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Original poster

Can I ask for energy company recommendations?

35 replies

NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 14:54

Currently with Bulb (haven’t been told I’ve been officially moved to Octopus yet) and despite being nearly £250 in credit, have just been told my monthly bill is to more than double from around £150 a month to £350 a month, so looking to switch, but keen for somewhere with decent customer service as well as decent prices (as much as is possible at the moment, anyway).

Thank you x

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2023 15:03

The prices are the same everywhere, and if you end up with Octopus, you've probably got the best available customer service and direct debit policy anyway.

However, on it's own, an increase from £150 to £350 a month isn't necessarily an indicator that you're being charged unfairly. You'd have to be quite a low user for £150 to enough at the moment.

When did you last get a bill? Unless it's very recent, and based on accurate readings, £350 might not necessarily be too high, as we've still got a month or two of winter to go, and we're expecting prices to increase by 20% in April.

What's your annual usage and what does it cost based on current prices? With that information, plus whether or not your billing is up to date, you might have the evidence to go back to Bulb to agree a fairer DD amount.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 15:04

I got my bill today and we have a Smart meter.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 15:05

I’d need to dig out usage figures (not avoiding that question!)

OP posts:

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BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2023 15:07

Have a look at the Moneysaving Expert DD calculator

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/#calc

£350 is probably too high, if your billing is up to date, but it's probably going to be more than £150 unfortunately, perhaps around £200-250.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 15:09

BarbaraofSeville · 10/02/2023 15:07

Have a look at the Moneysaving Expert DD calculator

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/#calc

£350 is probably too high, if your billing is up to date, but it's probably going to be more than £150 unfortunately, perhaps around £200-250.

Thank you - yes, I could completely accept an increase given what’s happening to unit costs, but I just can’t see how they’ve got to that figure.

I’ll check out MSE.

OP posts:
rbe78 · 10/02/2023 15:42

All the companies have basically the same price at the mo, so it doesn't matter from that pov.

The new monthly 'price' you've been given by Octopus will be their reccommended direct debit they've calcualted bsaed on your usage, not the actual price you'll be billed for your energy.

I would stick with Octopus, because unlike a lot of other companies it is SUPER easy to change your direct debit amount - you just go into the app and change it to what you want and it instantly applies from the next billing period. I recently changed my DD to £10 a month because I'd built up quite a surplus, and there was no problem with that. They also let you pretty much instantly withdraw some of the money if you've built up quite a bit of credit and would rather have it back in your bank account.

pigsinoodies · 10/02/2023 15:44

Octopus are fantastic. And you can change your DD amount and billing date without any problem at all.

NewBootsAndRanty · 10/02/2023 15:45

Have a look at Octopus's tracker tariff.

megletthesecond · 10/02/2023 15:48

Octopus. They ask me for meter readings every month and I find their website well laid out.
I also like the cute little octopus in a port hole on their website

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 15:53

Thank you all. So I should just hang on with Bulb until the takeover completes?

OP posts:
pigsinoodies · 10/02/2023 15:55

NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 15:53

Thank you all. So I should just hang on with Bulb until the takeover completes?

I would. I was with another company they took over and it all went really smoothly.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 10/02/2023 18:50

pigsinoodies · 10/02/2023 15:55

I would. I was with another company they took over and it all went really smoothly.

Show quote history

That’s really helpful, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 12:45

Managed to get my annual usage and use the MSE calculator

1144 kwh gas across the year and 2297 kwh electricity which the calculator says means we should be paying £1,190 a year based on the new increased prices.

Unless I’m misunderstanding something, £350 a month is a completely joke? They won’t lower it to £299 and I’m loathed to be paying that every month until Octopus finally transfer me across.

OP posts:
pigsinoodies · 13/02/2023 12:57

Are you sure you've got your gas usage right? That's really low unless you've got no heating.

NewBootsAndRanty · 13/02/2023 13:01

pigsinoodies · 13/02/2023 12:57

Are you sure you've got your gas usage right? That's really low unless you've got no heating.

Yep, I'd double check that.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:50

My Feb 2022 read was 3777, and my Feb 2023 read was 4921, all done by smart meter (I’m getting the figures off my bill)?

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:53

Oh no wait, it’s in meter units, not kWh!

OP posts:
NewBootsAndRanty · 13/02/2023 13:53

NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:50

My Feb 2022 read was 3777, and my Feb 2023 read was 4921, all done by smart meter (I’m getting the figures off my bill)?

Your meter measures in cubic m or ft, your gas is billed in kwh

Your last bill will show how you how to convert hoe many units you used on your meter into kwh.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:54

Thank you, just realised! Recalculating now!

OP posts:
pigsinoodies · 13/02/2023 13:56

NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:53

Oh no wait, it’s in meter units, not kWh!

I guessed that.

Assuming it's a metric meter I think that would make your monthly bill around £205-ish, depending on what area you're in.

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:58

So it’s 12,025 gas and 2297 electricity, which MSE estimates as £2310 per year including the 18% increase, so £192.50 a month, which is a much more reasonable increase.

OP posts:
Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 13:59

So still none the wiser about where they are getting £350 from?! I’ve called up today and asked for a formal review.

Thank you to everyone for the help and advice on a very mundane bill query!

OP posts:
ifonly4 · 13/02/2023 15:00

We were with Bulb and I did a price comparison with Octopus a couple of weeks ago, the quote stating Octopus would be much more expensive.

Following on, had an email from Octopus last week stating transfer had taken place (neither Bulb or Octopus told me it was pending. However, everything looks ok and they have my most recent meter readings and I can see previous bills. The prices are identical to Bulb, although the electricity is a fraction of a penny more expensive meaning we'll pay around £1.80 pa more - guess we can live with that for now!

Original poster
NewMum0305 · 13/02/2023 15:07

Ah that’s useful to know, thank you

OP posts:
ifonly4 · 13/02/2023 15:11

Moving forwards, obviously you'll have roughly a 20% increase and I guess won't receive the government monthly payments of £67, but still seems like you're being asked to pay a good £100pm extra. Do you have an online account and pay by DD? If so, there's usually the option to pay a minimum amount so might be worth doing that.