Mumsnet users discuss their energy supplier

[JustineBMumsnet]

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We’re very aware that energy bills are not the most exciting topic to discuss and that sorting them can be a pain, but they are a fact of life and we’d like to find out how you get on with your energy suppliers. The government has recently passed through some new legislation which will cap the total amount a supplier can charge, but do you think it will make a difference? Some of us are super organised and expert at searching for the best deals and negotiating costs each year whereas others me included overestimate our capacity to be organised enough to sort our energy bill in the least painful way.

We’re really interested in finding out how you get on with your current energy supplier and what you like and dislike about them? Is there something they particularly do that makes your life much easier? Or something you wish they’d start doing? Or even something that frustrates you about them?

Whatever your thoughts are on what makes a good energy supplier and creates a good or bad energy tariff, please share them below for your chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of your choice (from a list).

Thanks

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

We like ours.

I am so sick of receiving blurb from my supplier (SSE) pushing smart meters. At least two a month. I don't want one, they're no better than standard meters in terms of billing or cost and they are bad for your health and allow 'them' to spy on you.
.

My current supplier seems to be working for us. It's true, there's really not that much difference in all the companies, but it's worth shopping around anyway. I have great customer service, the app is handy and the online account were I can manage my direct debits is good. I rarely change the amount I'm paying on DD from summer to winter, but I don't let them keep my credit. I always get a refund, which is quick and easy. Usually back in my account in 24 hours.

I am with Eon and I can honestly say I have never had a problem with them. I always pay a little over the recommended DD only because I like to be in credit, however they are quick to contact me if I have too much credit. I like the app and the fact I can request a bill at any time.

I have been with a smaller company and had nothing but problems

Good energy provider =
Doesn’t spam me
Has a VERY easy meter readings submission form (there is no excuse for this being more than a few clicks/not mobile friendly website etc)
Tells me when my deal is coming to an end

One tariff for all at a lower price, but of course I talk nonsense.

We are with Eon. I was pretty annoyed to sign up for a new 'cheapest' tarrif only to find out that a newer and cheaper tariff was available just a week later and we are unable to swap without paying an exit fee.

I’m not sure I want to switch to a cheaper provider.

I want top quality electricity not cheap & nasty stuff

@jazzitup

One tariff for all at a lower price, but of course I talk nonsense.

Bulb! Honestly!

bulb.co.uk

Ebico too, though not cheap - but they will supply prepayment meter customers & bulb don’t routinely atm (at least I don’t think so, though they were beta testing that earlier this year).

ebico.org.uk

No issues with mine whatsoever. My only complaint is that my smart meter isn't compatible since switching from the old one. Shouldn't they be universal?

I am with Bulb and love them! It was so easy to switch, there service is lovely plus my overall price is cheaper than ever. Best bit was I got £50 in my account following a friend's recommendation link and he got £50 for recommending me too! Later, i re commended Bulb to another friend and the same thing happened again!

I'm with British gas and Southern Electric. I have been with other providers in the past. The only thing that stops me searching for cheaper energy is that we are low energy users, and the savings don't seem significant enough to move. I like it that British Gas tell you whether you are on their cheapest tariff for our useage My Brother on the other hand constantly looks for cheaper deals and changes provider quite often. He has a large household so consumption is high. So his savings are much more significant.

I find my current provider okay. I like their website where I can log in and see my trend on how much gas/electric I'm using, by time and date. I'm not sure I can claim to fully understand the tariffs though!

I’m convinced that energy suppliers keep tariffs confusing on purpose! I try to keep on top of my energy bills to make sure that I’m not suddenly overpaying, I also send regular meter readings using an app on my phone to keep tabs on my usage. If I feel I’m paying too much I will call my supplier first to see if they can offer me a better deal and if not I will use comparison sites to help me find the right one

I have no issue with ours whatsoever

Being honest as long as i do a price comparision and switch every year, i dont really notice the difference between them...

Our supplier keeps ringing about installing a smart meter, which I have declined until they install SMETS2, but still they call.

We're with Ovo and the customer service is fantastic. However I may change soon as I need to do another price comparison.and ultimately it really does come down to that

I can't really say I have a lot to do with our current supplier. We just update them with meter readings and generally, they're pretty good.

I have found SSE to be really good value and service, I am just coming to end of a two year fixed rate and if I move on to there standard it will be a lot more expensive. I have discussed this with them and they have sent me a very clear list and breakdown of the different options I have. I will be now using this to make a proper comparison with other companies. I do wish we didn’t have to keep doing this though, but there are so many companies and tariffs, and I am sure there are a lot of people who will never change because it all seems so complicated! That’s partly why I go for a fixed rate, so I know it’s not suddenly going to go up again.

i like our current provider - its a small one and always one of the cheapest, we read our meter each month and send it in and get good bills back - however i do find the bills complicated and not easy to understand. but i think thats the same with any supplier

I've always been happy with BG until recently. They suddenly seem difficult to contact. A replacement part fitted to my boiler made it sound like a jumbo jet. A comment was made that the part 'often has that effect'.
Everything is all right now, the person who phoned me and the engineer were both helpful and friendly but I feel disillusioned.
Oh and after the fault was rectified I had a letter in response to my email telling me my complaint would be dealt with and enclosing a leaflet on 'How to Make a Complaint'.

I'm not the one who sorts out energy suppliers in our house, but the things we look for when deciding are prices, but importantly they have to have a good reputation for customer service, and preferably an approach that includes investment in renewables.

I've just switched to Bulb, attracted by their eco credentials. Have switched from British Gas who I really feel are ripping us off, and whose customer service is both condescending and really variable in usefulness. The online customer portal isn't great so I've ended up on the phone to them more often than not.

I have changed energy supplier every year for the past three years to get the cheapest tariff and I used the mse energy club comparison site to get the best deals, I've found the smaller companies very helpful and so far haven't had any problems with my cheaper suppliers