Switching away from British Gas with Smartmeter

kaintxu

I was thinking of changin from EDF to Bulb as the cheapest tariff with EDF is 30% up from my last year's one. But today I came across the Energy Plus Protection Green May 2020 which is even cheaper than Bulb (though no £50 welcome voucher)

Is BG worth changing to or are they a pain? Any reason not to take this tariff that seems one of the cheapest ones?

Roy1234

Benight wrote: »

As I indicated way back in post#3, there's a saving of £300 pa available (allegedly) from BG just by transferring tariff - but you won't find that cheaper tariff on their website. :money:

OK thanks, I will look at it. Kind of surprised they offer anything that competitive but she's within the period (last 42 days?) you can exit early without penalty so if it all checks out OK, it's worth sticking with BG until perhaps the whole Smartmeter swap issue has perhaps been cleared up in a year's time. Optimistic, I realise.

Benight

kaintxu wrote: »

I was thinking of changin from EDF to Bulb as the cheapest tariff with EDF is 30% up from my last year's one. But today I came across the Energy Plus Protection Green May 2020 which is even cheaper than Bulb (though no £50 welcome voucher)

Is BG worth changing to or are they a pain? Any reason not to take this tariff that seems one of the cheapest ones?

You'll get £25 cashback from the CEC for a dual fuel switch to this BG tariff.

You won't go far wrong by sticking with a Big 6 supplier

kaintxu

Benight wrote: »

You'll get £25 cashback from the CEC for a dual fuel switch to this BG tariff.

You won't go far wrong by sticking with a Big 6 supplier

Thanks for the CEC tip, just registered with them.

I always thought about sticking with the Big 6, but Bulb seems to be getting amazing reviews, but being variable, I'm not sure how high they could suddenly Spike and that's why I'm having some doubts.

Could BG bringing out such a cheap tariff mean that all other providers might do similarly?

Benight

kaintxu wrote: »

..., but Bulb seems to be getting amazing reviews, ...

From the spammers?:cool:

As MSE Martin has allegedly said about another supplier who has operated similar tactics:

"This tends to mean it does well on feedback charts, as customers have a vested interest, and many of them are evangelical about the firm – and sometimes over claim."

Benight

Note that this BG offer is a fixed tariff. If you are happy with the price, then go for it in the surety that price will not change until May 2020.

If you want to take the risk of prices moving, then choose a variable tariff. Note that prices can go up as well as down. I'f I knew which way energy prices were to go in the next 12 months, I wouldn't have to wait until next year to become a millionaire.

Note that Bulb Energy are already over £26million in debt, and their investors will be looking for that to be reversed in due course I'm sure. (and you'll be paying more from the start in any event!)

[Deleted User]

@kaintxu
The British Gas tariff is to try and get new customers so has to be cheap to attract people.
All the suppliers try this occasionally especially if they have had a few bad months and need to replace customers. BG has had a few bad years in that respect as the normally high prices have seen people eventually leave. Thanks in part to Martin Lewis TV crusade.

The reason it works for BG (and the others) is that most people may switch once and then just stay after the cheap tariff ends. There is a tendency to not switch to the best deal especially if the first switch is stressful. The motto "Better the devil you know" is followed by the majority of energy users.

kaintxu

gsmlnx wrote: »

@kaintxu
The British Gas tariff is to try and get new customers so has to be cheap to attract people.
All the suppliers try this occasionally especially if they have had a few bad months and need to replace customers. BG has had a few bad years in that respect as the normally high prices have seen people eventually leave. Thanks in part to Martin Lewis TV crusade.

The reason it works for BG (and the others) is that most people may switch once and then just stay after the cheap tariff ends. There is a tendency to not switch to the best deal especially if the first switch is stressful. The motto "Better the devil you know" is followed by the majority of energy users.

I don't mind switching, especially if my provider is going to up my bill 30%. I had some issues with EDF 2 years ago when I bought my flat, but after a few angry calls I got a £60 vouchers. I'll change to BG for the saving and set an alarm in my clock to cancel the insurance in 1 year as I don't want to pay the extra £12 after that

Also, I recently got a smart meter installed by EDF. Will this one work or will BG have to come and install a new one?

Cheers

[Deleted User]

kaintxu wrote: »

Also, I recently got a smart meter installed by EDF. Will this one work or will BG have to come and install a new one?

No way of 100% knowing that answer until after you switch. If the meter doesn't retain its smarts then BG will probably install one of their own.

Smart_Energy_GB

Hi Roy1234,

Many people with a first-generation smart meter retain some or all of their smart function when they switch suppliers. At this point in the rollout you may find that if you switch supplier your smart meter could temporarily lose smart function, and you may need to send in your meter readings in order to get an accurate bill (just as you would with traditional meters).

If your meter loses smart functionality this can be frustrating, but this is a temporary situation. First-generation smart meters which have already been installed will soon be enrolled into the new secure smart data network 'over the air' without needing a visit from an installer. This process is due to start in summer of this year, and is due to be completed by the end of the rollout. These smart meters will then be able to deliver all the benefits of smart, with any supplier.