Switching to First Utililty

Cardew

fluffyskg wrote: »

@ 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.

You are a very low user. currently £570pa for gas and electricity and will get it for £431

Did you enter kWh or monthly payments to achieve those results? The latter is useless.

You might get better results taking gas and electricity from separate companies - Ebico is good for low gas users for example.

As said above, the comparison figures you have obtained will be out of date soon as the next round of cuts(hopefully) take effect.

If FU don't cut(as they already have made a cut) then you are tied into a contract that might be a lot more expensive - what for example would happen if they introduce a new lower tariff that is available to new customers only(some of the big 6 have used that tactic)

Also given the different types of Tariff on FU, I wonder how they can give a figure for costs? i.e. You and I might use, say, 3000kWh pa but my pattern of consumption(time of day) be different from you and I would select a different FU tariff.

fluffyskg

Premier wrote: »

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).

Wow you guys are good at this!! That goes to Cardew as well, whose quote I couldn't figure out how to include. The lady on the phone at FU said that they "may look favourably on my situation if I move within 24 months and change to FU at my new address when I do so" - not good enough, not for me.

In a way I support what they are trying to do. The smart meters are a good way IMO of getting people to think about what energy they are using and when. Having them may not directly save you money, but I believe the re-evaluation of energy usage they will prompt in most people will result in savings. I just can't take the risk of moving and being charged. With my low usage the exit fees would be as much as any savings.

Sincere thanks for the advice and help everyone.