Octopus Energy reviews: Give your feedback

niktheguru

Telegraph_Sam said:

You won't believe ... that I have now booked an appt to have both the meters upgraded to smart but with the gas running in dumb mode.  I have told CS that I wish to switch to Go Faster. For the present I am less concerned about fixing the gas in view of the lack of an obvious alternative and low consumption, but this will have to be reviewed over the next month or two.

Finally. I've managed to convert you.
One question though, why have you decided to upgrade the gas but keep it in dumb mode. It does seem rather counterintuitive. Should either go all out smart or not at all surely? Was there any particular reason?

Telegraph_Sam

In case I decide to switch to an alternative gas supplier that has hassle with smart meter changes, coupled with the fact that for gas there is no cost benefit from TOU tariffs, if I understand correctly. They wanted to replace the gas meter anyway.

tlcgrantham

I have just checked citizens advice website for flexible octopus gas and the rate quoted is 3.056p kw. and daily charge at 21p. It beats tracker and would be fixed for 1 month.  My region is East Midlands. 

Umiamz

tlcgrantham said:

I have just checked citizens advice website for flexible octopus gas and the rate quoted is 3.056p kw. and daily charge at 21p. It beats tracker and would be fixed for 1 month.  My region is East Midlands. 

I’m paying 2.88p/kWh on Flexible Octopus in the East Midlands at the moment. Waiting for them to increase it any time, though.

bristolleedsfan

tlcgrantham said:

I have just checked citizens advice website for flexible octopus gas and the rate quoted is 3.056p kw. and daily charge at 21p. It beats tracker and would be fixed for 1 month.  My region is East Midlands. 

Fixed for 24 month with no exit fees as opposed to price guarantee for 1 month  Gas Unit rate: 3.2 p/kWh Standing charge: 26.59 p/day - Region -  East Midlands.

Flexible Octopus Gas only beats Tracker if Gas is used during summer months - Gas Tracker Standing charge: 15.09 p/day - Region -  East Midlands.

niktheguru

Telegraph_Sam said:

In case I decide to switch to an alternative gas supplier that has hassle with smart meter changes, coupled with the fact that for gas there is no cost benefit from TOU tariffs, if I understand correctly. They wanted to replace the gas meter anyway.

1. I would suggest a smart meter installed in "dumb mode" would pose a similar problem to any supplier as a smart meter in smart mode. The "hassle" as you suggest is generally that the smart meter goes dumb as the newer provider cant read it. On the system the make and model number will still give new providers the appearance that it is a smart meter.

2. To my knowledge there are no TOU gas tariffs.

[Deleted User]

niktheguru said:

Telegraph_Sam said:

In case I decide to switch to an alternative gas supplier that has hassle with smart meter changes, coupled with the fact that for gas there is no cost benefit from TOU tariffs, if I understand correctly. They wanted to replace the gas meter anyway.

1. I would suggest a smart meter installed in "dumb mode" would pose a similar problem to any supplier as a smart meter in smart mode. The "hassle" as you suggest is generally that the smart meter goes dumb as the newer provider cant read it. On the system the make and model number will still give new providers the appearance that it is a smart meter.

2. To my knowledge there are no TOU gas tariffs.

I am not sure what to say. Not pairing the gas meter is just plain dumb. As you say, there are no TOU gas tariffs. The advantages of having a gas meter in smart meter are (a) you can read the index reading off the IHD; (b) you can see how much gas you are using and (c) Octopus produces some useful daily graphs.

bristolleedsfan

Dolor said:

niktheguru said:

Telegraph_Sam said:

In case I decide to switch to an alternative gas supplier that has hassle with smart meter changes, coupled with the fact that for gas there is no cost benefit from TOU tariffs, if I understand correctly. They wanted to replace the gas meter anyway.

1. I would suggest a smart meter installed in "dumb mode" would pose a similar problem to any supplier as a smart meter in smart mode. The "hassle" as you suggest is generally that the smart meter goes dumb as the newer provider cant read it. On the system the make and model number will still give new providers the appearance that it is a smart meter.

2. To my knowledge there are no TOU gas tariffs.

I am not sure what to say. Not pairing the gas meter is just plain dumb.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-8850277/Will-smart-gas-meter-suddenly-die-Christmas.html

https://forum.ovoenergy.com/smart-meters-136/why-has-my-smart-gas-meter-battery-failed-after-under-3-years-1905

I must be "plain dumb" as well being as I would not have wanted Smart Gas Meter even if Octopus appointed engineer had been able to get my E S/M connected to Octopus systems on second visit and had mentioned about changing Gas meter to S/M

My Gas meter is outside, Electricity meter is inside under the stairs/inside kitchen cupboard, just wanted that as S/M for accessibility reasons and potential future benefit of cheaper smart meter tariffs

tlcgrantham

Umiamz said:

tlcgrantham said:

I have just checked citizens advice website for flexible octopus gas and the rate quoted is 3.056p kw. and daily charge at 21p. It beats tracker and would be fixed for 1 month.  My region is East Midlands. 

I’m paying 2.88p/kWh on Flexible Octopus in the East Midlands at the moment. Waiting for them to increase it any time, though.

I’m only with Octopus for Electricity on the same tariff as you. It appears that Octopus don’t increase rates to existing  customers as quickly as to new customers. As they have to give you 30 days notice of an increase in tariff, in practice therefore you’re likely to get much longer than a month on a flexible tariff.

[Deleted User]

tlcgrantham said:

Umiamz said:

tlcgrantham said:

I have just checked citizens advice website for flexible octopus gas and the rate quoted is 3.056p kw. and daily charge at 21p. It beats tracker and would be fixed for 1 month.  My region is East Midlands. 

I’m paying 2.88p/kWh on Flexible Octopus in the East Midlands at the moment. Waiting for them to increase it any time, though.

I’m only with Octopus for Electricity on the same tariff as you. It appears that Octopus don’t increase rates to existing  customers as quickly as to new customers. As they have to give you 30 days notice of an increase in tariff, in practice therefore you’re likely to get much longer than a month on a flexible tariff.

All suppliers have to give their customers notice of any change to a tariff that will cost them more. They can’t charge the increased rate to existing customers until the required notice period has elapsed.