View Full Version : Which electricity company to go for ?
mooingmilk
26-10-2004, 18:44
Hi,
as you all probably know now, going to be moving in to my new palce in about 3 weeks time.
We've been asked to look in and sort out electricity ourselves..
i was wondering what you guys reccomend, npower seems to be a popular choice at the moment..
only going to be my b/f and myself living there so shouldn't be using too much electricity hopefully !
Thanks
danielsesay
26-10-2004, 18:46
USwitch.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-582776-10279726) - should help you decide.
Scottish Power was the cheapest I found when I looked on USwitch.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-582776-10279726)
shadw_uk
26-10-2004, 19:21
I also use Scottish Power, I was originally with Powergen (http://powergenutilities.at/thedvdforums) but swapped. They were so much cheaper when doing a comparison and their staff when you call them so nice I swapped on the basis of a cold call.
mooingmilk
26-10-2004, 19:21
thanks...
scottish power and sweb seems best for me ....
When you do come to apply, please do it via our affiliate link with USwitch.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-582776-10279726) :)
Matt.Wild
26-10-2004, 19:42
Don't necessarily swap to the cheapest supplier. Swap to the cheapest supplier but with the BEST service. After all, you may save a £10-er over a year, but if you are on the fone for an hour each time you have a problem, was that £10 saving worth it?
mooingmilk
26-10-2004, 19:44
Don't necessarily swap to the cheapest supplier. Swap to the cheapest supplier but with the BEST service. After all, you may save a £10-er over a year, but if you are on the fone for an hour each time you have a problem, was that £10 saving worth it?
hmm good point... which ones do you reccomend and which ones do you guys say i should avoid at all cost ?
Cash Collector
26-10-2004, 19:52
Energylinx (http://www.cashquestions.com/forum/fccomparison.php) is the same idea as Uswitch, not sure if the results differ!
Matt.Wild
26-10-2004, 20:03
I'd recommend SWALEC as they have really good customer service and are part of the SSE group which have a no nonense take on complaints. If one is made, they will sort it then and there.
As a secondary note, I actually work for Atlantic, part of the same group (SSE) and we do really good prices at the mo compared to most other suppliers and have the same no nonsense attitude now (it used to be quite poor in the past mind you). In fact, if you went with Atlantic I could personally actually follow your accounts thro the various set up processes and keep an eye on it as I actually work on all the systems (billing, setting up, disputes, arranging meter checks, swaps etc etc etc) Atlantic use. No gain for me but if it'd help, i'd be happy to sort it all for you :)
Once you've found one with a good service level, go to their web site and sign up on their site as it should be cheaper as they won't have to pay commission (altho the forums wouldn't get the commission either :().
HTH
mooingmilk
26-10-2004, 20:14
thanks...
how do i 'start' this then, as i know very little about the current place except the house address...
i take it i can do very little til the day i move in ?
Matt.Wild
26-10-2004, 20:43
1stly before you even consider moving supplier, move into your house. On the day you move in, take readings and contact the properties current supplier and let them know you've moved in and give them your readings. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT as otherwise they will estimate your start readings meaning you could POTENTIONALLY get billed for the old owners usage!
Once you are in, contact the supplier you want to transfer. You can either do this via the web on a site like USwitch.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-582776-10279726) or directly at the companies web site (usually cheaper still as no commission to pay to USwitch.com (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-582776-10279726)) or over the fone directly with the company.
Electricity will generally take up to and around 28 days to transfer once the agreement has been made for you to transfer. Part of the reason this period is taken is because by domestic electricity law, there is a 7 day cooling off period in which you can cancel. Once this cooling off period expires they will then apply for the account. The transfer usually takes 2-3 weeks (usually the former).
When your supplier has a start date they will usually ask for a start read. I'd advise to contact them with actual reads a again they will estimate a start read if they don't get one, which could be wrong meaning you may pay more to the previous and more expensive supplier than you need to!
