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

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

you will be on a standard tariff and paying a lot.

btw Iresa went bust last week so the rest of us will paying for that. think hard before signing up with 'two millenials with a credit card'.

I always shop around when my contract is coming to an end, using mse or uswitch to find the best deal. Currently with ovo who have been absolutely fine. I tend to do everything online so an easy to use website is a must. Ovo also pay you interest if you’re in credit. Previously with EDF and First Utility - again no issues with either. Easy to use, easy to contact.

Very happy with our supplier. We have switched before and would happily do so again if we were unhappy.

I think my tariff is cheaper than others at the moment.i shop around and will change it again when it ends.i have npower and have no problems with them.

We have used First Utility for a few years. They are usually cheapest in. My comparisons each year, and they accept Warm Homes Discount. No problems with them thus far.

I’m currently with Outfox the Market. I like them because they are sustainable, switching to them was easy, and the readings/billing system is easy. BUT I have absolutely no loyalty - I am signed up to MSE’s tracker, which will notify me when I can save money by switching, and I will do so with no qualms whatsoever. I change supplier once or twice a year (I always make sure I am on a contract that allows me to leave without penalty) - price is my main driver but I am also paying more attention to where my energy comes from in terms of sustainability and ethical practices.

For many years we didn't bother to switch but have now switched twice without issues (using mse) and saved money. We have stuck to the larger companies. Currently with OVO who have a very easy to use website. I think any cap will encourage tariffs to gravitate towards it rather than save money.

I find the whole process quite intimidating and confusing, I think they have no incentive to make it easier as they will lose customers as more would shop around, and the new customers they got would be worth less as they would be on the introductory rate which is always better than the general rate

I change tariff and usually supplier each year and don't rate any of them particularly better or worse. Most are okay, some have niggles. I'm in the process of switching now to a newer, lesser known company than I've tried before but although it is a 12month fix there are no penalties so if it doesn't go well I should be able to change easily enough.

My biggest issue is with the comparison of tariffs. I get told my tariff is ending and that I will revert to the variable rate and then I get given a run down of available tariffs I can switch to. But they compare them to the variable tariff and not to my current fix. The price comparison sites do the same. So they all look more favourable than they should do and I have to spend ages working out the real comparisons myself. And I bet most people don't realise this. It's not on really.

yes, the savings model is indeed a lie, you need a spreadsheet. when a fix ends your bill will go up 10% or more.

how Carney works out inflation is beyond me.

We're with Iresa and have never had any problems with them. Now we're in limbo, so just waiting for someone to get in touch xx

luckily ofgem will bail you out and we all, including you, pay. your supplies will not be affected.

I am happy at the moment with N Power but will change if I find cheaper. No loyalty! Also Smart Meters - what a joke they are!

I would think that prices will go up in the Autumn. The poor old power companies have had 2 months with no one using much power due to the high temps. No power use means no income for them. So their company value will fall which won't please the share holders so I bet prices go up.

I've only been with my current supplier for a few months but they seem good so far. A million times better than my last supplier who didn't send me a bill until after I left them!

I’m with Sainsbury’s, who are cheaper than British Gas but you feel like they are a reputable company. The only downside is they like to put up your payments all the time, even though we are on a fixed term and not underpaying.

not bad but we like to compare prices

The only thing I like about my energy supplier is the fact I can top up from my phone rather than having to remember to take the cards out with me or having to do an emergency dash to the shop before it shuts. I know my rates went up when I renewed early this year but not by much so didn't feel the need to do any shopping around. I also got a free payg sim that gives you a free fiver every month just for being their customer and than more than covers my phone usage so I rarely have to put any extra on meaning I'm saving a fortune on my phone bill too so that's a bonus.
Not likely to switch any time soon unless they raise the rates again which may make me have another look around.

Moved into new build in March and were put with eon. It has taken 3 months numerous online chats and phone calls to discover what tariff we had been placed on (yep the standard) and how much we owe so far.

Now that we have that information we switched yesterday to avro only because they came out cheapest on our predicted usage but we'll see. Not been here a full year yet so difficult to tell.

Previously been with British gas and SSE. Like the idea of switching and it is easy to set up but IME something always goes wrong and it takes months to sort out.

I have the joy of electric night storage heaters and so have an economy 10 tariff (similar to economy 7 but with an afternoon boost). This essentially means I'm stuck with the same supplier whose systems aren't designed to support my tariff! No fancy predictions or sending meter readings via the app. I feel I have no choice at all, only found one other company who would take on my meter and they were more expensive. I either move away from economy 10 and my bills will increase or pay for a new heating system, which I just can't afford.

I've stayed with my current energy provider for a few years now, I primarily stayed with them due to receiving Clubcard points and then fixed my tariff to get a Clubcard pay off when that benefit ended. I rent and only have electricity in my flat, but I really do need to shop around when my current fixed tariff ends next year. Even with price caps, and initiatives to make understanding energy pricing/bills easier, it's very confusing to understand a bill and how pricing is worked out. I intend to switch once I'm out of contract, and there are lots of cashback offers to make this even more worthwhile with online cashback sites and comparison sites. I think a lot of energy companies benefit from customers staying with them for comfort, ease and not really knowing how to 'switch' and quite often this loyalty is rewarded by annual price rises...just like insurance, etc. You just have to be savvy I'm afraid as any company I've come in contact with is very unlikely to actually tell you have to make savings or even offer it unless a new customer.

I am actually really happy with my current energy supplier. I give my readings online and they keep my account updated well. In fact I actually got a refund off them a couple of weeks ago as when I put in my meter readings I had quite a bit of credit and I didn't even need to ask them for it.

I'm happy with my current supplier (CO-OP Energy) the deal was good and I earn co-op points and I've currently got my home and car insurance with them too.
Last year out of the blue and as a thank you treat I got to choose a free afternoon tea for two, I think that was a lovely touch in a world where companies often don't seem to care.

the impression from the economy 10 website is that there are several suppliers that support it. When I had it I remember it took a lot of arguing to find someone in the call centre that knew about it but they are allegedly out there.

We are regular switchers, so have been with most energy suppliers out there at some point. We're currently with British Gas as they're the cheapest tariff for us at present. We haven't had any issues so far, and they don't keep hassling us for a smart meter installation, which I know a lot of people are dealing with. I know several people who have had numerous problems with smart meters, including diggin up driveways and charging them thousands for the privilege, and condemning a two year old boiler that had just been serviced! I think I'll stay clear, but luckily we're not being pressed to have one.