EDF Blue - Is it really a no-brainer?

zolablue25

OK, so I've read all of Martin's ravings about the EDF Blue tariff suggesting that its cheap and fixed. So, as any good money saver should, I went to Uswitch and Moneysupermarket to check what I am currently paying and how much I could 'save' by going EDF Blue. I am currently on EOn online summat or other (I knew the correct tariff when comparing it just escapes my feeble memory now - curse you ageing process!!). When doing the comparison I found that I would be over £150 a year worse off by going to EDF! Now, either I am a very non-typical consumer, or the only person on the EOn tariff or the research suggesting that EDF Blue is competitive is flawed. I have conflicting emotions about all this, on the one hand I would have loved for EDF to be comparable so that I could lock in for very little loss, but on the other hand I should be happy that I am apparently on a great deal.

Anyway, I guess the point of this post is - Just because Martin says that EDF is competetive and you should change don't accept it without checking first.

Wywth

zolablue25 wrote: »

OK, so I've read all of Martin's ravings about the EDF Blue tariff suggesting that its cheap and fixed. So, as any good money saver should, I went to Uswitch and Moneysupermarket to check what I am currently paying and how much I could 'save' by going EDF Blue. I am currently on EOn online summat or other (I knew the correct tariff when comparing it just escapes my feeble memory now - curse you ageing process!!). When doing the comparison I found that I would be over £150 a year worse off by going to EDF! Now, either I am a very non-typical consumer, or the only person on the EOn tariff or the research suggesting that EDF Blue is competitive is flawed. I have conflicting emotions about all this, on the one hand I would have loved for EDF to be comparable so that I could lock in for very little loss, but on the other hand I should be happy that I am apparently on a great deal.

Anyway, I guess the point of this post is - Just because Martin says that EDF is competetive and you should change don't accept it without checking first.

How much gas and electricity do you use per year?
Is whatever tariff you are currently on fixed for the next two winters? If not, have you allowed for a potential prise rise or rises during that time?

But yes, everyone should consult a comparison site as to their own particular situation and decide for themselves what is the best deal for them.
Whilst EDF Blue+ is a very competitive tariff, it won't be the best solution for everyone.

ETA: Martin does not say switching to EDF is a no brainer, he suggests switching to a cheap, fixed tariff is a no brainer for many faced with the high probability that prices are likely to rise soon. (SSE has already announced an average 9% rise)

jalexa

zolablue25 wrote: »

When doing the comparison I found that I would be over £150 a year worse off by going to EDF! Now, either I am a very non-typical consumer, or the only person on the EOn tariff or the research suggesting that EDF Blue is competitive is flawed.

Or possibly you have made a mistake. If you post your annual consumption and tariff name we can check for you.

neilmcl

OP, exactly what is your current tariff called and when is it due to expire?

No point comparing with your current tariff if it's not about to expire, what you should do is compare against a standard variable tariff and see which is the cheapest of all the current tariff offers out there.

saveonarola

zolablue25 wrote: »

I am currently on EOn online summat or other (I knew the correct tariff when comparing it just escapes my feeble memory now - curse you ageing process!!). When doing the comparison I found that I would be over £150 a year worse off by going to EDF! Now, either I am a very non-typical consumer, or the only person on the EOn tariff or the research suggesting that EDF Blue is competitive is flawed.

I'm on Eon EnergyOnline and I've just done a price comparison on Uswitch and EDF Blue is about £90 a year cheaper. Perhaps my usage is not typical - my annual bill last year was around £500 - but this seems like a massive discrepancy. What is your tariff and what was your annual bill last year?

zolablue25

This is interesting. OK for those interested and wanting to help (thanks) I am on Saveonline10 and it expires 29/10/12.
4032kWh Leccy per year and 10,021 Gas per year.

There would be a £10 cancellation fee for Electricity and £20 for Gas, so £30 overall.

Cheers

Edit: Ooh, just rechecked and its coming in just £36.41 more. I wonder where I went wrong before. I apologise for besmirching the good name of Martin.

