Who's your energy supplier?

[Sandrine1982]

We would like to change suppliers. We're currently with EDF for gas and electricity but their tarrifs (including standing charges) are a bit too high so I'm wondering if there is anyone cheaper with whom we can function in the same way as with EDF:

• Basically give meter readings every month and just pay (manually by card) for what we consume.

We don't want to do estimates, direct debits or anything like that. We don't want a smart meter.

I like EDF because they have a very user-friendly website and the online account is great. You just give a meter reading and they generate your bill the following day.

Is there a similar but cheaper provider?

Thanks

I've been with Octopus for 3 years and am very impressed. I pay a monthly DD but can control how much I pay. Submit a monthly reading and get a bill within 24 hours. My fixed rate is due to end in June so am expecting my DD to at least double.

Every supplier is basically charging the same at the moment due to the government energy price guarantee. There is no cheap fixes as the price guarantee is basically the fix. This price guarantee changes in April and we will see another increase as well of around £500pa on the average cost.

In the last year electric unit prices have doubled and gas prices have trebled. Plus standing charges are about 50% higher as well. Electric is around 34p a kwh and gas 10p a kwh.

@Sandrine1982

I don't think British Gas would suit you at all. (mostly) suits me, but it wouldn't if I wanted what you do. Wouldn't suit me if my circumstances were different either.

I’m not sure that there’s much difference between rates for providers. I’m with Octopus on their standard rates. As far as I’m aware no one is offering a new fixed rate that is less than the energy cap. If EDF operate the pay as you use system that you prefer then I’m not sure you would save elsewhere. I pay by direct debit but have control over what that is.

@Sandrine1982 you will be unlikely to find a cheaper supplier as they will all be priced at the price cap rate. You're basically going by customer service tbh

I don't think there are cheaper rates at the moment either.

I too was moved to Octopus when our previous supplier went out of business. They are the best company we have been with for Customer service, including flexibility of bill (and I used to swap every year so have been with a lot of companies)

Another Octopus customer here and I'm very happy with them.

Thanks guys. Looks like the rates are the same everywhere. I compared a few today. Depressing..

If octopus are still offering a tracker tariff waiting list it's worth getting on it even if it's for next winter - I'm paying under 24.9p/kwh for electric and under 6.2p/kwh for gas today.

Hi I hope this thread is not too old, we also switched to Octopus for the fixed rate but lately our consume has gone down drastically as I operated and I live in the house by myself half of the time and I am extremely careful about what I use, never keep lights on, my heating is set at Eco 15 in the bedrooms andn16 degrees downstair. It is freeing cold. I do washes from 11pm when in theory the Tarif is free and they charge me exactly the same even if I now moved to a rate which should take into account the use. I am not working and I am desperate as I cannot afford 400 pounds bills only for gas and electricity per month... Any ideas ?

@ARCHIE114 Unless you have a tariff that gives cheaper energy at night e.g economy 7, then you will get charged the same whatever time you use your washing machine.

When you submit readings are you in credit or debit? Have you contacted Octopus to see if they can help you?

I do have a tariff that gives cheaper energy at night with the electric car - yes so many times they are very helpful but a month later they get back to the same price - it just looks like no matter what they want to get 400 pounds a month

@ARCHIE114 how does your monthly payment compare to your usage? For example I pay £225 per month and last month used £70 gas and £150 electricity. I dont have an electric car or a tumble dryer.

Are you in credit or debit? Do you submit regular readings?

P.s. I can adjust my direct debit in the Octopus app. I only do that if I'm sure the amount I change it to will cover my usage

Thanks demented pixie - It is all very new for me but I have an intelligent reader and I do not think it works properly as - I also got rid of my tumble dryer and I never charge the car more than once a month and in theory that should be free. I will call them again

Utilita with both gas and electric. Been with them for 7 years and I've not had 1 problem with them. I find them cheaper then all other suppliers

EDF.

You can go in a DD with them where you pay the bill each month rather than an estimate. Effectively exactly what you're doing now but automatic.

If you do that, you get a lower tarrif. Might be worth looking at for comparison purposes.

Also may I add that I'm on pay as you go and I can put £30 on each meter and it will last me almost 3 weeks. Plus if I run out if credit I have the option to use power up(ask for a loan) or use £15 emergency credit on each gas and electric

Why would it be free to charge your car up? Is that because you have solar panels?

Which tariff are you on?

Riding my bike it is the intelligent av charger, the usage at night is very very low. I now checked the details of the usage and there must be some issues with the electricity as gas is cheap but there are some really high peaks. I am now wondering if someone is using my charger to charge their car when I am away ..... Thank you all