Just left home: Switch supplier to Bulb?

Adamc

Hi all

I have just left home and I am trying to work out which energy supplier will be best value for me: this is making my head ache.

Could anyone advise me? I'm currently on British Gas's standard rate (though not tied into a contract from what they have said on the phone and by virtue of the fact previous occupants used them for the energy). I've heard good things about Bulb but I am not sure if I can estimate my energy usage or find the most cost effective supplier for my needs?

It's a 3 bedroom semi which I will share with my partner mainly using enegery in the evenings and at weekends.

Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.

macman

OP, you are in a deemed contract with the existing supplier, and SVT has no exit fees. Just use any comp site with your estimated annual kWh usage and postcode to find the cheapest tariff: there is no universal best-it depends on region and usage.
How is the property heated and hot watered? No one can give you average figures without knowing this.
That exercise should take you no more than two minutes.

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

Robin9

Are you talking of gas and/or electric ?

You just need to estimate your consumption for the year and then use a comparison site - such as the Cheap Energy Club on this site.

and choose from the ones offered.

It's not a precise science.

Importantly read your meters regularly, read and understand your bills.

HampshireH

Bulb didnt work out cheaper for me
I have a 2 bed (2 up 2 down) end terrace with 2 adults living in it.

Our usage is minimal and definitely under the average. I ended up going to another smaller company but i spent a good few hours comparing tariffs.

Obviously you dont know what your usage will be but BG should be able to tell you the average they would expect you to use. You could use this to compare data

Alternatively you can do a search and find then average expected usage for your circumstances.

Adamc

Both heating and hot water via gas combi boiler which is performing well but getting on for over 10 years old.

I'm a bit stuck on working out average consumption as I've usually lived at home or in accommodation with a fixed rent covering all costs.

Robin9

Use 3000kwh for Elec; 10000 kwh for gas.

The comparison site will ask for your existing tariff - use any at random it makes no difference as all you want to know is what it might cost. The DD it comes up up with is an educated guess and not cast in stone.

Switch today. Take photo's of the meter.

Read your meter every month and give it to your supplier, also keep your own records.

Always use kwh when switching never £ or rooms

Adamc

It it safe to go with the cheapest option (for me a company called Outfox the Market) or should I be cautious and go for a more well-know brand with better rated customer service?

Skools_Out

Adamc wrote: »

Hi all

I have just left home and I am trying to work out which energy supplier will be best value for me: this is making my head ache.

Could anyone advise me?

Read this:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

Adamc wrote: »

I've heard good things about Bulb but...

Well the spammers are not going to post bad things in their attempts to sign you up, are they? :cool:
Remember, Bulb only offer a variable tariff, and have already indicated their third price rise this year will take effect in November (so those increased prices will not currently be shown by any comparison site)

simbiant

Hi there.

I have just moved from SSE to Bulb. My 3 year deal was coming to an end and SSE wanted me to pay £122 a year (combined gas and leccy). This was frankly more than I can afford, so I have done a lot of research and decided on Bulb (nearly chose OVO but didn't like some of their reviews). I must admit I am nervous about moving, but I am paying £89.79 a month with Bulb combined based on my highest ever yearly Kwh readings (20598 gas, 2683 leccy) from the last 12 months due to the awful winter. We are in a 3 bed semi and like you use energy mostly on Evenings and Weekends. I took a punt because normally I would never move to a small supplier but having no get out fee means I am not trapped. I am going to overpay a little until I figure out how economical the move has been then tweak my payments after a few months.

Yes - Bulb have only one variable tariff, (less confusing) but for me at least, it is miles cheaper than SSE. If it ever creeps up with Bulb to the point of reaching SSE prices I could move to a fixed long term deal elsewhere, but it would have to increase by a huge amount to have the variable rate cause a problem.

One immediate plus is that bulb give you £50 credit for signing up. You then get given a referral which you can post on Facebook, Twitter or wherever and then you get more credit too when people use your link. Shameless marketing by Bulb? Maybe, but credit is credit. Will it be a good decision moving? If I save £400 a year yes.

Good luck and best wishes with your decision.

zorgan

QUOTED FROM THE BULB WEBSITE

"Important note: Energy costs are going up at the moment, so there's a chance we may have to increase prices this winter. If this happens, we'll give you 60 days notice and you can leave at any time with no exit fees.

Looks to me on variable then and before winter hiking up their tariff hoping to hold on to customers willing to pay more."

I think i`ll give it a miss

PixelPound

Skools_Out wrote: »

Well the spammers are not going to post bad things in their attempts to sign you up, are they? :cool:
Remember, Bulb only offer a variable tariff, and have already indicated their third price rise this year will take effect in November (so those increased prices will not currently be shown by any comparison site)

I like how you post this and then one pops up with their very first post :rotfl:

OP you could go with one with no exit fees, either variable or fixed, monitor use each month to use for your own future estimates.

If bulb are showing cheapest, you could go with them and then check again at the next price rise (november). It depends how often you are willing to switch and monitor use.

As to customer service, it really depends how often you use it. Since most providers have online portals you may never need to contact customer services. Think I've done so twice in the last 5 years and only for a point of clarification. Are you someone who applies common sense or someone who panics and will call if something instantly doesn't happen.