Symbio Energy feedback

Talldave

rp1974 said:

MWT said:

rp1974 said:

Hi,just got a renewal quote from Symbio,checking through my bills since September 2019 till now.Slightly concerned that not one of them has an A for an accurate reading.I submit readings on the last day of the month only ever have a bill with a C-customer read or an E-estimated read.Is this normal or can I find someway to get an accurate read on the bill?.New to this,apologies in advance if being a bit thick.Longtime lurker and such great advice here.

A usual means 'Actual' and you will only get that if a meter reader has physically been round to read the meter.

As long as you submit the meter readings and see the 'C' and your reading on the bill all is good.

It is only when you don't submit a reading and you get the 'E' for estimated that things can start to go wrong, so make sure you do get those meter readings in on time and check that your monthly payments are keeping pace with your energy costs and that you are not building up an unpaid balance.

Thanks,appreciate the advice.Considering leaving Symbio rather than renewal in September.Renewal has a standing change of 24.94p per day currently pay 14.25p,not likely to renew.I do find Symbios billing systems somewhat amusing in a weird way.

It really depends on your consumption.  You've got to be using approximately 3000kWh or more per year for Symbio to come to the top of the comparison table.

matelodave

I've had a renewal reminder and their quote isn't everso go but a trawl through their website shows that thye still have some very cheap tariffs (even though the standing charge has gone up). I presently pay 12p/kwh with an s/c of 15p but they have a tariffif which is about 11p with an s/c of 24p, so although the s/c will cost me £32.85 a year more the reduction in the kwh price on my 7200kwh is £72 - a net saving of £40 
I can live with their random billing structure to save another £40

rp1974

I average 2300 a year and have done over the past ten years so my consumption is fairly predictable and static.Prefer fixed price contracts but aware that its swings and roundabouts.Current unit cost is 11.12p fairly decent,just irked at the proposed 10.69 per day standing charge hike,smacks of desperation,much like Symbios inability to divide EAC by 12 for example.Totally understand my bills are small beer in the scheme of things its the principle though.

Swipe

The trend for many suppliers over the last 12 months has been to increase their daily standing charge, so they are not alone in this dodgy practice

Talldave

The magnitude of the standing charge is irrelevant.  All that matters is the total cost of buying my electricity, which for the next 12 months with Symbio is probably going to cost less than the previous 12 months with Symbio.  As always, comparison sites will find the cheapest deal.

MWT

Swipe said:

The trend for many suppliers over the last 12 months has been to increase their daily standing charge, so they are not alone in this dodgy practice

I wouldn't agree that it is inherently 'dodgy' to increase standing charges.

Every business has fixed and variable costs and adjusting the standing charge to more equitably spread the fixed costs across the customer base isn't necessarily wrong.

The regulator is certainly watching this trend as it does disproportionately impact low energy users more, but as long as the level of standing charges can be justified I don''t think there is likely to be meaningful regulation in this area as it is a natural consequence of encouraging everyone to reduce their energy consumption, so there is less profit from the variable kWh charges to cover the fixed costs...

HonestJohn

For me, Neon Reef is now cheaper with their variable rate tariff which has no exit charges. Doubt if they will double their standing charge or they will lose a lot of customers overnight.

Swipe

Scores on the doors for July

Symbio estimate: 216 units

Actual usage: 123 units

carpy

Wednesday was my last day with Symbio....
As of yesterday I'm with OTM.
We'll see how long it takes Symbio to finalise my account and refund my credit balance!!

CRISPIANNE3

Estimate 352 actual 338. Great improvement on their former estimates. We live in a four bedroom Victorian house so very pleased with my usage.