Octopus Energy reviews: Give your feedback

bristolleedsfan

Relevance is Octopus answer on Social Media, the most accurate way of getting a quote is to put EAC and that will be found on your statement, whilst I would not want anything to be done that might delay switch if new supplier says your usage is more than your DD based on property meter readings history why should I have to explain all this to them when I have been submitting readings daily/weekly for 2 years, Meter changed March 2021, old meter reading on changeover was same as I submitted to Octopus on day of meter change

masonic

bristolleedsfan said:

Relevance is Octopus answer on Social Media, the most accurate way of getting a quote is to put EAC and that will be found on your statement, whilst I would not want anything to be done that might delay switch if new supplier says your usage is more than your DD based on property meter readings history why should I have to explain all this to them when I have been submitting readings daily/weekly for 2 years, Meter changed March 2021, old meter reading on changeover was same as I submitted to Octopus on day of meter change

There is no specific way suppliers must calculate EAC, but each supplier should do it in a consistent manner (and they should be able to explain the calculation). For interest I've looked back through my bills from Octopus and my EAC has been quite variable (only 50% swings, not the 3-fold you are experiencing). I can't see how that could come about unless their Data Collector's calculation method is flawed. It's a figure I generally ignore - especially if I don't know how it has been estimated. I use my own records to estimate my annual consumption.

I agree with you that Octopus shouldn't be recommending people use it if they have no idea how it has been determined.

Verdigris

Yes, I think most suppliers do this. Meter reads that are within a tolerance limit are taken on trust, but if they fall outside expected usage too much they are checked more carefully, possibly including pushing them out to the Data Collector.

Even data collection contractors are subject to checks on out of tolerance readings. If they're a bit out the DC has to enter the reading twice, to eliminate fat-finger type errors. If the reading is well outside the tolerance range the meter serial number has to be input, to "prove" the correct meter has been read.

tlcgrantham

tlcgrantham said:

I think you’re right. I’m not going to rely on them contacting me but I do have a link they gave to see appointments available in my area. It’s showing none available at the moment but I’ll keep checking and follow it up with a phone call later. 

Update. The Link has come up with an offer of an appointment to have a smart meter fitted in 4 weeks which I’ve accepted and Octopus have confirmed by email. Many thanks for the suggestions and help from posters on how to get a smart meter quickly.
        I really want to sign up ASAP for Go Faster when the meter is fitted. So any suggestions on what to do and when to get Go Faster would be appreciated.

masonic

tlcgrantham said:

        I really want to sign up ASAP for Go Faster when the meter is fitted. So any suggestions on what to do and when to get Go Faster would be appreciated.

You'll need to wait for your new meter to be provisioned before you make the switch, which will probably take close to 2 weeks post install. You'll see the new meter appear in your online account, and some time after that a new "Review my smart meter data preferences" will appear under your account balance (make sure this is set to half hourly readings).

Continue to keep an eye on your online account and as soon as you have some usage data recorded then you may wish to sign up to Go via https://octopus.energy/go/ as an intermediate step, as that will take effect right away - assuming even this is an improvement on your current tariff.

Go Faster registrations are processed typically once a week, you need to contact them via their smart@ email address (or better via Twitter), you'll need to fill out a Google form with some details of your usage and desired option. A few days later you'll be offered the nearest Go Faster option to the one you selected with availability (probably the one you selected), which you would then need to accept or decline. The change will take effect from midnight on the day you accept T&Cs.

niktheguru

tlcgrantham said:

tlcgrantham said:

I think you’re right. I’m not going to rely on them contacting me but I do have a link they gave to see appointments available in my area. It’s showing none available at the moment but I’ll keep checking and follow it up with a phone call later. 

Update. The Link has come up with an offer of an appointment to have a smart meter fitted in 4 weeks which I’ve accepted and Octopus have confirmed by email. Many thanks for the suggestions and help from posters on how to get a smart meter quickly.
        I really want to sign up ASAP for Go Faster when the meter is fitted. So any suggestions on what to do and when to get Go Faster would be appreciated.

If you haven't already I would suggest going here: https://octopus.energy/go/ 
Use the "existing customer" sign up link and choose that you want to upgrade to go. This will then appear on your account home page that you are on your way to getting go.

Then once your meter is fitted you can email the smart team and ask to be switched to go faster, as masonic said you'll get a google form to fill out with your preferences.
My smart meter was visible on the account page within 24hrs of it being fitted. (electricity anyway, the gas took 3 weeks and had to be sorted out on their end as it wasn't commissioned properly), so after having the meter fitted I was on go faster within 48 hours, but they do say it can take up to 2 weeks. Good luck.

tlcgrantham

Many thanks I will do as suggested. 

Umiamz

Hmm - I never received a form to fill out. I just switched to Go via the link, which took effect from the next day, then DM'd them on Twitter asking to be moved to the Go Faster tariff I wanted. It was done within a couple of hours.

I was on Agile at the time I did this, so maybe that gave me an advantage.

tlcgrantham

Umiamz said:

Hmm - I never received a form to fill out. I just switched to Go via the link, which took effect from the next day, then DM'd them on Twitter asking to be moved to the Go Faster tariff I wanted. It was done within a couple of hours.

I was on Agile at the time I did this, so maybe that gave me an advantage.

Twitter worked to get an appointment for a smart meter so I’ll give it another go. I tried to sign up for Go via link as Nik suggested but it wouldn’t let me yet. Probably will when the meter connects as Masonic seems to indicate.

tlcgrantham

Thanks guys! As a technophobe I really appreciate your help.  it looks like I did manage to sign up for Go as it appears on my dashboard this morning.
I am very pleased with Octopus too as they have kept me well informed all through the switch and booking a smart meter. (As long as they don’t increase Go tariffs again  before I get my smart meter)