First Utility?

Urchin_2

Hi

I am looking at switching away from E.on ASAP after they turned out to be a total rip off!

The comparison sites are all telling me to use First Utility but I have never heard of them.

Does anyone have any experience of them? TBH looking at reviews on moneysupermarket it doesn't look good.

skintnutta

Hi, I've just posted a very similar email to yours, looking to leave e-on and 2 comparison sites recommended first:utility. Where did you hear that first:utility weren't very good?

Fiona

Urchin_2

just here

clicky

stuff like the change over takes months and the customer service is rubbish.

jd87

The thing with First Utility is that they use smart meters - these are meters that give you a read out of your usage and they are also directly connected to the company, so they never need to read your meter, they can get you usage direct from the meter remotely.

This is a good thing because it means you always get accurate bills. There are disadvantages though:

1. You pay for the amount you use each month. Where normal companies spread your cost out over the year, first utility don't. This means you get really low bills in summer, but really expensive ones in winter.

2. Because they incur costs installing the smart meter equipment, you have to sign up to a minimum contract with them. I'm not sure how long the contract is for, something makes me think it is something like 18 or 24 months. The charge if you want to get out of the contract early is probably quite high.

If you like the idea of the smart meter then go for it, just make sure you put some money aside to help with the winter bills, and don't forget you will be tied in to them.

Cardew

jd87 wrote: »

The thing with First Utility is that they use smart meters .

They have also recently introduced a 'normal' tariff (ie without smart meters) called Isave.

There are a couple of threads on the pros and cons of both types of tariff.