How often can/do you change supplier?

gt94sss2

I know it sounds like a very basic question but at what point do you judge it worthwhile changing energy suppliers/tariffs?

For instance, I know that some change supplier once the price saving reaches £25/year.. others wait until the price difference is larger and the most die hard will change for any saving at all..

At the moment, prices seem to be falling - and each deal seems to be cheaper than the last.

However, we changed electricity provider in mid-October (for the first time in a year) and the latest UKPower/Eon deal I posted is at least £30 cheaper and fixed (unlike my current variable deal) than this.

BUT at the same time:

1. While I have supplied opening readings, the new supplier hasn't yet sent me an opening bill nor the old supplier a final bill; and

2. I don't want to miss out on the £12 rebate from the Government Energy Rebate (which Eon has already paid its customers) but am not sure which supplier would pay me or when I would need to be their customer...

Grateful for any thoughts.

Thanks
Sunil

AndyPK

I guess it depends on personal preference.

Hassle v Saving

Hassle can be defined in two ways.
1. The amount of time if everything goes smoothly
2. The amount of time if things don't go smoothly !

Changing tariff with the same company is an easy win

JJ_Egan

Saving £100 PA probably but under that it would depend upon many factors like how happy i am with current supplier .

Never had a problem swapping and have swapped many times .

C_Mababejive

I carry out analysis maybe 6 months prior to end of current contract and track it for a while. I then do whatever deal is best for me. I also factor in cashback,freebies etc..

FOREVER21

I have switched suppliers many times and had no difficulties ,with the exception of my switch to Co -op Energy which the whole experience was a nightmare., this was last year and I have now switched viaMSE cheap energy club.

I have made considerable savings over the years, including cash back and cheaper tariffs. I now think generally speaking that once a year is sufficient especially if you go to a fixed tariff.

I also think that having switched a few times the amount that can be gained is now marginal, the best savings that can be made are by people who have never switched, for whatever reason.

Having just switched in Sept. I now find that I can switch again without paying any exit fee, but I would only gain £24. I think I would only consider switching in future if I could save more than £100.

macman

Review at least annually or say 2 month prior to end of current fixed deal. A comp site search takes less than 5 minutes, switching another twenty minutes via a cashback site. Say half an hour in total. If that saves you £25, you are 'earning' at a rate of £50 per hour, which is not a bad hourly rate for most of us.