Switching to First Utililty

fluffyskg

Does anyone have any experience with this company? There is very little about them in terms of customer feedback anywhere on the web. Energyhelpline recommended them highly and was particularly complimentary about their smart meters, which can be read remotely and so you don't ever get estimated bills. I'm very tempted to switch but just wondered if anyone knew anything they wanted to share before I do!

Many thanks.

Magentasue

I looked into this as I like the idea of the smart meter but they are expensive - can't remember details but they're not even on the first page when I do a comparison. Have you tried putting your annual use into a comparison site? You might find that you'll be paying a lot of money every year you are with them.

Vestra

It's been discussed many times on this board whether it's worth the smart meter and no estimated reading is worth the installation costs, contract (I think they scrapped one of these though?)

If you have a search of this board I'm sure you will find something.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

There is plenty of information on First Utility in this section of the forum. - use the search facility.

Certainly not the cheapest, but as they 'jumped the gun' and reduced their prices a little while ago they are reasonably competitive - but will they be after the impending round of price cuts by 'The Big 6' - somehow I doubt it.

Whilst their Smart meter will be useful IMO it is not something worth paying for and despite their claims, won't save a penny.

If they were that confident that they would remain competitive they wouldn't have a 'tie in' period.

I would wait and see how their prices compare in a few weeks.

The Jury is out!!

fluffyskg

Thanks for all your replies. I had a quick search of the boards before posting and couldn't find anything, obviously it wasn't thorough enough! If they have already cut prices that explains why they came out second cheapest (behind npower) in my area and for my usage on energyhelpline.

My understanding is that they fit smart meters for free but there is a £50/meter exit fee if you switch within two years (i.e. £100 for me on dualfuel). I am more likely to move within that period than switch so will ask them what happens in that instance.

Thanks again for your help.

Vestra

fluffyskg wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. I had a quick search of the boards before posting and couldn't find anything, obviously it wasn't thorough enough! If they have already cut prices that explains why they came out second cheapest (behind npower) in my area and for my usage on energyhelpline.

My understanding is that they fit smart meters for free but there is a £50/meter exit fee if you switch within two years (i.e. £100 for me on dualfuel). I am more likely to move within that period than switch so will ask them what happens in that instance.

Thanks again for your help.

Why ask them, you've said it yourself?

Premier_2

fluffyskg wrote: »

...Energyhelpline recommended them highly and was particularly complimentary about their smart meters, which can be read remotely and so you don't ever get estimated bills. ...

Do you have a link to that please?

It's just that the site does state "There is a cancellation fee of £50 if your contract with first:utility is terminated within the initial contract period of 24 months. Paper billing customers are charged an extra £1 a month" and only provides 3 out of 5 stars on service rating which is "derived from the number of cases raised by energywatch, plus services available from the supplier. 5 stars is very good, 4 good, 3 OK, 2 below par and 1 poor."

In comparison, BG 3*, EDF 5*, E.On 4*, nPower 3*, SP 4* & SSE 5*.
A few of the smaller co.s: Ebico 4*, Spark 3*, UW 3*.

pbfhpunk

fluffyskg wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. I had a quick search of the boards before posting and couldn't find anything, obviously it wasn't thorough enough! If they have already cut prices that explains why they came out second cheapest (behind npower) in my area and for my usage on energyhelpline.

My understanding is that they fit smart meters for free but there is a £50/meter exit fee if you switch within two years (i.e. £100 for me on dualfuel). I am more likely to move within that period than switch so will ask them what happens in that instance.

Thanks again for your help.

You won't get any support on this forum for First Utility and def not any for saying you're switching.

I'm in the process of paying of my BG debt so I can switch to them, especially now they've got rid of the connection fee. I have no problem with staying with them for 2 years, and even if I did it's only £100 and I would've saved more than that anyway from switching from my current suppliers.

I know that's not a popular view on here as it's money saving but I like the idea of visibiltiy and accurate bills.

fluffyskg

@ Rian1988 - I want to ask to see if moving out of a property incurs the exit fee. If it is cheapest for me to be with FU, and I move within two years without having to pay an exit fee (as evidently moving does not equate to cancelling the service with them) then why wouldn't I go ahead and sign up? Cheapest AND no fees. Better to ask and be safe than sorry...

