values from ofgem.
In summary:
ELECTRIC ONLY
Bulb
DUAL FUEL WITHOUT ECONOMY 7
OTHERWISE
In a little more detail, the findings are as follows:
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If you are an ‘Electric Only’ customer (whether you have Economy 7 or not), choose Bulb (regardless of your Usage) [1]
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If you are a ‘Dual Fuel’ customer WITHOUT Economy 7, choose Pure Planet (regardless of your Usage)
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If you are a ‘Dual Fuel’ customer WITH Economy 7:
3a. Choose Bulb if any of the following are true for you:
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Low Gas Usage (regardless of your Electric Usage)
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Medium Gas Usage and Medium / High Electric Usage
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High Gas Usage and High Electric Usage
3b. Otherwise, choose Pure Planet in the following cases:
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Medium Gas Usage and Low Electric Usage
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High Gas Usage and Low / Medium Electric Usage
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I’ve also created this handy flowchart showing the same for those that prefer something more visual:
For those interested in the underlying calculations, you can also view the (very exciting!) Google Sheet “Bulb vs Pure Planet vs Octopus”.
Re: Octopus, I chose the tariff which I thought most closely matched the ‘green credentials’ of the offerings from Bulb / Pure Planet, however even when considering their ‘best value’ tariff they were still not the most competitive in any of these particular scenarios. [2]
Note that your mileage may vary - rates are different in different parts of the country, so this could certainly have an impact, plus I’m not sure there’s such a thing as the ‘average household’ that will actually match any of these consumption models!
Nonetheless, I hope that this helps someone! If it does, and Pure Planet works for you, you can say ‘thank you’ by using my referral link (and we’ll both get £25 in vouchers if you do!); otherwise, if Pure Planet is the one and you’d prefer to switch directly, their website is here.
[1] Although Pure Planet have a cheaper p/kWh rate than Bulb, you’d have to be using over 7,000 kWh of electricity per year before the cheaper fixed costs of Bulb were negated.
[2] If you are a very low user of electricity (less than 750 kWh per year) on an Electric Only tariff, Octopus is likely worth a look.
Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Pure Planet in any way - just a happy customer trying to help others find the best value deals in a complicated world! On that note, E&OE (although please let me know so I can fix!)