Energy Suppliers

[ronk]

Its the end of my current energy contract and I have to admit to being lazy in the past and not changing but now I'm a man on a mission!

Is it best to buy Gas and Electric from one supplier to Gas from one and Electric from another - The comparison web sites are sending me bonkers - are the savings worth all the hassle ?

 

[BeeEmm]

I decided to switch both to one supplier (British Gas). My combined bills are cheaper and I was also tempted by some good offers. I got 10 days free gas a year and three days a year free electricity, plus various other smaller offers that keep coming.

 

[Mr Tidy]

If you on a mission I wouldn't worry about having them from different suppliers if that is cheaper!

Last time I switched it just happened that both were estimated to be cheaper with the same supplier, so I went with that.

It's getting to be like insurance or breakdown cover - change every year because they all try to jack the prices up. Shame there isn't an option for Road Tax!

 

[Marlon]

Let these guys do all the work:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45244761

Now a company:
https://lookaftermybills.com/?marketing_source=google_ad&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj5iEtq774QIVk-J3Ch1FagCgEAAYASAAEgKSDPD_BwE

 

[Smartbear]

Let these guys do all the work:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45244761

Now a company:
https://lookaftermybills.com/?marketing_source=google_ad&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj5iEtq774QIVk-J3Ch1FagCgEAAYASAAEgKSDPD_BwE

I’m with the look after my bills guys, if you recommend a new customer you both get £20 as a thank you.
Takes all the hassle out of looking for a new deal each year, it all helps now I’m an impoverished pensioner
Rob

 

[saj77]

Ive just used that website - it came up with UTILITY POINT being the best value provider for me.

Never heard of them but they seem to get good reviews online - anyone on here use them?

 

[TitanTim]

I'm with British Gas on their duel fuel fixed tariff as I have loads a money only reason I haven't changed is I have their smart meter as well which I understand won't work with other suppliers, i don't think it will send meter readings etc, although this should be changing I think.

Tim.

 

[srhutch]

I'm with British Gas on their duel fuel fixed tariff as I have loads a money only reason I haven't changed is I have their smart meter as well which I understand won't work with other suppliers, i don't think it will send meter readings etc, although this should be changing I think.

Tim.

Nothing smart about these meters. I've got one and it doesn't work as I switched supplier. I just give the readings, rather than paying more than I need to.

 

[ronk]

Nothing smart about these meters. I've got one and it doesn't work as I switched supplier. I just give the readings, rather than paying more than I need to.

My potential change will require another change of smart meter.
The installing techie said their real purpose was to detect energy theft!

 

[Smartbear]

I'm with British Gas on their duel fuel fixed tariff as I have loads a money only reason I haven't changed is I have their smart meter as well which I understand won't work with other suppliers, i don't think it will send meter readings etc, although this should be changing I think.

Tim.

Nothing smart about these meters. I've got one and it doesn't work as I switched supplier. I just give the readings, rather than paying more than I need to.

You need the generation 2 smart meters as they’re portable between different suppliers, got mine fitted today

Rob

 

[Z4hid]

I switched to Bulb. Found the customer service really good and nice touches eg I was waiting on the phone for more than 10minutes (I didn’t particularly mind) and got an email randomly to say they were reviewing their customer service and apologised for the wait and credited £10 to my account.

Recomendations with the below link give £50 to both parties

http://bulb.co.uk/refer/zahids6510?utm_campaign=account-referral-share&utm_medium=copy-link&utm_source=copy-button

 

[Lance]

Just changed over myself, using USwitch. Gone over to Shell Energy dual fuel tariff, should be about £140 less a year. Very easy process and no hassle at all.

 

[ronk]

i would also like to keep my energy monitor (like Mr Smartbear has)

 

[Mr Tidy]

I nearly had Smart meters fitted last year, but the guy who turned up to do it explained to me that if I changed supplier again I'd need new Smart meters as each supplier used their own and they weren't compatible. However he also said that by the end of last year they would be using meters that were compatible with all the suppliers.

So I told him not to bother, but I ought to get them fitted now.

So ronk I assume if you change now you'll need new meters, but should get one like Smartbear's.

 

[ben g]

Never understood why people want smart meters installed. Are you really that busy/lazy that you can't look at your meters once a month?

Mine are on the side of my house. I go outside, open the doors and take photos of the screens. I then input the units on my energy suppliers app. Takes about 2 minutes to do the whole lot.

I used to have a smart meter years ago, back when they weren't transferable between suppliers. All I did was turn stuff on to see how much electric I was wasting :lol: pathetic really.

