Octopus Energy reviews: Give your feedback

Telegraph_Sam

Thinking aloud I don't believe that my meter has separate RO1, RO2 etc registers.  I was under the impression that the clever stuff (allocating the relevant rates to the corresponding [Go Faster] time slot) was done by the Octopus supercomputer and not farmed out to a whole variety of different customers' meters.  May be more goes on than meets the eye

masonic

While I do see two registers on my meter's display cycle, I believe one is export and has not budged from zero from the time the meter was installed. My MPAN is set to profile class 2 (previously I had an E7 dumb meter installed).

MWT

With 'Go' there isn't just one answer, it can be implemented as dual register just like E7, or just using one register and the half-hour data.

When I was on 'Go' I actually had both versions at different times.

QrizB

For the first time in months, the unit rates on Octopus Tracker are cheaper than Flexible. The gas price markedly so; it hasn't been this cheap on Tracker since July last year! Electricity hasn't been this cheap since the start of January.

I suspect it's somehow due to the Bank Holiday weekend, and am not expecting it to last.

tlcgrantham

I saw it too and thought it must be a mistake. Very pleased though as I switched to tracker v2 yesterday.

bristolleedsfan

On the subject of Octopus tracker they give quote based on AFAIK average rate of previous 12 months
When I signed up to it a few weeks ago -
Electricity quote was     

Unit price

25.32p per kWh

 972 kWh

Despite having always been in credit yesterday I was sent a payments review email which I relayed the following

35% ish reduction in estimated usage cannot possibly = 20%ish increase in estimated cost

Your initial estimate Electricity: £297.56
That's 30.00p x 1,500 kWh + 16.88p x 365 days

Our latest estimate Electricity: £353.42
That's 30.00p x 972 kWh + 16.88p x 365 days

I have changed payment back to what it was as not only am I fully capable of making additional payments in order to remain in credit, the only reason I am not paying by variable direct debit ( full payment after bill is issued) is that it suits me to have a direct debit coming out of my bank account monthly

Something you did not consider, based on my smart meter recorded usage since 7 March how long do you think my credit balance +monthly  £2 monthly direct debit credit will last ???

tlcgrantham

I should have said I switched to Gas Tracker v2 but am still on Go Faster 5hrs @ 5.5pkwh and 15.33pkwh day electricity until July 1st. My intention was to use Electricity for heat and hot water when Gas prices are high. 

SJMALBA

Pls excuse my ignorance, but how does the Octopus Tracker work in practice? It doesn't seem to be a smart tariff, so how are the bills actually calculated?

As things stand, for me at least (using much more gas than electricity) it looks very attractive, though current prices probably a temporary blip?

How often do they change, or is that a 'how long is a piece of sting' type question? I thought it would be daily, but earlier in the year, they seemed static over a period (unless I was looking at the wrong tariff?)?

Can you switch back to SVT if prices rise dramatically?

FWIW, I currently pay monthly variable DD.

masonic

SJMALBA said:

Pls excuse my ignorance, but how does the Octopus Tracker work in practice? It doesn't seem to be a smart tariff, so how are the bills actually calculated?

As things stand, for me at least (using much more gas than electricity) it looks very attractive, though current prices probably a temporary blip?

How often do they change, or is that a 'how long is a piece of sting' type question? I thought it would be daily, but earlier in the year, they seemed static over a period (unless I was looking at the wrong tariff?)?

Can you switch back to SVT if prices rise dramatically?

FWIW, I currently pay monthly variable DD.

In practice, if you don't have a smart meter, you'd need to give very regular meter readings to be billed accurately. Otherwise, each day's usage would be estimated based on the readings you do provide. There would be nothing stopping you giving a reading every day. The prices do change daily, but previously they were consistently above the 30p/6p cap that was in place at that time. The cap has now been raised, so you will see daily variability again. It is possible to switch tariffs at any time, but for the reasons above, it wouldn't be sensible to do so based on a cap that is no longer in place or the prices over the Easter weekend.

QrizB

SJMALBA said:

How often do they change, or is that a 'how long is a piece of sting' type question? I thought it would be daily, but earlier in the year, they seemed static over a period (unless I was looking at the wrong tariff?)?

You can see the daily *uncapped* prices for each region here:

https://energy.guylipman.com/sm/gastracker
https://energy.guylipman.com/sm/electracker

The gas cap was 6p/kWh but is now 11p, and the electricity cap was 30p but is now 40p.