When should you start Energy switching process?

solorize

Hi,

Does anyone know how far in advance you should start the switching
process for Gas and Electric, to maxamize you current deal, without
going past the deal end date?

i.e. my current deal with EDF Blue +Price Promise April 2014
runs out on the 30th April 2014. So was thinking of starting the
switching process around the 30th March.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Mark

page3

Are you sure it runs out End April and not End March?

I'm on an "April 2014" EDF fixed, which runs out end March (so not really April at all, fancy that - an energy company not really being honest).

I'm planning on giving four weeks or so.

jobdone1

My contract end date is 30/04/2014 blue plus April 2014. Click on account details for info.

solorize

Thanks for your replies.

I can confirm that my current tariff does run out on the 30th April 2014 as checked
this morning again to make sure.

I think 4 weeks before end date seems to be a good idea, as hopefully it will
give them enough time to switch, with out me being put onto their standard tariff
for too long if it over runs.

macman

The switch won't take less than 3 weeks. Since there's no ETC on your tariff, a switch a fews days before 30/4 will not matter.

krisl

I'm on the same tariff and switched today. I would switch between now and mid march, I switched today as my collective purchase offer came through today. I wouldn't wait until the end of March.

Consumerist

If there are no early-termination charges then there is nothing to stop you requesting a switch right away if there is a tariff available now which you find attractive.

M271

krisl wrote: »

I'm on the same tariff and switched today. I would switch between now and mid march, I switched today as my collective purchase offer came through today. I wouldn't wait until the end of March.

I'm also on EDF Price Promise April 2014 and started the switching process yesterday to OVO 12 months fixed. If the switching process to OVO takes 4 to 5 weeks which has been reported on other forums then it will be early April before I am fully switched.
OK I could have waited for 2 or so more weeks to maximise the 9% lower costs on Price Promise April 2014 but April is a lower cost energy part of the year so the on cost should not be that much (I reckon about £7), and I was concerned that the OVO fixed offer at current prices may not be there for much longer.
I also should get £32 cashback by switching through Topcashback.

jem16

M271 wrote: »

I'm also on EDF Price Promise April 2014 and started the switching process yesterday to OVO 12 months fixed. If the switching process to OVO takes 4 to 5 weeks which has been reported on other forums then it will be early April before I am fully switched.

Seems to be about that. I started the Switch process to Ovo on 16th February. I've been given a date of 19th March for the switch.

I also should get £32 cashback by switching through Topcashback.

Did that too via Topcashback and Energylynx. Cashback tracked quickly.

M271

jem16 wrote: »

Seems to be about that. I started the Switch process to Ovo on 16th February. I've been given a date of 19th March for the switch.
Did that too via Topcashback and Energylynx. Cashback tracked quickly.

So you are a few weeks ahead of me in the process, hopefully our switch to OVO goes OK. Maybe you can report if you have any issues or advice.
I like the OVO business model and not being one of the big 6 'bloated' Energy Companies, hopefully OVO costs will remain competative in the future and customer service will be good.

solorize

I have been looking at The Co-Operative Energy "Pioneer - Fixed 2016", Fixed till 31 Mar 2016.

As don't want to fix for 3 years as the monthly payments will be quite a bit more.

With the above mentioned 2 year fix, it will cost me: £18.66pm
approx £4.70 pw extra on what I am paying now. And going for
this one rather than fixing for 1 year, means I don't have to switch
again for another 2 years rather having to switch than again next year.
Also this deal has no exit fees, so if cheaper deals come out
I can always switch without penalty.


Do you think this is the right way to go?, or would I be better off
going with say OVO fixed for 1 year? I know its all a bit of a gamble
whichever way I go, but would like to hear from others before I make my final decision.