Changing from EDF to another company - but which one?

B'stard

I'm a bit clueless with calculations and comparisons between all the different utility companies.
So would some kind person show some Xmas spirit and give me a hand in choosing which utility company to use next.

I am currently using edf online saver 7. I am a low user roughly
Annual gas usage = 5235 kwh - Annual electric usage = 1450 kwh

I have looked on a comparison website and copied the best(?) ones below. I can't work what is better standing charges or no standing charges, online discounts etc

Thanks:beer:
No. 1


No. 2


No. 3


No. 4


No.5

Ken68

Low and very low users ought to keep away from daily standing charges.
I would plump for No 2. Ebico.
nPower seems popular these days but have a history of deceit.
p.s. Cancellation charges limit your cashback opportunities

B'stard

I forgot to mention that you can receive the following from top cash back referral

npower Go Fix 8 = £93
First Utility Smart As Standard v3 = £41.20

So would the above cash back make a big difference?

Ken68

Watch out for the Smart Meter on First Utility. Recent poster had difficulty moving to a new supplier. And there is a membership fee with Utility Warehouse, also an argumentative thread a mile long. You will have to search, maybe banished to the Telephone Board.
There have been good reports of nPOWER8 but I keep an arms length. Others may differ.
How do you manage 5235kwh Gas p.a.? I am tighter than a ducks rs in the snow and can manage only 8900. Do you have a super duper insulated house.?

jalexa

B'stard wrote: »

I'm a bit clueless with calculations and comparisons between all the different utility companies.

In that case well done for doing a comparison. My first advice is don't get hung-up on the unit prices. If you have accurate consumption figures the headline costs (and % saving) should be accurate.

I can't answer your question about which is best. Tariffs "earn" their placing at the top of the comparison table by virtue of one or more "gotchas". You need to understand that before you make a choice.

Having said that I don't see any obvious "gotchas" on the Ebico proposition for your low consumption.

HappyMJ

I would avoid first:utility due to the huge £264 cash back only if you meet all the conditions like paying on time and not cancelling.

UW has a £18 minimum membership fee per year it's higher if you want a printed bill and there are penalties if you don't pay on time.

Npoower has a £105 annual discount not sure why it only displays as £52.50 but the standing charges put me off that one.

Co-operative has standing charges and due to the very low usage I would avoid.

Ebico is the easiest pay by any method. No late fees and quite a reasonable price for low users. No contract so you can continue to compare after switching and if another company releases a good tariff you can switch without penalty.

B'stard

Ken, these are photos of my gas meter taken on 17th Nov 2010 and 15th November 2011

B'stard

HappyMJ wrote: »

I would avoid first:utility due to the huge £264 cash back only if you meet all the conditions like paying on time and not cancelling.

UW has a £18 minimum membership fee per year it's higher if you want a printed bill and there are penalties if you don't pay on time.

Npoower has a £105 annual discount not sure why it only displays as £52.50 but the standing charges put me off that one.

Co-operative has standing charges and due to the very low usage I would avoid.

Ebico is the easiest pay by any method. No late fees and quite a reasonable price for low users. No contract so you can continue to compare after switching and if another company releases a good tariff you can switch without penalty.

first:utility give you £264 cashback as well £41.20 because you sign-up via topcashback?

npower gives you an £105 annual discount as well as £93 because you sign-up via topcashback?

Ken68

Your readings look Ok, metric meter multiply by 11 to get a rough figure.You're well organised.
Which provider comes top of the list?
What is your pattern of use? If a dodgy meter you might be opening up a can of worms.Be prepared.

B'stard

Ken68 wrote: »

Your readings look Ok, metric meter multiply by 11 to get a rough figure.You're well organised.
Which provider comes top of the list?
What is your pattern of use? If a dodgy meter you might be opening up a can of worms.Be prepared.

I live by myself, and I'm in work all day so the utilities don't get used. Plus I'm not a person who thinks they should have their house in sweltering heat during the winter.
I take photos of the meter readings so I have proof of what the reading are at any given date - they say the camera never lies;)

Here is a picture of the comparison site I used

Ken68

I presume you got the Welcome bonus and topcashback altogether totally £180. and not sure if cancellation charges still apply in your case.
The future of bill format as recommended by OFGEM will be like the Co-op tariff shown, and if you go to Ebico then could lose out.
Anyway I still plump for an ethical company, Eb or Co-op.
I switch orf the gas in summer, so no pilot light to pay.
I would seriously like to know how you do it. 5235kw is pretty good.
My heating goes off at 8am and comes on 6pm so although retired still as if at work.