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

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@specialsubject

Bulb 100% renewable:

explanation here (I admit I don’t understand it though...)

We were with flow who were pretty good, recently switched to Utility Point as they were cheaper so far so good....

DH switched us to octopus, no complaints and seems to be cheaper than who we had before.

One energy provider I was with kept increasing the direct debit beyond any reasonable rise that bore any resemblance to bill. Sometimes I'd ring and they'd lower it, but always ended up with big refund at end of year. I left them when I got round to it.
I do prefer paper bills tbh - not eco friendly I guess but I prefer it and it reminds me to deal with any issues.

Great

I am with a relatively new supplier so not sure at the moment - will keep an eye on prices and wait and see, reserving judgement

I switch every year - using money saving expert. Easy to use and seems to always save us money.
I love having a smart meter as I can see how much we are using and the fact that I don't have to submit meter readings is great!
In my opinion they are all out to make as much money as they can and rarely put the customer first

They're all the same, don't do anything different apart from give you cheaper services at the start so they can rip you off at the end of it.

I've got no strong feelings either way about service, but I regularly change provider based on the cheapest deals available. It pays to be vigilant on energy prices or the customer always loses out as they would never swap you to a cheaper tariff of their own accord.

We have a fixed-rate tariff with one of the 'Big Six,' which I will probably change when the rate finishes. Have been meaning to do this for a while, but my husband likes the smart meter which they provided several years ago, and we didn't want to lose it.
Although a red light appears when electricity is being used, in the long run I don't believe that we save money by having this device, and it doesn't seem to be a good enough reason to stay with our current energy provider.
We pay by monthly direct debit, in order to achieve a discount, but I would prefer to pay what we actually owe each month. However, you don't get a discount for that which seams unreasonable.
I don't think that a government energy price cap will do much good, it's up to us as consumers to buy from providers who offer the best deals. There are many 'new names on the block' these days, and I will do a price comparison to achieve more competitive rates.

We aren't a huge fan of our current energy provider, but fortunately we're moving house soon. They've just put their prices up...

It's our fault though, we could change, but just don't want the hassle when it's only for a few more months.

It does make you cross that they treat loyal customers so badly and only give deals to those new customers. It works the opposite way to you think it should!

I research energy prices at least once a year, not really fussed about who the supplier is so long as the electricity is 100% renewable.

I like that they they now offer 'smart' meters and have frozen their rates.
But I admit I do not often change energy providers as it can be quite a hassle.

I haven't had any service issues with our provider but it annoys me that they don't automatically switch you to the best value tariff

I've found them perfectly reasonable, however I religiously take the meter readings every month and submit them online. My only dislike is that they are constantly pushing the installation of a smart meter, but they are reliant on the Vodafone signal which is terrible in my house, but they don't seem to take it onboard!

We've had the same one for years and I'm happy enough with it!

I think ours is fab! We have only been with them for 6 months but I've had no bad experiences as of yet!

Quite good. I am with the Coop, seem to be the cheapest for me, I ealised I was in credit last year and whilst they didnt offer to refund it, when I asked, I had it back within a week with no problem

it’s all much of a muchness it’s all about profits at the end of the day. Mine are ok I guess.

They're not very good. But the last time I switched it took 8 months to sort everything out - had to go to the Ombudsman in the end - so I simply can't face switching once more.

Octopus energy is amazing and cheap

I think that all energy suppliers are pretty much the same when it comes to price. But some are slightly better with their customer service than others. I'm with Scottish Power and have been for about 10 years. I always check price comparisons when my deal is up but they always come out on top for me. I used to be with British Gas when I first moved but their customer service is one of the worst I have ever encountered and will never go back to them.

Recently switched to Bulb from Scottish power. So far so good.

no complaint with our current provider

I have no problems because I don't know who ours is.