bad move switching to EDF?

kriso

Hi

I've just moved into a new house today. The flat has prepaid gas and electric metres, more expensive I hear.

I phoned up EDF who supply my old house, cancelled that account and they said they could switch the metres to normal and bill monthly, so I said go ahead.

Now I have second thoughts, as there are bound to be cheaper companies out there for supplying gas and electricity.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Living in London, a 1 bed flat with two people.

Thanks

taxi97w

In the column on the right, over there ->> scroll down and click on
Gas and Electricity

Keeping_Positive

I have found EDF to be the cheapest at the minute using their online account (that i still get posted bills for). I checked to see what was cheapest recently and found I have the best deal. So ask for their online account and you should be fine. Just a note we are in Oxfordshire and its a house with 2 adults 3 kids so Im not sure if that will make much of a difference.

Even if they are not the cheapest you will save money over pre pay and when settled you can switch.

andrewmp

wendy24g wrote: »

I have found EDF to be the cheapest at the minute using their online account (that i still get posted bills for). I checked to see what was cheapest recently and found I have the best deal. So ask for their online account and you should be fine. Just a note we are in Oxfordshire and its a house with 2 adults 3 kids so Im not sure if that will make much of a difference.

Even if they are not the cheapest you will save money over pre pay and when settled you can switch.

I did the same, rang up as they were the current supplied, they've put me on Price Saver 2008 and refuse to change me to their online account, say it's for new customers only!

What can I do, will have to move to another company?

Keeping_Positive

I remember I switched from Seeboard to Sweb (changed name to EDF) a couple of years ago so even though they were both EDF owned I was still switching.

If the new deal they have offered is non competitive I would switch to the next best and then you can always go back to EDF as a new customer!

andrewmp

wendy24g wrote: »

I remember I switched from Seeboard to Sweb (changed name to EDF) a couple of years ago so even though they were both EDF owned I was still switching.

If the new deal they have offered is non competitive I would switch to the next best and then you can always go back to EDF as a new customer!

I've never moved electricity companies before, how long does it all take and do you get stung for fees etc?

Keeping_Positive

Its fairly easy, ocassionally I have to make a few phonecalls to chase things up but nothing major. Im a bit rusty now...

1)ensure you current electric account is in credit or at least not too much owed to them as you will have to pay the balance when you owe when you switch. It may still be worth switching but allow for any money due in your budget. No good saving £5 a month or whatever if you find you owe £200 which will need to be paid in one go!!

2) check current meter readings are in line with current billing ie you have not been underpaying ( overpaying is a bonus because you should get monies back!) because of underestimated readings.

2)decide who to switch to and contact them

3)New provider will ask for a meter reference number not always straight away but they will let you know and it will be on an existing bill.

4)Make sure you take readings and provide as soon as your asked.

Ive moved loads of times so give it a go. I always check my meter readings when I get the quarterly bills and then ring EDF to update. I could/should do it more often but forget. I find the estimates are now usually not far out so I am not overpaying.

Good luck

kriso

I just received the pack and contract through. I am confused, I thought prepay is more expensive than being on contract. The price per unit of prepay is cheaper than contract with edf.

For electricity on prepay
fixed daily charge - 15.11p
all kWh - 9.60p

For electricity on contract
Band A (900kWh p/a) - 15.74p
band B kHw - 9.60p

Prepay gas
Band A (16.05 kwh per day) - 3.629p
Band B kWh - 2.525p

Duel fuel gas
Band A (5860 kwh p/a) - 3.705p
Band B kwh - 2.33p

Surely that works out more expensive to be on contract than prepay.

Keeping_Positive

Cant see how?

The prepay elec is charging 15.11p a day plus usage. Whereas the contract is just what is used. I think its standard to have a higher charge for the first lot of units used. I think they divide the per annum allowance over 4 quarters.

Gas I am not so sure about as the per annum allowance works out as 5860/365=16.05kwh per day. So its slightly more expensive at 3.705 than the prepay 3.629 for the first 16.05kwh. Then cheaper afterwards at 2.33 contract and 2.525 prepay.

It depends on your usage I guess. I would ring them and ask for their most competative prices. I cant see it being pre pay. Also you pay upfront on prepay but in arrears with contract.