Is Green Star's unlimited energy tariff any good? - new guide

Former_MSE_Sally

Hi all, we have new Is Green Star's unlimited energy tariff any good? guide, and we'd love to hear your feedback.

Just click reply below to share any info. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.

Thanks for your help,

MSE Sally

The.Far.Tall.Knight

Not in my opinion, just did a quote and was refused this tariff due to my consumption on a 2 bed mid-terraced being judged as too high for them to cope.
Just for clarity, presently I'm on EDF Blue+Price Promise Nov 2016, with an average annual consumption of 15,134 kWh gas / 4,663 kWh electricity so it aint really unlimited as their roof limit on a property my size is between 8001-16000 kWh of gas per year (no less than/no more than) and between 4001-6000 kWh of electricity (no less than/no more than).

NB: they will know what type of property it is because (A) you have to prove it and (B) ever heard of google maps or zoopla?

Well I suppose it is kinda unlimited provided you can prove from the start that you fall way under their radar, then once you've switched and you're lulled into the assumption you can start start using as much as you want the T&C's kick in stating you MUST be able to provide MONTHLY meter readings, (not much cop if your meters are in an intake room like a lot are in a block of flats or you are elderly/disabled and they are 9ft high) and, when they catch on that all of a sudden you've started using electricity like you've started growing funny green plants in your loft and more gas than Warburton's bread ovens they will switch you to another tariff so seems a bit surreptitious to me

bobibhai

On line system can't load Quote & Switch page. I rang the company, selected 'Press 1' for Sales- usually companies answer sales lines quickly- 5 minutes later after awful music and usual 'all agents are busy', got a human, gave my details- twice. Then he couldn't get into system same problem- page won't load. Agent puzzled, 'worked just now'- then 'the same thing happened yesterday'.. ' thought this was sorted out ', then gave details again- still no luck. Agent very puzzled then suggested I try again later- system seems to have a fault!!

bobibhai

Today I spoke to a Sales Rep. I asked what would happen if, say, we had a very hard winter and we, a retired couple living at home, started having the heating on more, and used an amount above the profile as supplied by OVO for the past accounting year. The answer was that it wouldn't matter if we used more energy, unless we used a lot more in which case we would be taken off of the unlimited tariff and switched to a usage based tariff. I asked how much is "a lot more?". The reply was that is difficult to say. So what do I make of this- its unlimited until it isn't. So how can I, or any potential customer make an informed decision? Anyone got any bright or informed idea's?
BTW, I live in a 4 bed detached house with heated conservatory. Energy usage for past 12 months Electricity 3,800 KWH, Gas 15266 KWH

lstar337

It's an ever-moving goalpost. Unlimited until they randomly decide it isn't, at which point you are dumped on the most expensive tariff.

I don't see how this could ever work.

AndyJ52

I thought that this might suit me ...
However, judging by the MSE graphic I'm already using more electricity than the highest amount allowed, some 6000kwh, although there is some wiggle room on gas usage!
As you say Istar337, it's unlimited until it isn't ........ as though introducing uncertainty into the UK energy supply market was a novel concept!

bobibhai

So Head of Energy's assurance to MSE that "Unlimited" is just that- Unlimited (see main article) does not seem to have found its way down to the Sales office where as above in effect it is unlimited until it isn't, i.e. the customer uses more than Green Star think is reasonable. I was told that if consumption went up 'a lot' because ,say, we have a severe Winter, then I would be automatically switched to another tariff- which costs more.

Sillychuckie

Are there any tariffs like this on the market for electricity only? (i.e. not duel fuel?).
We have no gas supply - only electric.

SC

littlereddevil

Looks like I won't bother then

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

No. It does not beat my fixed price tariffs with Scottish Power!

damima

I think its misleading as I applied and the first thing it asked for was my PostCode, it readily accepted that so i went on to answer a host of questions then after I put in my annual consumption, It returned the message to say that, that Unlimited Scheme was not available in my area.
This reeks of bad practice and misleading advertisements.
They could easily have told me the scheme was not available, but waited until I provided them with details of my consumption, they then tried to encourage me to take up another of their schemes.
Sorry but I will have no dealings with them now or in the future.
Sharp Practice.