Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

dealfinder

I guess the way I've done it is probably best i.e. a spreadsheet with actual unit costs, standing charges and last year's usage along with any additional incentives such as cashbacks.

Out of interest I just tried the change tarriff option with my current supplier and the individual prices that came up for 12 month fixed were different again compared to those on the comparison site but the total was very close.

I think I'll continue with the move to OVO given it's underway and just try and remember to review it at renewal.

Consumerist

dealfinder wrote: »

I think I'll continue with the move to OVO given it's underway and just try and remember to review it at renewal.

With all its failings, the comparison sites will still put your options in the right (cost) order - it's only the "savings" claimed which will almost certainly be incorrect.

If Ovo came out at the top of your list then you will still be getting the cheapest tariff available to you.

Ovo have good customer service so if it's cheapest as well, you shouldn't go too far wrong. I was with them for 4 years and only moved because I couldn't get out of switching mid-winter except by moving. Ironically, as soon as I switched they started to offer a tariff which ended in June. That's life!

dealfinder

Ok, that's reassuring, thanks.

tali

Used MSE to find Sainsburys were cheapest for me .Just aswell my contract is finishing in April 2014 - just a few months away as Sainsburys have hiked my payments up by 117% from what i was paying less than a year a go with eon
Sainsburys energy -there will be an email coming to you requesting a detailed explantion and as to why they can hike up with just 2 weeks notice - and i am out for blood - and don't even think about fobbing me off with "it's because of the price increases" - not by bloody 117%

Consumerist

tali wrote: »

. . Sainsburys have hiked my payments up by 117% from what i was paying less than a year a go with eon . . .

If your account is significantly in debit, the increase may be necessary to get up to date by end of contract.

tali

Consumerist wrote: »

If your account is significantly in debit, the increase may be necessary to get up to date by end of contract.

The initial tariiff was set too low - £42pm for both (less than half what i was paying)-i think MSE need to keep an eye on these low quotes as they simply are not realistic
Anyway ,i contacted Sainburys and my average monthly payment over 11 months works out at £98 p/month
i was paying £90p/month with eon -which would have been £93.33 with their 3.7% increase ?
Sainsburys increased by 9.2% -which brings £90 pm to £98 p/month
So disregarding any increases , in reality Sainsburys were not cheaper but exactly same as Eon from onset

Consumerist

tali wrote: »

So disregarding any increases , in reality Sainsburys were not cheaper but exactly same as Eon from onset

It seems likely that perhaps you joined Sainsburys during winter for a period longer than a year. This means the period of contract was longer than one year and included two winters. In these circumstances your consumption is likely to be more than would be expected over a single year including only one winter.

paul2louise

Sorry if this question is asked again and again. I am currently with scottish power with "Online Fixed Price Energy April 2014 Offer". This means i am only tied in until 31st March. I have done a comparison and like the feedback with OVO. They say the switch takes 4-6 weeks. So my question is, when do a switch. If the switch take place before 31st March then I am liable for penalty. Thanks

Consumerist

paul2louise wrote: »

This means i am only tied in until 31st March. I have done a comparison and like the feedback with OVO. They say the switch takes 4-6 weeks. So my question is, when do a switch. If the switch take place before 31st March then I am liable for penalty. Thanks

Six weeks before the end of your contract you should receive notice that the contract is ending. Once you have received this notice you are free to switch without payment of any early-termination fees.

victor2

paul2louise wrote: »

Sorry if this question is asked again and again. I am currently with scottish power with "Online Fixed Price Energy April 2014 Offer". This means i am only tied in until 31st March. I have done a comparison and like the feedback with OVO. They say the switch takes 4-6 weeks. So my question is, when do a switch. If the switch take place before 31st March then I am liable for penalty. Thanks

If you want to play safe, don't initiate the switch until you are within the "cooling off" period the new supplier gives (usually 10 working days) of the end of your current contract. The new supplier won't do anything until that time has elapsed, so the current supplier won't be informed until after the end of the contract. You'll have about a month on the current supplier's standard rate, but the extra that will cost you is very small compared to the saving you'll hopefully make by switching.