Energy Bills...that time again

I am with EDF. I discovered recently when running my consumption details through the U switch website, that Energy companies offer better deals to attract new customers, than they allow existing customers to access, leaving us no choice other than leaving to get the best deals. Also, as others have mentioned, if your current deal expires within say 3 months, accepting the U switch results on face value, isn't always the best way to go.The results thrown out by switching websites are all based on the next 12 months, therefore when they compare your current deal, they assume you will move on to the standard rate tarrif for 9 months, when it expires. Obviously most sensible people dont, so the savings they suggest, aren't likely to be correct.

Like V9 I'm with British Gas, and I am very happy with them. In my case their service has been faultless and I am more than happy to stick with them.

I now have smart meters for both gas and electric (Also via British Gas) and a "Hive System".  My gas and electric power is now so much easier to manage that I am confident that future bills will reflect that.

TF

Write your comments here...Like you TF.  We are with British Gas and have had smart meters installed. I have to say that any time we have contacted them with any enquiries they have been very helpful and polite. We have no intention of changing supplier. --  I have often recommended them to friends. 

In general I usually find that companies respond in the same manner as the enquiry is made.  If customers are  polite and non- agressive then the company will respond in a similar manner. 

Cheers..... K

 

Good point K, they do respond well to polite non aggressive callers. Whereas they tend not to respond when someone has a question they either can't answer or feel uncomfortable when caught not being completely honest. Some of us(a growing number) refuse to roll over & play dead when these companys pay us lip service, some of us will take our business elsewhere, if the same happens we move again. If you are happy then you should stay where you are-agreed

We are currently with BG and wanted a smart meter, but because we have PV panels they say they cannot fit one yet.

We had our old meter changed to one which did not run backwards when we export electricity, so I am surprised these "smart" meters cannot cope with that!

What bugs me is the self congratulating Emails, telling me what the energy company has saved me, wrong-they actually increased their charges to me, it was my attitude to energy use that brought the actual costs down. Smoke & mirrors. Cynical?, no just realistic. I have it all there since the Govt forced the energy industry kicking & screaming into the world of transparency.

Transparency? Energy bills have all the transparency of a lead-lined box.

I've used to money saving expert a few times to check for the best tariffs.  I am in the middle of a change at the moment I will see how it goes. 

About 10 years ago I was on a dual direct debit trouble was they never read the meter we were always out. It turned out we were £1300 in credit and they proposed that they increased the  DD by 40%. I suggested that they didn't and they returned the money to our account and they tried to argue that they shouldn't 

What amazes me when I use USwitch, I access the energy company that states it can save me Xamount of pounds. I find where the monthly DD payment for that plan is shown , it's usually about £40 per month more than I pay now. How can that be if they, as they state, are saving me money ?

My only concern is, that it is now possible to 'hack' domestic smart appliances and I am worried that in my absence heating may be turned up to max, lights switched on, washing machines and dishwashers likewise, along with the oven and maybe hob rings.

Seemingly anything controlled over the internet, by way of localised radio transmitters, is open to this type of activity.

So how do we overcome that possibility?

Our newly ordered British Gas boiler will be able to "talk" to BG about faults and can identify what is going wrong and BG can turn up with the right parts (we hope?!) So we're not on the smart route where we can turn things on and off remotely. You are right about the risks of possible outside interference, I think this has been openly talked about and could happen.

Another thought, switching on domestic appliance whilst out of the house is a bit of a concern anyway. We had a horrible house fire locally, a dishwasher running whilst the owners were out set fire to the kitchen, sadly their pet dog died. So remote contols aren't always a good idea, never mind the hacking possibility. 

I believe that these days your supplier has to have you on the best tariff that suits your usage.Oddly were with British Gas dual fuel but on every bill/statement we get it recommends useing Sainsbury,s (in the small print) who are partners with BG.Trying to asses the best tariff yourself is virtually impossible as the rates can change not just monthly but daily and even hourly.

v9

   I' m with Sainsbury's at the moment and have been quite happy with them since moving from the dreaded NPower. But I have sent two emails asking what they have to offer, but only had auto mails stating they will reply in 5 days , but to no avail. Due to this it made me take a look on U switch as I left it too long when moving from NPower and it cost me.

I've just looked on U-Switch and for me Sainsbury's come up the cheapest. Their options are showing as only a fixed rate option till Nov 2017 and a variable rate, the former being the cheapest for me. The same result is coming from Moneysupermarket.com too.

What amazes me when I use USwitch, I access the energy company that states it can save me Xamount of pounds. I find where the monthly DD payment for that plan is shown , it's usually about £40 per month more than I pay now. How can that be if they, as they state, are saving me money ?

The offer on U-Switch for Sainsbury's is half the price that I'm currently paying on NPower, although the expected rate from NP is a lot lower than I'm paying at the moment. I'll have to get in touch with them to find out what's going on.