@ Premier - I hope this works:
http://www.energyhelpline.com/energy/rg_tariffsearchresults.aspx?Region=7&Postcode=SK9+7NZ&Economy7=False&DualFuel=True&GasSupplierTariffID=94&GasSupplierID=61&GasUsageInputType=DontKnow&GasKwhPA=7864&GasPaymentMethodID=1&ElecSupplierTariffID=94&ElecSupplierID=61&ElecPaymentMethodID=2&ElecUsageInputType=DontKnow&ElecKwhPA=1458&NightUsagePerc=0&DontKnowElecUsage=True&DontCompareElec=False&DontKnowGasUsage=True&DontCompareGas=False&ForCookingSource=Gas&Occupants=2&Bedrooms=1&ForBuildingType=Flat&ForArrangementType=Gas&ForCookingFrequency=Little&ForInsulation=Average&ForGasUsageLevel=BelowAverage&ForElecUsageLevel=BelowAverage&PreferredTariffType=1&PreferredPaymentMethod=1&SortBy=1&GreenTariff=False

That shows FU as being the cheapest behind Npower. As the predicted savings with FU are entirely derived from their pricing and not that end of 12-months discount you get from npower (which makes up £105 of a £140 saving! and so costs more than a tie in to FU if you switch!) they are pound for pound the cheapest supplier for me, according to Martin's recommended comparison site. Moneysupermarket come up with the same result - FU second behind npower.

The bulk of the recommendation I referred to was given over the phone.

Magentasue

pbfhpunk wrote: »

I know that's not a popular view on here as it's money saving but I like the idea of visibiltiy and accurate bills.

I don't think First Utility is going to be a 'good buy' for many. If you like the idea of visibility and accurate bills, think about an online tariff with Scottish Power. I put my meter readings in on the last day of every month and a bill is generated. Other suppliers may do this too, my last didn't so this was a pleasant surprise. I wouldn't say it was a reason to stay with or switch to them but it's a cheaper option than First Utility.

Premier_2

fluffyskg wrote: »

...
@ Premier - I hope this works:
http://www.energyhelpline.com/energy/rg_tariffsearchresults.aspx?Region=7&Postcode=SK9+7NZ&Economy7=False&DualFuel=True&GasSupplierTariffID=94&GasSupplierID=61&GasUsageInputType=DontKnow&GasKwhPA=7864&GasPaymentMethodID=1&ElecSupplierTariffID=94&ElecSupplierID=61&ElecPaymentMethodID=2&ElecUsageInputType=DontKnow&ElecKwhPA=1458&NightUsagePerc=0&DontKnowElecUsage=True&DontCompareElec=False&DontKnowGasUsage=True&DontCompareGas=False&ForCookingSource=Gas&Occupants=2&Bedrooms=1&ForBuildingType=Flat&ForArrangementType=Gas&ForCookingFrequency=Little&ForInsulation=Average&ForGasUsageLevel=BelowAverage&ForElecUsageLevel=BelowAverage&PreferredTariffType=1&PreferredPaymentMethod=1&SortBy=1&GreenTariff=False

That shows FU as being the cheapest behind Npower. As the predicted savings with FU are entirely derived from their pricing and not that end of 12-months discount you get from npower (which makes up £105 of a £140 saving! and so costs more than a tie in to FU if you switch!) they are pound for pound the cheapest supplier for me, according to Martin's recommended comparison site. Moneysupermarket come up with the same result - FU second behind npower.

The bulk of the recommendation I referred to was given over the phone.

If you think there is a possibility that you may end up changing supplier within 12 months (let alone the 24 months FU will tie you in for), perhaps you may like to consider using ebico for gas (£296) and EDF for electricity (£179), giving a total of £475pa with no tie ins

Alternatively if you wish to accept some risk, take ebico for gas and nPower for electricity (£171) , total £467 and should you switch away early you will only lose £21 in nPower discounts paid annually.

This compares to the £469 (or £457 with paperless billing) from FU, but that you may incur cancellation charges of £100 (£50 per energy type) should you switch away early (within initial 24 months).