Change Supplier?

spiidey

We're currently with EDF Energy on duel fuel, Online Saver v8 tariff, annual consumption 23,544 kWh Gas and 3,928 kWh Electricity. We've been on the Online Saver v8 tariff since 5 February 2011. We pay monthly via direct debit and are in East Lothian in Scotland.


I understand that the tariff is "coming to an end" on 31 March 2012.

1. What does that mean for us?
3. Will be automatically ported over to a new tariff, and if so, which one?
5. If we get automatically ported to a financially disadvantageous tariff, what and by when do we need to switch (either to another EDF Energy tariff or another supplier)?
7. Is there any early termination penalty if we switch off Online Saver v8 before 31 March 2012?

macman

You'll be moved to the default EDF tariff, which will be standard, or the one specified in the T&C's. It takes 4-6 weeks to switch, so if you want to go to another supplier you can start now. If you want to switch to another EDF tariff, you must wait until 1/4.
There's a £30 ETC per fuel.

Consumerist

You should go to one of the Consumer Focus accredited energy switching sites. Enter your postcode and complete the form which follows. You will need the consumption figures you quoted.

Here are some sites to try but there are others :-

Confused.com
Energyhelpline.com
Energylinx.co.uk
Moneysupermarket.com
UKPower.co.uk
Uswitch.com
Which? Switch (switchwithwhich.co.uk)

Post again if you need further help.

spiidey

Consumerist wrote: »

You should go to one of the Consumer Focus accredited energy switching sites. Enter your postcode and complete the form which follows. You will need the consumption figures you quoted.

Here are some sites to try but there are others :-

Confused.com
Energyhelpline.com
Energylinx.co.uk
Moneysupermarket.com
UKPower.co.uk
Uswitch.com
Which? Switch (switchwithwhich.co.uk)

Post again if you need further help.

Hi

Thanks for this.

I've done a check on Uswitch, confused and moneysupermarket and all are bringing up the Npower Go Fix 11 as the cheapest for us.

The EDF tariff (Online Saver v8) that we're currently on comes to an end on 31 March 2012, but from the initial documentation we received from them, there is a clause at the bottom:-

"An Early Termination Fee may be applied to your account if you decide to change supplier before 31 March 2012. The fee applied will be £30 per fuel".

1. At what point, therefore, can I call up NPower to switch to them without incurring the penalty?
2. Do I have to wait until 1 April 2012, or given that it takes 4-6 weeks for the switch to complete, can I call NPower now?
3. If I do so, is there anything specific I need to tell them re my current deal (i.e. that if I leave that before 31 March 2012 I'll incur a penalty, so that NPower can put a flag on their system to make sure that I'm NOT ported across until then?)?
4. Likewise, is there anything I need to inform EDF about?

macman

You can start now, you won't be switched until 4-5 weeks ahead. You cannot specify a switch date.
No, you don't need to contact EDF.
Use a cashback site rather than doing it by phone and you may get some benefit.

t0rt0ise

You can switch now as it takes at least four weeks to complete and it'll be past the 31st by then. You don't need to tell EDF anything, just go ahead and switch. You might want to have a quick look at one of the cashback sites to see if you can get a cash bonus switching through them. Quidco is one and topcashback another.

Oh snap..!

Consumerist

This is always a tricky question to answer. Once you've asked the new supplier to switch you, there is usually a 7 - 14 day cooling-off period during which you can change your mind; you should check on this with the new supplier. It should then take no more than three weeks to complete the switch so it can take up to five weeks. At this stage there should be no real prospect of incurring a termination fee because of an early switch if you request a switch from now on. So :-

1. Now
2. No.
3. Advise nPower of the end date of your current contract when you request to switch and ask them not to switch before then. Confirm in writing if possible
4. Advise EDF that you have requested a switch and to whom. Both suppliers will need you to provide them with a final meter reading. Make sure they both get the same numbers for the same date. It is not uncommon for this bit to cause problems; putting them in writing (email/post) to both should help resolve any problems which may arise.

t0rt0ise

Consumerist wrote: »

3. Advise nPower of the end date of your current contract when you request to switch and ask them not to switch before then. Confirm in writing if possible
4. Advise EDF that you have requested a switch and to whom. Both suppliers will need you to provide them with a final meter reading. Make sure they both get the same numbers for the same date. It is not uncommon for this bit to cause problems; putting them in writing (email/post) to both should help resolve any problems which may arise.

3. is just not necessary and they won't take notice anyway.

4. is not necessary either. You're just making it more complicated than it need be. You give the final/start reading to the new supplier when they ask for it and they tell the old supplier what it is. Check the final bill is correct is all you need do.

Consumerist

In a perfect world t0rt0ise may be right. But it's EDF we're talking about here.

Your choice.

spiidey

Thanks for the replies.

Have just used Topcashback and got £30.30 for switching to Npower's Go Fix 11, which was the cheapest on the uswitch comparison site anyway but just became £30.30 cheaper thanks to all the extremely helpful replies on this forum!

Thanks again!