Utilita - Cheap Energy Club

juno-eclipse

Hey guys,

My friend moved into a housing association home a few months ago, they had cut the gas and electric off and said they would put them back on the day she moved in, but when they came they installed 2 Utilita smart prepayment meteres which she isn't really happy with, there doesn't seem to be an online account and she has only received 2 letters with payment cards, so I have 2 questions, does anyone know if she's in a 12 month contract?

And I've tried signing her up to the cheap energy club but Utilita isnt listed? Can anyone help?

Many thanks
Juno

molerat

She will not be in a fixed contract. Other comparison sites do have them listed.

MSE_Dan_L

Hi Juno-eclipse

I'm afraid that due Utilita's unusual tariff structure, we're not currently able to calculate the costs of its tariffs on Cheap Energy Club.

Utilita has a tiered unit rate structure where you pay different unit rates according to how much energy you consume. This is extremely uncommon and unfortunately the pricing calculations which MoneySuperMarket provide to us to power Cheap Energy Club can't currently support this.

Its development team have this on its to-do list, so hopefully we'll be able to relist Utilita in the coming months.

For now, you may wish to use one of Ofgem's accredited comparison sites.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/how-switch-energy-supplier-and-shop-better-deal/compare-gas-and-electricity-tariffs-ofgem-accredited-price-comparison-sites

footyguy

I think another issue with many Utilta customers, is that their pre-payment meters are unique to Utilita, so you may find difficulty in switching to another supplier as you won't then be able to top up with that new supplier.

Ensure you have a compatible PPM meter before atttempting to switch to another supplier.

juno-eclipse

Thanks for your quick a detaild replies, what would happen if she switched to a supplier that wasn't compatible with her current meters, would a new supplier fit new ones?

Are new smart meters universal as I'm considering a NON prepayment smart meter myself but not if I'm going to be locked into a limited group of suppliers eek

Thank you again
Juno

House_Martin

juno-eclipse wrote: »

Thanks for your quick a detaild replies, what would happen if she switched to a supplier that wasn't compatible with her current meters, would a new supplier fit new ones?

Are new smart meters universal as I'm considering a NON prepayment smart meter myself but not if I'm going to be locked into a limited group of suppliers eek

Thank you again
Juno

There are few other suppliers now who can stand Secure Liberty meters in prepayment meter mode..
Ovo could probably use it without a meter switch in prepay mode..
Eon now use them.First Utility is another who are electing to go for the "value for money " nasty cheap meters from Secure.
I know that BG, Scot Power, EDF cannot use these meters in prepayment meter mode but they are usable as a credit meter and do not need a meter excahnge .
You could make sure that Utilita switch the meter to credit meter mode then you can avail yourself of the best you can find in the market on a one year fix which can save you a few hundred a year . you may have to pay by direct debit monthly or quarterly to get the best rates.
Check on Uswitch or the Cheap Energy Clubs comp site but make sure you get an accurate yearly consumption in kwh s before going on a comp site.
I m a meter reader for many suppliers and see these meters in credit mode being used quite often nowadays with BG, scot power, edf and other smaller suppliers like Spark energy.

footyguy

juno-eclipse wrote: »

Thanks for your quick a detaild replies, what would happen if she switched to a supplier that wasn't compatible with her current meters, would a new supplier fit new ones?...

Why would she even consider doing that?

Hopefully, the new supplier will not accept the switch request. Because when the existing credit runs out, so does the gas & electricity :eek:

juno-eclipse

footyguy wrote: »

Why would she even consider doing that?

Hopefully, the new supplier will not accept the switch request. Because when the existing credit runs out, so does the gas & electricity :eek:

Because if these Secure Liberty meteres are so unpopular and it's restricting her getting a better deal with broader range of companies I thought that may be an easy way of getting a better meter also?

Thanks
Juno