I recently switched to scottish power, only because they said they could lower my bills. I will be using the look after my bills and uswitch websites next time though, as scottish power seem to get a kick out of ringing me constantly, trying to sell me crap I don't want e.g. boiler cover. If it breaks, I'll replace it. No big deal. I don't need insurance for everything in life!!!!!!

 

[Smartbear]

Never understood why people want smart meters installed. Are you really that busy/lazy that you can't look at your meters once a month?

Mine are on the side of my house. I go outside, open the doors and take photos of the screens. I then input the units on my energy suppliers app. Takes about 2 minutes to do the whole lot.

I used to have a smart meter years ago, back when they weren't transferable between suppliers. All I did was turn stuff on to see how much electric I was wasting :lol: pathetic really.

With that attitude I’m surprised you haven’t campaigned to bring back starting handles Ben? :wink:
Rob

 

[Nictrix]

Never understood why people want smart meters installed. Are you really that busy/lazy that you can't look at your meters once a month?

Mine are on the side of my house. I go outside, open the doors and take photos of the screens. I then input the units on my energy suppliers app. Takes about 2 minutes to do the whole lot.

I used to have a smart meter years ago, back when they weren't transferable between suppliers. All I did was turn stuff on to see how much electric I was wasting :lol: pathetic really.

I recently switched to scottish power, only because they said they could lower my bills. I will be using the look after my bills and uswitch websites next time though, as scottish power seem to get a kick out of ringing me constantly, trying to sell me crap I don't want e.g. boiler cover. If it breaks, I'll replace it. No big deal. I don't need insurance for everything in life!!!!!!

I do exactly the same. Take a pic and then input the details.
I have had discussions with the suppliers trying to get a smart meter fitted and saying I dont want one.
They say that having one could lower your electrical usage and I say how, I only switch on what I need so how will something that uses electricity save me money. Its not like you can switch the freezer off for a few days to save money.

 

[Smartbear]

Never understood why people want smart meters installed. Are you really that busy/lazy that you can't look at your meters once a month?

Mine are on the side of my house. I go outside, open the doors and take photos of the screens. I then input the units on my energy suppliers app. Takes about 2 minutes to do the whole lot.

I used to have a smart meter years ago, back when they weren't transferable between suppliers. All I did was turn stuff on to see how much electric I was wasting :lol: pathetic really.

I recently switched to scottish power, only because they said they could lower my bills. I will be using the look after my bills and uswitch websites next time though, as scottish power seem to get a kick out of ringing me constantly, trying to sell me crap I don't want e.g. boiler cover. If it breaks, I'll replace it. No big deal. I don't need insurance for everything in life!!!!!!

I do exactly the same. Take a pic and then input the details.
I have had discussions with the suppliers trying to get a smart meter fitted and saying I dont want one.
They say that having one could lower your electrical usage and I say how, I only switch on what I need so how will something that uses electricity save me money. Its not like you can switch the freezer off for a few days to save money.

Electrical items left on standby can increase your bills over long periods :?
Rob

 

[Nictrix]

Never understood why people want smart meters installed. Are you really that busy/lazy that you can't look at your meters once a month?

Mine are on the side of my house. I go outside, open the doors and take photos of the screens. I then input the units on my energy suppliers app. Takes about 2 minutes to do the whole lot.

I used to have a smart meter years ago, back when they weren't transferable between suppliers. All I did was turn stuff on to see how much electric I was wasting :lol: pathetic really.

I recently switched to scottish power, only because they said they could lower my bills. I will be using the look after my bills and uswitch websites next time though, as scottish power seem to get a kick out of ringing me constantly, trying to sell me crap I don't want e.g. boiler cover. If it breaks, I'll replace it. No big deal. I don't need insurance for everything in life!!!!!!

I do exactly the same. Take a pic and then input the details.
I have had discussions with the suppliers trying to get a smart meter fitted and saying I dont want one.
They say that having one could lower your electrical usage and I say how, I only switch on what I need so how will something that uses electricity save me money. Its not like you can switch the freezer off for a few days to save money.

Electrical items left on standby can increase your bills over long periods :?
Rob

Do you mean the smart meter increasing your bills?
As that's what I think happens. It might not be much but it is still plugged in.

 

[ben g]

When I begin to worry about things left on standby, that will be the time I stop driving around in a 3.0 petrol engined vehicle :lol:

Sky box has to be on standby to allow it to record things. Phone has to be plugged in to allow land-line calls. Internet hub, fridge etc, all the same.

Smart meters have to be plugged in to allow them to send usage data through to your supplier, so you're actually using up electric for a slightly easier life.