nPower vs Bulb (dual fuel)

fifthofwhisky

I'm on Quarterly DD with nPower (Fixed Online Aug 2018) and just did a price comparison on uSwitch after my DD was increased again for the second time in less than a year. Probably using more electricity but far from extravagant.

With nPower I'm paying 2.528p / kWh and 20.570p standing for gas and 11.00p / kWh and 21.7p standing for electric.

Bulb came up at 2.797p / kWh and 24.56p standing for gas and 12.443p / kWh and 24.56 standing for electric (Varifair tariff).

There is a £30 exit charge per fuel for nPower and Bulb will cover that.

USwitch claims I will save £317.31 per year but I guess that is based on nPower's rates from September (whatever tariff that would be) but can I count on that forecast and actually realizing that saving? I moved from Ovo to nPower for a similar reason at the time when it looked like my annual bill would be nearer to £800 than £1200. Now it's back at around £1200. What is the answer? Keep switching?

AndyPK

Use this site.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

When it comes to it, select the left box:

savings based on WHAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY PAYING

This will not calculate savings based on remaining standard tariff.


you could wait until 49 days before 30 August, and switch anywhere without paying an exit fee. This would be in time for winter.

But if bulb still looks good, switch now

[Deleted User]

Also when you check please use the actual amount of energy in kWh that you used for the past 12 months in the switching site.
Never compare by entering the amount of money you spend.

doubleug

Other issues..
1) If you do actually switch--how comfortable are you that the process will be smooth? I've done it twice and on each occasion it has taken ages with multiple obtuse phone calls both to the old and the new company.
2) You need to know if you are up to date with past (unpaid) usage and take into account accurate meter reads, plus any available credit from existing monthly direct debits. Also--take note that your on line Npower account may not be up to date and could well be displaying historically inaccurate information.
3) Do Bulb have a good reputation for day to day management, accurate billing/meter reading processes and a reliable on line website. Are they a robust company unlikely to "go under"

Smodlet

OP, you are on the same tariff as me. I am very wary of variable tariffs especially when prices in general are on the rise though, if Bulb do not charge exit fees, there is nothing to stop you switching away from them at any time. From 13th July you can switch to any other supplier without incurring exit fees, just fyi.

I think I am going to keep looking but wait to see if a fixed tariff comes along that does not look too bad. I second the point about switching, whatever :money: says. Energy companies seem to delight in making it as difficult as they possibly can purely because they can. Here's hoping nPower pull one out of the bag in time.

Did you know you can switch to another nPower tariff in advance? I did this last year, just told them, "On this date I want to switch to this tariff".

If you find a good, fixed one, please let me know. Thanks.

pooch

fifthofwhisky wrote: »

I'm on Quarterly DD with nPower (Fixed Online Aug 2018) and just did a price comparison on uSwitch after my DD was increased again for the second time in less than a year. Probably using more electricity but far from extravagant.

With nPower I'm paying 2.528p / kWh and 20.570p standing for gas and 11.00p / kWh and 21.7p standing for electric.

Bulb came up at 2.797p / kWh and 24.56p standing for gas and 12.443p / kWh and 24.56 standing for electric (Varifair tariff).

There is a £30 exit charge per fuel for nPower and Bulb will cover that.

USwitch claims I will save £317.31 per year but I guess that is based on nPower's rates from September (whatever tariff that would be) but can I count on that forecast and actually realizing that saving? I moved from Ovo to nPower for a similar reason at the time when it looked like my annual bill would be nearer to £800 than £1200. Now it's back at around £1200. What is the answer? Keep switching?

Why are you even considering moving to what appears to be a more expensive supplier & tariff??? :huh:

There probably are suppliers & tariffs out there that can beat your current tariff, certainly for electric. ... but that may depend on you moving to a pay monthly by DD tariff.

I'm not sure why you are on a pay quartery basis anyway? Most people who do that usually do so because they only want to pay for what they have actually used in that quarter, but your post appears to indicate you are simply paying 1/4 of the anticipated annual cost by DD every 3 months rather than 1/12 of the anticipated annual cost every month.

fifthofwhisky

Thanks all. Reason I was looking to switch was potential saving of £300+. Using the above URL Bulb still shows up as best but now +£15 per year after £40 cash back (exit fees covered) at present consumption levels. However, I need to use more electricity than I am at present so actual unit consumption would go up in future. Guess I'll have to keep looking and keep an eye on deals.

pooch

fifthofwhisky wrote: »

Thanks all. Reason I was looking to switch was potential saving of £300+. Using the above URL Bulb still shows up as best but now +£15 per year after £40 cash back (exit fees covered) at present consumption levels. However, I need to use more electricity than I am at present so actual unit consumption would go up in future. Guess I'll have to keep looking and keep an eye on deals.

How are you going to make a potential saving of £300+ when you would appear to be considering moving to a more expensive supplier/tariff, both in terms of unit charges and standing charges??? :huh:

Or is there a £300+ discount included in the Bulb tariff that you have not informed us about?
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Do follow this advice
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity/
to find the best deals available to you.
Also do consider seperate suppliers, as that can often save you much more than any dual fuel supplier (even with dual fuel discount)

Smodlet

fifthofwhisky wrote: »

Thanks all. Reason I was looking to switch was potential saving of £300+. Using the above URL Bulb still shows up as best but now +£15 per year after £40 cash back (exit fees covered) at present consumption levels. However, I need to use more electricity than I am at present so actual unit consumption would go up in future. Guess I'll have to keep looking and keep an eye on deals.

Fifth, that is an MSE hook-in for those dumb enough to be on any provider's Standard Variable Tariff. They really, really should put the word "potentially" in there, prominently. It does not apply to those of us, like you, who are smart enough to find the best tariff we can for our circumstances.

The whole trouble with this money saving lark is diminishing returns: Once you have done all the price comparisons, found the cheapest energy/insurance/yellow sticker/whatever deals you can, there ain't much left to do other than find ways to boost your income.

Good hunting.

AndyPK

Npower are no longer cheap. Check out eon edf etc.

Smodlet

AndyPK wrote: »

Npower are no longer cheap. Check out eon edf etc.

It depends completely on where you are, a fact so often missed. Neither feature anywhere when I access the CEC, which does not mean they are not cheaper for those in other areas.