Energy: Find the cheapest supplier & earn cashback

Cherry4

british gas pay as you go. i was just wondering if id be better off switching gas and electric?  moneys a bit bad atm..bit of a struggle

Consumerist

Cherry4 said:

british gas pay as you go. i was just wondering if id be better off switching gas and electric?  moneys a bit bad atm..bit of a struggle

Pay-as you-go sounds like one of the more expensive options available so switching could help lower your costs.

I would suggest you do a whole-of-market comparison and select a monthly direct-debit payment option to spread your energy expenses more evenly throughout the year. This should help you budget more easily.

You could start the ball rolling by going to Citizens Advice energy comparison to see what's available. You'll need your postcode and an estimate of your annual consumption in kWh (use your last years' bills for this info).

If you need help there will be plenty of people on here willing to guide you through.

MalMonroe

I've just switched to Octopus (1 Nov) for both gas and electricity and they will give me £100 in a month's time because I was referred by a friend, who will also receive £100. I chose them primarily because at the time I was looking to switch, they had 100 per cent 5 star reviews. And then of course, £100 bonus.

Most energy firms seem to be much of a muchness, they offer you the world, very low payments, etc. but then they increase direct debits and costs and you end up no better off.

I've decided what I need to pay, based on my past usage and they've accepted my recommendation - it was higher than their suggestion! 

Fingers crossed that I'll be satisfied here, after an awful experience with E.On.

donny-gal

Can you determine the effective date of the change.  The earliest date I can change is 8th December, but interested in Martin's latest offer?

Consumerist

donny-gal said:

Can you determine the effective date of the change.  The earliest date I can change is 8th December, but interested in Martin's latest offer?

In general, all switches should be completed by 15 working days from the date of the switch request.

Hope I have understood your question properly.

donny-gal

Yes thanks perfectly.

JQB_2

Hello
I'd like to post some feedback on So Energy: they calculate direct debit payments far in excess of actual usage. These payments are taken in advance of usage and are an unexpected and unwelcome shock in these times of furlough and reduced salary payments with threat of redundancy always hanging overhead.
I used the MSE site to switch from Bulb to So Energy in November. They took payment for December up front, which was painful because I also had to pay Bulb for electricity used in November. I normally use around £90 of electricity per month during winter months (my property is electricity only no gas). So Energy debited £127.50 on 1 December. I thought it was a one-off amount to safeguard against unexpectedly high usage during December so let it go without comment, expecting So Energy to automatically adjust the next payment based on my smart meter usage. On 29 December they took the meter reading from my smart meter and debited another £127.50. My electricity account is now £163.70 in credit. My bank account is not looking half so healthy!
So Energy direct debit payment accounts default to the Seasonal Plan, where they take more in the winter months and less over the summer months. As per my account online they planned to continue to take £127.50 until April when it would reduce to £76.50/month until October. I tried switching to same-amount-every-month plan, the only option they provide is debit of £102 every month. Intriguing because they provide a graph of your usage across the year and mine never exceeds £91/month.
I have now emailed them asking that they reduce my monthly payment to £80, even this will still leave me with credit for months and I'll have to request a refund.
During these financially difficult times I find it unacceptable that a company would so badly - and possibly deliberately - miscalculate monthly payments made in advance of usage accruing significant unnecessary credit on people's accounts. I've emailed them with a formal complaint to say so and asked them to review and improve their payment calculation system.
So if you do switch to a new provider check if they require payment up front unlike your original provider and make sure their DD calculation is reasonable. These companies do so love to make their accounts hold your credit instead of your own bank account.

Consumerist

JQB_2 said:

. . . I used the MSE site to switch from Bulb to So Energy in November.

Looking at the MSE site recently, I notice a pink/red band on the So Energy entry which reads as follows:

" - Requires one month direct debit payment up front

 - Direct debits vary by season - higher in colder months, lower in warmer months"

It seems you disregarded the advice offered.

gatita

Just thought I would let people know how pleased I am with my energy supplier. The rates are great, I have NO connection with them what so ever by the way!  For me in the southwest it is by far the cheapest  tariff. No exit fee. The name is :AVRO I have been with them for 10 months now.  https://www.avroenergy.co.uk/

CLIVE3121

I rang my suppler today & asked for a better deal which is Boost Energy & was told Boost only do one so are unable to offer me one, they treat customers like dirt, by keep changing the company name. When I joined them under OVO energy is was fine but they quickly changed people on prepayment we were moved to Boost Power we are now Boost energy & to get round the price cap they are going to change there name yet again to BOOST SMART. it seems they don't like there Boost customers & just palm us of with not important