first:utility - new energy company launches

1carminestocky wrote: »

Anyway, you make fair points, but would this clause be an additional worry given your meter-situation/access problems?

I can obtain access to the meter during normal business hours if I absolutely insist on it by prior arrangement but I always receive an ear bashing for doing so and have to grovel to obtain it from people who enjoy acting like feudal landlords.

So a one off install would then permanently me free me from these hassles. And my situation is hardly unique. Lots of other flat owners find themselves in the same position.

Of course it may be better to wait a year or two before this clearly now type approved meter product by the energy networks begins to be offered by a wider choice of energy suppliers. But on the other hand I think whoever installs the meter is going to want a minimum period to recover their install costs unless you as the customer pay for the meter upgrade costs directly. I can't see this product becoming a standard meter install for at least another 5 years and retro fitting to all existing meters may only happen at scheduled meter replacement time.................

Shonk wrote: »

These jokers are expensive

Lets look at the three rate package

13.5p 6am - 4pm
16.4p 4pm - 8pm
11.5p 8pm - 6am

what am i paying now 9.51p inc vat

even theyr cheapest time is 2p a unit more

In my area (Seeboard) the prices on their three rate tariff are:-

11.64p 6am-4pm
14.69p 4pm-8pm
9.62p 8pm-6am

See www.first-utility.com/downloads/Tariff_Guide-A5_fold_DF_SEBO_280109.pdf

So where do you live? In rural Scotland perhaps?

However I find their two rate tariff where night time energy is less than any other conventional supplier (6.57p per Kw) rather more interesting. One could set off dishwashers and washing machines on going to bed or install timers that started them at these times of day and/or let fridges or freezers go off on timers for say two hours before 12.30am (they wouldn't cool down significantly in that time) to then run flat out for 2 hours from 12.30am when they come back on. However I would be slightly concerned about the potential fire and flood risk of regularly running a washing machine or dishwasher while asleep just to lower your energy cost. In my area (Seeboard) the prices for their two rate tariff are actually as follows:-

11.15p 7.30am-12.30am
6.57p 12.30am-7.30am

Anyone going to First Utility would be better picking their Single Rate or Three Rate tariff unless they never get home until 8pm in the week and always leave home by 6am in the morning.

I am not necessarily going to move to them immediately but I am very interested in the technology so will be keeping an eye on First Utility's prices and any roll out of these mobile phone transmitter based meters to other energy suppliers like Scottish Power or Eon (who are normally the two cheapest in the marketplace for most of the time in my area).

NonGeographicalMan wrote: »

However I find their two rate tariff where night time energy is less than any other conventional supplier (6.57p per Kw) rather more interesting. One could set off dishwashers and washing machines on going to bed or install timers that started them at these times of day

Many people on Economy 7 do as you suggest.

However another consideration is the noise problem of these machines coming on in the middle of the night.

Some blocks of flats ban their use at night for this reason - and given you have problems in your building!!!!!

When, years ago, I was on E7 I found that we were putting on dishwasher overnight when it was not full - and to a lesser extent washing machine, so having extra cycles.

In any case modern washing machines and dishwashers use relatively little power - 0.4kWh -0.6kWh for most washes, so savings will be modest.

pbfhpunk wrote: »

It says about the exit fee on every tariff sheet.

Like I said, I'm clearly thick . But where's me reading glasses? :eek:

There is a cancellation fee of £100 if your contract is terminated within the initial contract period of 24 months. These charges
cover the cost of the smart meters and their installation.
Any instances under our terms & conditions where we are required to impose default rates on residential tariffs will be reflected by
a 20% increase being applied to the standing charge and unit rates. *Subject to regional variations

(Another couple of 'thicko' questions for you ): where does it say you only have to pay £50 to have the meter uninstalled and not the £100 exit fee if you decide to leave within the first 24 months? And where does it say how much they will charge if you aren't in when they call to fit the meter? TIA. :beer:

1carminestocky wrote: »

...where does it say you only have to pay £50 to have the meter uninstalled and not the £100 exit fee if you decide to leave within the first 24 months? And where does it say how much they will charge if you aren't in when they call to fit the meter? TIA. :beer:

I've been watching this with interest, as the pricing is only marginally more expensive than the cheapest, based on my current usage - maybe £15-£30 per year. Just as you point out, their fees aren't clear. I can see £50 termination fee on comparison sites, like energyhelpline, where the tariff is quoted as "v2", but First:Utility's site still states rates from Jan 09, such as a £100 exit fee.

If they indeed have a new tariff, new fee structure, then why can't they update their own website to reflect this? Are there any happy customers of First:Utility on here - I've only seen people talking about them from the outside, but no first hand experience. I couldn't see any guarantees to state they are contrctually obliged to provide the online analysis facilities, but then I only glanced through.

Any good reviews?