Mumsnet users discuss their energy supplier

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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

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I have only recently transferred over to a new one, there were a few minor problems and the phone line was too busy but emails were responded to and the problem sorted. I won't know if it works out cheaper but I was paying so much just as a standing charge for gas and often not using any gas at all so I moved to one where I pay just for the gas.

Never had any problems with our supplier

I like Scottish Power, they are the best of a bad bunch

I keep myself relatively up to date with my meter readings - I set a 3 monthly reminder in my calendar to do them, it takes a couple of minutes. I use my phone to take a picture of the readings, so if I can't enter them online straight away, I don't lose the scrap of paper with them written on speaking from past experience.

I have had issues in the past, with my first flat, with the company setting my direct debit too low, resulting in me having a big bill, so I do make sure I read the statements and check I am happy that it isn't mounting up. I don't want to be caught out again.
For me, a good supplier needs to offer an online meter reading entry or an app that is reliable. I prefer bills to be online too, and I like to be able to access graphs to track actual vs expected usage (great for showing the impact of a new boiler or increased insulation - makes it feel more worthwhile!). I also think a smooth initial switching process creates a very important first impression.

I do a comparison each time I switch, and I enter the actual kWh used in the last year to get an accurate appraisal. I have just applied for a switch from n-power to Tonik, and am hoping this will be smooth and processed without issues. I chose Tonik mainly due to cost, but the deciding factor for me between Tonik and similarly priced suppliers was that they use renewable energy.

I feel that ours is expensive, but I've not got around to changing yet.

I have found Bulb to be efficient, reasonably priced and green

I have changed supplier recently and I don't have any complaints about them

I like my current supplier, it's cheap and any problems I've had in the past have been dealt with quickly :)

A lot of energy companies are the same in my opinion It really annoys me when you get a good deal for 18-24 months and then they put you on an awful one!

We always shop around and use the energy club to do so. I like our current supplier Avro as it was really easy to swap, we saved about £40 per month and everything’s online. I have to send in my meter reading monthly which is a bit of a pain but allows for accurate usage.

Been with british gas for years and never had an issue with them. I wouldn't change :)

All the energy suppliers I've ever tried are almost identical in terms of service, so I always go for the cheapest. Current provider is just fine.

Changed to them last year - no problems so far

I'm with Utility Point - they seem really good so far.

I’m with EDF, customer service is great with very helpful staff, the app generally works well and you can submit photo meter readings which I like. Pricing is not bad and I pay less now that I did with npower 10 years ago although I think that frankly that says more about npower who I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot barge-pole even if they were the cheapeSt supplier around. With EDF you can swap tariff easily through the App. There are cheaper suppliers but at the moment I still wouldn’t change beCause a lot of them aren’t tried and tested and I’m willing to pay for good customer service

The most annoying thing about ALL energy providers is they give you a monthly estimate payment plan and it never stays at that amount it always goes up in price and then they tell you to pay more to cover future bills

to be honest I am not sure and I think they are all as bad as each other.

I don't really think about my energy supplier as long as I get gas and electricity! I do shop around for the best deal though and have switched in the last couple of years to try to keep costs down as much as possible.

I'm with Scottish power and have no complaints

we are with Npower select (as we have 2 meters)
words cannot convey how incompetent they are
the switch over took about 4 months
they have failed to collect any money from my bank despite me giving them the correct details, twice, my bank say they just haven't tried to get the payment
save yourself a lot of angst and never, ever use them

i switch everytime my contract is up , im currently with the co-op for both but find it ridiculous that if you switch at the moment you cant keep your smart meter , it reverts back to analogue

Current supplier sends over priced estimates then keeps dropping my monthly direct debits during the summer which means come winter I'm due them money, drives me insane, they should just leave the amount or at least converse with me if they think otherwise.

I'm with Scottish Power and they are far better than everyone else I have used. Many of the smaller companies make you pay direct debits in advance and set the amount far too high so you are effectively lending them money. With Scottish Power I pick my own direct debit date and set the direct debit amount to the figure I decide. If you build up a high balance this will be repayed automatically without having to ask for it. Their website does everything I would expect - I have not had any "personal" contact with them. I have just switched to my third contract with them and each time the price has been very competitive.

I am not happy with my provider they lowered my direct debit and now I owe them money so cannot change until it is paid off and the tarif I was on has increased

I’m with bulb - joined just under a year ago. Very happy with them.

They have one (low) rate for everybody!!! (well, 2 - gas & elec).
Elec is 100% renewable & some gas is too.
Very user-friendly app.
Nice clear bills on app.
Easy to submit meter readings (they like them monthly, & so do I as I know where I am with usage)

Quite sad to see how many are saying “they’re all the same” & “there’s no point switching” 😕