BargainMad_3

What's right for one might not be right for another as it all depends on so many variables.....what your tariff is now including unit costs and standing charges, what your usage actually is, your method of payment, how long you have left if you are on a fix presently, plus any get off fees for leaving. Switching suppliers can be fraught with problems as those of us who switched to EDF in 2010 will vouch.

I am presently on EDF Blue September 2013 and have just logged into my EDF account and done a tariff switch to EDF Blue April 2014. The unit prices for gas and electric are just a tad higher than I am paying now (we are talking fractions of a penny) and the standing charges are the same. (I must admit the standing charges are quite high but you have to see the whole picture.)

The change gave me a new contract end date of September 2013 but you can leave the contract early with no penalties meaning I can still switch if something better comes along.

So this was simple for me to do as I am already an EDF customer and so have been through the switching of suppliers. For me it was indeed a "no brainer" as I am now prolonging the prices for two winters (instead of one) for just a small amount more.

Wywth

zolablue25 wrote: »

This is interesting. OK for those interested and wanting to help (thanks) I am on Saveonline10 and it expires 29/10/12.
4032kWh Leccy per year and 10,021 Gas per year.

There would be a £10 cancellation fee for Electricity and £20 for Gas, so £30 overall.

Cheers

Edit: Ooh, just rechecked and its coming in just £36.41 more. I wonder where I went wrong before. I apologise for besmirching the good name of Martin.

So EDF Blue+ tariff would be the cheapest, currently available tariff for you after all

However the tariff is already withdrawn from the comparison sites and probably will be withdrawn altogether, very ,very soon.

However, as there is still 2 months to go on your old, cheap tariff, and to avoid the £30 early exit fees, I would be inclined to stay put and enjoy the savings the cheap tariff you are on offers.

See what is available beginning of October. Maybe the FU deal will still be available at just £48p.a. more than you currently pay.
Or perhaps the SP deal will be as it has only just been launched today at £60p.a. more ... and there's usually some good cashback offerings to grab with SP that should more than cover that £60

Snowbelle

zolablue25 wrote: »

This is interesting. OK for those interested and wanting to help (thanks) I am on Saveonline10 and it expires 29/10/12.
4032kWh Leccy per year and 10,021 Gas per year.

There would be a £10 cancellation fee for Electricity and £20 for Gas, so £30 overall.

Cheers

Edit: Ooh, just rechecked and its coming in just £36.41 more. I wonder where I went wrong before. I apologise for besmirching the good name of Martin.[/QUOT

Is it possible to avoid the exit fee by starting a switch to EDF and then changing from Saveonline10 to their standard tariff whilst the switch takes place? I realise the standard tariff will be more expensive for this time but may be cheaper than the exit fee.

sillygoose

On the subject of EDF Blue+ ...

I was just about to click 'switch' as its £250 a year cheaper for me and fixed but stopped when I noticed it mentioned "calculation will assume that you are paying a fixed monthly direct debit"

Followed by "If you would like to pay by variable Direct Debt amount or by Cash Cheque please contact us on 0800 056 5927"

Does anyone know what this is all about? is the tariff not available or more expensive if paid by variable DD?

I hate those fixed payment schemes as I end up 'lending' them a lot of money interest free during the warm seasons and its hard to get it back. I just want to pay for what I used each month.

Disillusioned! Thanks.

Wywth

sillygoose wrote: »

On the subject of EDF Blue+ ...

I was just about to click 'switch' as its £250 a year cheaper for me and fixed but stopped when I noticed it mentioned "calculation will assume that you are paying a fixed monthly direct debit"

Followed by "If you would like to pay by variable Direct Debt amount or by Cash Cheque please contact us on 0800 056 5927"

Does anyone know what this is all about? is the tariff not available or more expensive if paid by variable DD?

I hate those fixed payment schemes as I end up 'lending' them a lot of money interest free during the warm seasons and its hard to get it back. I just want to pay for what I used each month.

Disillusioned! Thanks.

You get a 6% discount for agreeing to pay fixed monthly payments by DD, so if you don't want to pay this way you will pay more.