Thinking about doing a first switch? any advice.

isayhello

Hi,

I've gone to the energyhelpline website and found that for gas, if i move to southern electric from British gas, I could save about £50 a year as their tariffs are cheaper.

How difficult or complicated is this process to go through? is it done all online and take a few days to switch? or do they send forms in the post and take weeks or months to switch?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

penrhyn

The process is usually all done on line and takes around 6 weeks.

xbrenx

My recent switch to Npower took less than 6 weeks to complete. All done online, there were no paper forms to fill in, Npower told the old company, all I had to do was let both companies know the meter readings but that was just before change over and they (Npower) told me when it needed to be done. All easy peasy :-)

macman

Make sure that you do the comparison based on annual kWh usage and not on monthly DD amounts-the former is much more accurate. Your existing supplier will give you your annual consumption if you call them.
And then do the actual switch via a cashback site rather than a comparison site. If you do it now you'll get the benefit by the time the cold weather comes along.

Mr_K

Dead easy, done it several times without problem. You just need to apply to your new supplier and that should be it. As mentioned go via a cash back site to get more money. Energyhelpline and this site (if you go via a link on here) will get a cut if you go via that route. You might aswell have all the commission yourself. Also check for cancellation charges on your new tariff, not that that should stop you but its something to take into account.

Go for it.

isayhello

Thanks for all the info everyone.

I'm really thinking about doing it but a part of me does worry about the service the next supplier might provide etc...and if you have problems with your gas or electric then that can turn out to be a pretty big issue.

Hmm, will think about it a bit more.

Also, the other thing I'm wondering about is the hassle aspect, as I guess the rates could change back in favour of the people you left a short while after you leave.

macman

Whichever supplier you use, you're getting the same gas and electricity regardless, over the same pipes and cables. And any emergency call-out is done by the local providers, e.g. if you have a gas leak it is dealt with by the regional supplier-so no difference whatsoever.
The only unique function that the new supplier has to deal with is billing.
Yes, rates can go up and down at any time, but that equally applies to your existing supplier-most of the big 6 simply follow each other's pricing.
There is no hassle, changing takes about 15 minutes, many people do it annually or more often to chase the cashbacks.
Even if you only save £50, what other job pays you the equivalent of £200 per hour?

isayhello

Thanks Macman,

I totally agree. I think I will research it and then do it