newbie.....dumb question

audievo

hi all,
i have been with british gas for years on what i believe a very high rate.
I am looking to switch suppliers so any advice welcome.
My main question is, if i find a deal i like online and sign up for it do i have to do anything regarding my current supplier or is it all automatic once i swithch?
Sorry if i appear a bit dim but i have never switched online before,
thankyou.

lindabea

You don't need to do anything once you decided which supplier you'd like to sign up with. The whole process of switching is made between the 2 suppliers. Good luck with your choice - let us know your choice.

dogshome

Hi audievo - Switching is designed to be easy, you just use the switch sites to find a cheaper supplier and tell them you want to Switch, then after a period of a few weeks the new supplier will ask for your meter readings, tell you the day the Switch will take place and inform you old supplier of the meter readings and date
..... and this what can go wrong
You must check the tariff figures and terms given on the Switch Site, against those listed on the suppliers Web Site
When you give your meter readings to the new supplier, they are not passed directly to the old supplier, but are filtered thro' three background agencies before they reach your old supplier, which totals 5 seperate chances of a c*ck-up.
On the day you are asked for your meter readings, WRITE a joint letter to both your old and new suppliers confirming the readings and the day of the switch - It won't guarantee nothing goes wrong, but if it does you have got your tail covered
Best of Luck

KimYeovil

The work is carried out (automatically) by your new supplier - they will contact your present supplier, they will ask you for a current reading so they can pass it on to your present supplier, etc.

Make sure you keep a note of your current readings, make sure you have an approximate idea of how much you owe/are owed from a final bill and make sure you check the starting readings actually used after you have switched.

Also before you switch first check universal cashback sites like topcashback.co.uk or quidco.com to see if there are better cashback deals than available from dedicated switching sites like energyhelpline.

audievo

Thankyou, i will do.
I'll be having a good hunt tonight.
I am currently paying winter bills for gas almost £600 and electricity (yep a quarter) so you can see why i've decided enough is enough and i need to get smart with my supplier.
My bills are a staggering £2600+ p/a and no it ain't a mansion, traditional 3 bed semi in north east.
Initially on the quick calculators i am getting up to £800 p/a savings quoted.
Wow...........thats enough for a nice week in the sun!

audievo

Sorry that's £600 gas, £300 electric (quarter)

KimYeovil

If you are spending £300 per quarter (and want, for whatever reason, to continue with that useage) don't forget to check under the 'electricity-only' and 'gas-only' tabs. With that consumption you are very likely to get the best deals from having separate suppliers - the cheapest tier 2 rates will easily outweigh dual fuel bonuses and even cancellation fees - check sites regularly for new/revisions to tariffs, especially the electricity.

audievo

ok, thanks,
the electricity is due to 2 grown up kids still at home, so 3-4 tvs, computers, games machines, hi-fi's etc.
And the worst of the electricity is that the bill is constant, at least the gas goes down in summer.
I'll have a go at seperate suppliers too.

audievo

ok, so far edf, eon, first utility and sainsburrys are the top four on money supermarket.
savings are comming in between £630 and £730 per year.
First utility are no.1 but seem to have a 1 star rating compared to four or five stars for the others.
I am swaying towards sainsburrys just because of their "good name"
Anyone using these? any good?