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Which energy company are you with?

22 replies

starfish4 · 30/09/2014 14:40

Just wondering what energy companies others are with? Are with you them because they are cheap, a good service provider or can't be bothered to look around?

We were with Southern Electric, but moved in the summer and had to take on the current supplier at the property - EDF. Looking online, I think they are cheaper than Southern Electric - Southern Electric were always very helpful in the 16 years we used them. I think now would be a good time to shop around for the cheapest price but want a company who are helpful if needed.

OP posts:
NotMrsTumble · 30/09/2014 14:46

Ovo have been cheapest for me (according to u switch) for the last two years. Their website is easy to navigate and you have control over direct debits. Our bill seems to have shrunk significantly, and if you ever need to speak to them I have always found them to be straightforward and very helpful. (unlike some of the others I've dealt with over the years). In fact, I think I'd stay with ovo unless there were significant savings to be made elsewhere, I'm that impressed with their service.

ilovepowerhoop · 30/09/2014 14:55

I am with edf and havent had any issues. avoid npower as their customer service has been atrocious and I am still waiting for money back from them

pollyglen · 30/09/2014 16:31

I am with First Utility as i was led to believe that i would save a decent amount of cash.However,they have been the worst company i have ever used.They refuse to communicate via email and take an hour to answer the phone.

They feel it is also reasonable to take direct debits from your account within a few days of switching to them,"to prevent you getting in to debt",and they have debited me twice this month on random dates because they can't bill properly.Avoid.

BlueBrightBlue · 30/09/2014 16:39

Thanks for sharing that polly. Was going to switch over but I'll stick with my current biller.

Leviticus · 30/09/2014 22:29

Utility warehouse. So far so good. They promise to be the cheapest on the market by at least 0.5% I think. If you pay by direct debit they shouldn't take any money in advance.

starfish4 · 01/10/2014 10:41

Thanks for your replies (so far!).

ilovepowerhoop, we were with npower many years ago and had the same thing as you when we moved and it was months before we got a refund. They obviously haven't improved.

pollygen, First Utility are coming up as considerably cheaper than our present supplier but think I'll avoid think, unless anyone has any positive comments.

I will see how Utility Warehouse and Ovo compare to our present tariff with EDF, but it's good to know they are okay.

OP posts:
Madmog · 07/10/2014 14:34

We also had to go with EDF when we moved. They assessed our monthly payment would only be £60, which didn't make sense as we were paying £71 in a small house. They've been asking for monthly readings, which is good as their website automatically assessed the cost of what you've used and how much you are in credit/debit. They now assess we should be paying £73 though (which is more likely to be correct), so do wonder if the initial charge of £60 was one to get you to sign up! What I'm saying, is just be prepared, as some energy companies may put the price up if you change.

ilovepowerhoop · 07/10/2014 15:06

edf have just told me I'm getting £300 back in overpayments without me asking. I am still waiting for my npower money back although they have said I'm getting an extra £25 in compensation

specialsubject · 07/10/2014 21:52

npower - cheapest for me. Also they keep cocking up payments and each blunder is £10 - £25 in compensation. So it is worth a few phone calls.

ilovepowerhoop · 07/10/2014 21:59

I havent had any of my money back from npower yet though so it has not been worth it for me so far

They have also screwed up my sister's billing/direct debit payments and she is now hundreds of £'s in arrears

specialsubject · 08/10/2014 14:20

you have to keep nagging - raise a formal complaint and then phone (They ignore emails). Demand £10 every time you phone, plus £25 per complaint (That is their authorisation limit)

your sister has used the electricity and so presumably has put the money aside for it? I know it is a pain but EVERYONE must monitor consumption.

Npowers DD system is faulty so keep checking.

ilovepowerhoop · 08/10/2014 14:26

I have raised a complaint and they said they have dealt with it but I am waiting for the money to come back (not holding my breath tbh).

Re my sister: They took random amounts out on random dates/didnt set up the direct debit on the date she asked (she tried 3 times at least to get it set for the 15th, they keep taking it on the 1st or just random dates) - once they took a random £500 out her account so it had to be returned as she didnt have funds to pay for it. Because she is now in arrears she cannot leave them.

I have told her to complain as her problems have been going on for nearly a year now. They are causing issues, not solving them.

LapinDeBois · 16/10/2014 23:12

Ovo here too. They were the cheapest when I switched, and their customer service is fantastic. I love the fact that you can choose your own direct debit amount, and also claim a refund online if you've overpaid (though they pay 3% interest on any overpayment balance anyway). They're still v nearly the cheapest for me, but in any case there would have to be a BIG saving for me to leave them. Ovo and First Direct - two absolutely star companies in otherwise generally crappy marketplaces.

samsam123 · 17/10/2014 20:51

co op energy for me great prices and good customer service def recommend

joanofarchitrave · 17/10/2014 20:53

Good Energy because I wanted a greener company. I often seem to pay less than people who post their bills on here, and I've now switched to them for gas too. Customer service great too.

Chasingsquirrels · 18/10/2014 21:17

ISupplyEnergy. Just coming up to end of 2nd year with them, so need to check prices again in the next few days. No problems, all done online.

sophiajones · 23/05/2018 11:55

As per my experience, First Utility is the best. A few months back, I had a problem with their broadband services. But I have made a call to First Utility customer service for the help. They guided me very nicely and tell me each step very clearly.

e1y1 · 23/05/2018 13:48

Sainsbury’s energy for me, been with them years,always been happy.

Signed up initially did to receiving Nectar points, but don’t receive them now as they stoppe on the energy accounts, boo.

But it’s basically British Gas but cheaper, I like the Sainsbury’s brand (hate BG though oddly).

peachesdolores · 24/05/2018 15:25

Just left Economy Energy - they were the PITS! Not one accurate bill for the whole year we used them. Still no bill so that we can pay our final one. Just joined Pure Planet who seem to be cheap and use renewable energy. So far so good. You do readings via their app and any questions have been answered too....

Lucky78945 · 31/10/2018 17:07

I've recently switched to Octopus energy and would really recommend them - has been really smooth so far - they did handled the whole switch for me and they are very competitive in terms of price.

And I did a bit of searching and found a £50 off link so if you want to sign up then use the link below for a discount:

share.octopus.energy/lucky-fish-619

beckyn86 · 07/01/2019 15:54

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Becoli · 15/02/2021 11:55

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