How to get new I HD and check cheaper suppliers

crazyshady

I've switched a few times in the last few years. I got my smart meters with Utilita and then went to Avid Energy who then got taken over by Nabuh Energy which is who I am currently with. The issues I am having is shortly after Nabuh took over my IHD stopped working which they won't fix as it is supplied by Utilita and charge £40 for a new one. I'm at least 40 minutes on the phone just trying to get an answer and their app does not give any readings so it's awkward trying to get a reading from my gas meter because of the way it's been installed and also many times I've topped up via the app and no payment was provided. Today I topped up by £5 and when I left it had not been applied so when I finish work that's another 40 minute phone call.

Avid was a great supplier but for a small 2 bedroom house with only me in it what should I be looking for? I have never had a paper bill from Nabuh so can't get any info. I think my electricity was always around £10 per week which I thought was good but obviously I want to get the best deal. Would any other supplier provide me with a new IHD for no charge? I've no idea what tarriff I'm on either. Gas is obviously very cheap just now but I want a good deal for that too.

Any advice?

Floretti

crazyshady wrote: »

I've switched a few times in the last few years. I got my smart meters with Utilita and then went to Avid Energy who then got taken over by Nabuh Energy which is who I am currently with. The issues I am having is shortly after Nabuh took over my IHD stopped working which they won't fix as it is supplied by Utilita and charge £40 for a new one. I'm at least 40 minutes on the phone just trying to get an answer and their app does not give any readings so it's awkward trying to get a reading from my gas meter because of the way it's been installed and also many times I've topped up via the app and no payment was provided. Today I topped up by £5 and when I left it had not been applied so when I finish work that's another 40 minute phone call.

Avid was a great supplier but for a small 2 bedroom house with only me in it what should I be looking for? I have never had a paper bill from Nabuh so can't get any info. I think my electricity was always around £10 per week which I thought was good but obviously I want to get the best deal. Would any other supplier provide me with a new IHD for no charge? I've no idea what tarriff I'm on either. Gas is obviously very cheap just now but I want a good deal for that too.

Any advice?

If you don't want to hang on the phone, you can conatct them via email or social media.
Or indeed write them a letter.

They also have an online chat facility, but that only operates Mon-Fri.

Perhaps consider having the meter moved to a more accessible location for you? A charge may apply.

I don't think anyone other than Utilita will be able to provide you a new IHD, but you could ask.

[Deleted User]

Floretti wrote: »

If you don't want to hang on the phone, you can conatct them via email or social media.
Or indeed write them a letter.

They also have an online chat facility, but that only operates Mon-Fri.

Perhaps consider having the meter moved to a more accessible location for you? A charge may apply.

I don't think anyone other than Utilita will be able to provide you a new IHD, but you could ask.

But will any supplier supply a new IHD free when the original go s faulty, as it surely will one day ?. The IHD replacement will probably need an "engineer "/meter reader to come out to replace to "pair up " the new IHD with the meter electronically..
I used to do sim card replacements when I worked for G4S meter reading and I suppose they charged the supplier a certain amount such as £30 a visit at a guess at least.
If someone has a working smart meter the supplier s "app "will be much more convenient to use than an IHD for prepayment top ups etc.
Bulb are only slightly pricier than Nabahs on prepay rates but as yet they do not appear to be installing smart meters even though its about time they did.. They would most probably be using the exact same "value for money " smart meter as Utilitas Secure Liberty 100 meters..Maybe they are about to start very soon. They do pay £50 to new customers via customer referral fees

crazyshady

I had someone come to my house from MoneyEspert today to do comparisons on Energy Suppliers and they told me that Spark Energy were a good supplier and the rates were better.

This bit on the email I was sent worries me however.

EXISTING ANNUAL SPEND: £1,440.00
NEW ESTIMATED ANNUAL BILL: £1,638.38


But I did say that I do not spend or use my gas much at all. £10 a week on electricity and not as much on gas. They have also requested a free smart meter upgrade. Are Spark Energy quite good? There is no charge for an exit fee and I do have a 14 day cooling off period. No email yet and obviously no letter till next week so I can't set up an account on the app yet but I am hoping they are better than Nabuh. It is on the Get Swift tariff. Can anyone comment?

Robin9

As you've switched several times over the last few years you will know what your annual consumption is in kwh. What is it ?

Do you own comparisons and look at the full market.

Talking in terms of £10 a week and less than £10 a week is dangerous territory when doing comparisons.

crazyshady

I have no idea what that is in kwh.

I haven't done any comparisons.

How would I find out what that is in kwh?

Robin9

crazyshady wrote: »

I have no idea what that is in kwh.

I haven't done any comparisons.................

But you say you switched several times over the years - how did you do do that if you didn't use a comparison site ?


To find your consumption look at a couple of bills about 12 months apart and look for the meter readings. For elec you subtract the oldest from the newest and for gas do the same but multiply the answer by 11.

crazyshady

I was a carer for my Father previously and it was all in my Father's name. I think it was literally a case of him trying different companies to see what ones he liked. I've recently taken over the property, it was with Avid, which were fine, I was happy with those prices, they then got taken over by Nabuh and the IHD stopped working etc so I have no actual bills here showing any of those details. Nabuh was changed to my name but I haven't received any paper bill from them.

Is there anything I can check on my meter just now?

Robin9

Can you read your meters - with gas you should have something like 02345.678 and your reading is 02345; elec something like 12345.6 and your reading is 12345

You also need your fathers bill of about a year ago - it doesn't matter who the supplier was as long as the reading has a letter A (for ACTUAL) against it.

What I can't understand is why you are even considering a tariff from Spark which they say will cost you over £1600 when your bills are less than £1000


Sorry for any confusion but you were saying "I've switched" but it was actually your father

crazyshady

I should have cleared that up. There is no paperwork at all. The only paperwork is a welcome letter from Nabuh.


Are there any specific things I should look for on the meters? I have tried and this is what I have came up.

Electric - IMP KWH then 5542.411

Gas - Volume 402 IMP KWH 5053


Is that what I should be looking for? There are more numbers and letters but don't know what I should be looking for. Under electric it says £54. Does that mean what I use roughly per month?


Can Spark change my tariff if I ask them?

Robin9

But why do you want to change to Spark when even by their figures say they will cost £200 more than you are paying now (but where on earth did they get that from)

When did the Utilita Smart meters get installed ?


I'm a bit old school - don't use smart phone apps so can't comment on that aspect. I also put the IHD toy in the back of a drawer within a week of getting. I read my meters at least monthly.

New Smart meters will start at 0000.000 ie since then you have used 5542 kwh . I'm not sure what you were paying per unit but at say 15p that's about £850.

The gas detail is confusing as they don't read in kwh but if the volume is 402 m3 thats 4500 kwh and at say 3p thats £135.