NPower to Iresa

Raxiel

AndyPK wrote: »

As I would like to keep some business with NPower and as I don't wish to read my Gas meter monthly I'm happy to pay the extra £30 to stay with NPower.

Just out of interest, is that because Npower are happy to wait longer before submitted readings, they send their own readers, or because its a Smart meter?

I only ask because, if it's a Smart meter, it probably won't remain smart if the electricity is changed, since Smart gas meters (to the best of my knowledge) use the electric meter as a hub to forward the readings on to the supplier, so it'll still have to be read. Its possible there is a make out there that communicates directly but I've not heard of it.

If it's not Smart then ignore me.

AndyPK

I have no smart meters.

IRESA can't make use of them AFAIK

I used to read the meters quarterly as requested by NPwr. I paid quarterly.

Ironically selecting monthly elec DD tariffs revealed cheaper tariffs than quarterly. I selected IRESA. A downside is I have to read the meter monthly. They have no app. etc.

I will however be paying slightly less than I have over the past 3 years which I consider a result.

A wish I had such a success story with my gas, but that is more damage limitation! The intention was probably to move that over to Iresa in April, however the Npower tarriff is competitive.

AndyPK

Gone onto the standard tariff today

AndyPK

1 hour 20 mins in a que to iresa :whistle: Then they just hung up :wall:

Maybe its their closing time. Yeap they are closed.


Probably not the provider for those with busy lives!

phillw

AndyPK wrote: »

The NPower Gas tariff is very competitive. It will only cost me £30 a year more when compared to IRESA. As I would like to keep some business with NPower and as I don't wish to read my Gas meter monthly I'm happy to pay the extra £30 to stay with NPower.

You do realise this is money saving expert?
Why do you want to keep business with npower?
How hard is it to read your gas meter?

I have no idea how important it is to provide monthly meter readings with iresa. They reserve the right to charge you for sending someone to read the meter and put you on their standard rate.


5.3 We can require meter readings before we start supplying you. You are also required to provide us with monthly meter readings on your online account throughout the period we supply you if you do not have a smart meter installed and are paying by Direct Debit.

5.4 If you don’t give us meter readings on your online account you agree to allow us (or someone we appoint) access to read your meter(s), and we may charge you the reasonable costs incurred doing this (which we will tell you about in advance). If you fail to provide us with meter readings on your online account in more than two consecutive months during the contract then you may be moved onto our standard variable tariff.

5.5 If we do not have actual meter readings (including if smart functionality is not working on a smart meter at any given time) for any period in which we supply you, or we reasonably believe that a meter reading we have is not accurate, we will estimate your energy usage for billing purposes. Our estimate will be produced using information we have about the energy used at the property, previous meter readings, and the characteristics of your energy use which may take into account adjustments to reflect seasonal changes in use.


But it's more likely they'll just estimate your bill and keep you on the fixed tariff, because otherwise they'll lose all the customers they are trying to get.

AndyPK wrote: »

Ironically selecting monthly elec DD tariffs revealed cheaper tariffs than quarterly.

That isn't ironic, that is well known industry practice.

System

AndyPK wrote: »

I have no smart meters.

IRESA can't make use of them AFAIK

.

It's a bit unfair say that Iresa can't make use of smart meters. Smart meters, at the moment, talk to the supplier that installed them - with some exceptions. From later on this year, smart meters will take to a central hub - The Data Communications Company.

Most of the smaller suppliers are waiting until the new generation of smart meters have any bugs sorted out before they 'buy in' to the programme which they will be required to do. Iresa will accept customers with smart meters; however, the householder will just have to read them as was the case in the 'good old days'. Reading a meter once a month is hardly a big task.

AndyPK

nPower_company_representative wrote: »

Hi AndyPK,

Thanks for your post. Sorry that you have experienced difficulties in changing supply.

I can certainly take a closer look at this for you, if you would like to send me an email using the address from my profile with your account details.

Thanks

Phil

Complaint registered with NPower, as nothing appears to happen when you follow the above request.

I recall nothing happened last time.

phillw wrote: »

You do realise this is money saving expert?
Why do you want to keep business with npower?
How hard is it to read your gas meter?

Yes I know this is MSE. I assume you mean I should take the cheapest option? Well I have tried that for electricity by choosing a small company. I have spend over an hour on the phone (in queue) trying to speak to them (not a free phone number) and not managed it yet. This isn't a very good start! So cheapest isn't always best! They have already taken money from me (payment in advance with them) so I can see I could well end up being out of pocket!

It's slightly harder to read my gas meter as it's in the ground and where I park my car. Not impossible with organisation but I'm use to quarterly reads.