switching providers - any hints and tips?

Duvaljones

hi

i've recently moved in with my girlfriend and, after seeing how much eon are getting out of her every month, have persuaded her to consider switching. they are currently getting £75 a month out of her for a small one-bed flat and recently sent her a letter saying it was going up to £100! i soon got them to stop that but they won't drop it below £75 which i think is way too much, especially when some of the others in her block of flats are paying around £35 a month with edf.

she is in credit with eon to the tune of around £90 (according to their last letter about a month ago). can we get them to give this back to her?

while i understand the beneftis of monthly direct debits, i can't see how asking for £75 a month for such a small property (let alone £100!) can be justified.

any hints and tips on switching would be greatly appreciated.

t0rt0ise

Use one of the comparison sites to see which would be the cheapest. I use uSwitch. Don't put the Direct Debit amount in but try to use the usage figures instead. If you don't know them then let it guess an average for you.

You can't argue with a supplier to lower the payment unless you can show that it doesn't fit the usage so you need to find out the usage for the year and divide it by 12 to get the monthly figure and go from there.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Duvaljones

Direct Debits are calculated using the most accurate info we have about energy usage at a property. Ideally, using meter readings. This amount is then divided into equal monthly payments.

Have we been basing our assessments on actual meter readings or estimates? If based on actual readings, we will have set the figure based on ongoing usage at the property. Paying less than this will eventually cause a debt to build up.

I would expect accounts to be in credit at the moment to cover the higher bills from last winter.

We aim to achieve as near to a zero balance as possible by the time of the annual review in the spring. At this time, any credit above a fiver is automatically refunded.

You can ask for a refund of a credit balance at any time. We will bill the account up to the latest meter readings and refund the subsequent balance.

However, if this is before the annual review, it's likely we'll then ask to increase the monthly payments as there will not be enough money in the pot to cover future bills.

I would do as t0rt0ise advises and pop your annual usage on to the comparison sites. This will list out all the options available both with us and the other suppliers. Choose the one best for you.

If we're billing to accurate readings and the usage is greater than you anticipated, there are ways we may be able to help you reduce this.

Have a word with our specialist Energy Efficiency team. Give them a list of your appliances and they will be happy to advise of ways you may be able to cut back.

Ask them for a copy of a booklet called '100 ways to save money by saving energy.' It's free and contains lots of good advice.

Check out our website, too; particularly the Interactive House and Energy Fit campaign. More good tips here.

I hope this is useful Duvaljones. Give me a shout if I can help further as will be happy to do so.

Malc

Duvaljones

thanks for the replies so far.

it's all based on meter readings that we give to e-on.

also, i got the numbers wrong, she told me last night that she is now £270 in credit!! - i've told her to ask for it back as that's her money e-on are holding on to.

we'll try the usage method, although i imagine we'll have to ask e-on for the meter readings we've given in the past as we don't keep these once e-on have been told.

victor2

Your bills should show the meter readings used. If you're on paperless billing, you can view the past bills online with E.On.
When I've been in credit, E.On have refunded me the amount in the past. Can't understand how she's so much in credit now, you would expect to be around zero at this time of year, having paid all the winter usage.
Once you've got your actual usage in kWh, put it into the comparison sites and you'll have no difficulty finding one that is less than E.On. I'll shortly be switching away from them after many years with them. Sadly they have no customer loyalty or retention plans that I have seen, just stick you on an expensive standard tariff come the end of your existing plan, so all you can do is leave.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Duvaljones wrote: »

thanks for the replies so far.

it's all based on meter readings that we give to e-on.

also, i got the numbers wrong, she told me last night that she is now £270 in credit!! - i've told her to ask for it back as that's her money e-on are holding on to.

we'll try the usage method, although i imagine we'll have to ask e-on for the meter readings we've given in the past as we don't keep these once e-on have been told.

Hi Duvaljones

Are you due another bill? It may be the credit on the account is building up ready for the next bill, possibly even the one with the annual review.

If not, give us a call with meter readings. As I said above, we'll be happy to bill your account up to date and refund any subsequent balance.

Drop an email to the address in my Profile if you're struggling with the usage. I'll be happy to let you know what it is.

Malc