After the account comes on to supply most of the work is done. If you want "bang on" actual reads, contact your supplier every three months from you supply start date (SSD) and give them reads. It means your billing will be very accurate and saves any probs later on.
You may ask why should you supply actual reads and the answer is this - any supplier in the market has to read your meter every year, this much is true. HOWEVER, the law states the meter should be read no less than ONCE per year and in a lot of case this means ONCE :( - this can mean 3 out of 4 bills are estimated and can be quite a bit out - you could either massivley over pay or massivley under pay. Not ideal, I think you will agree!!
As for your gas, its the same situ as above but the application for your supply will take around 28 days AFTER the cooling off period so in total it will take approx 6 weeks for your gas to transfer to the new supplier.
When you actually go to change, make sure you have the full property details to hand, your full meter supply numbers (your MPAN for electricity, often just called the supply number on a bill, marked next to a big black "S", which is 21 digits long, spread over 2 lines) and your supply number for gas (you MPRN number, this can be varying lengths, often between about 7 and 10 digits long) as it will speed the process up and also prevents incorrect supplies being taken over!
Hope that helps :)
mooingmilk
26-10-2004, 21:09
thanks very very much :)
firstly, there is no gas luckily :p its all electric....
also how do i know who the current tennant has for their electricity ?
other than that, seems very clear hopefully... will move in 3 weeks yesterday, but just wanted to get as much sorted out as possible as we're both working 9-5 so can very little done during the days :(
fluffyfred
26-10-2004, 21:20
With Powergen (http://powergenutilities.at/thedvdforums) and been with them for 4 years, keep getting other energy suppliers trying to get me to change over but happy where I am at the moment and not willing to change.
Matt.Wild
26-10-2004, 21:23
What area are you moving into mooingmilk? I'll get the relevant MPAS contact number for you and you can call them and they will confirm your property supplier at the property :)
MPAS = Meter Point Administration Service
there is one in the bargain forum offering £40 currys voucher or a freeview box if you sign up (Powergen (http://powergenutilities.at/thedvdforums)), prices not too bad either:
http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325409
Guess this should be in the Suppliers forum really.
Moving...
mooingmilk
26-10-2004, 21:35
moving to Bishop's Cleeve, which is just north of cheltenham...
Matt.Wild
26-10-2004, 22:17
OK, i'll get the MPAS number tomorrow for you :)
They'll confirm the current supplier to the property and once you are there, will post out your Electricity supply number to you as well :)
decosta1228
27-10-2004, 06:08
These are the numbers I use at work...So it might come in handy
http://www.good-energy.co.uk/mpas.asp
snow-munki
27-10-2004, 08:37
have just called, with Scottish Power Energy.
They couldn't tell me too much apart from getting a meter reading and calling on the day i move in, and that's about it.
They said its a 'True Rate' meter, and not economy 7, if that means anything to you guys ???
yeah economy 7 is one that has two rates for electricity, ie cheap for a few hours in the dead of the night but more expensive during the day. It's mostly used for houses with storage heaters.
True Rate is your standard meter just gives you the same rate 24 hours a day
fluffyfred
28-04-2005, 22:34
With Powergen (http://powergenutilities.at/thedvdforums) and been with them for 4 years, keep getting other energy suppliers trying to get me to change over but happy where I am at the moment and not willing to change.
Just read back at this and started laughing, our last bill compared to the same period last year, went up by around £80 and was told it was to do with the price increase...quite a hike we think so we're looking at changing to Scottish Power.
I use good energy - link on the last page. They're a renewable energy supplier, were the cheapest for my usage according to USwitch, but more to the point, their customer service is EXCELLENT. Possibly because they only have a few thousand customers. I always speak to a real person, who is friendly and goes out of her way to answer any question I might have, or make any changes to my account that I'd like. In fact, I think it's the same person every time :suspect:
About Ebico Ltd
What is EBICo Ltd?
EBICo was founded in 1998 and is a not-for-profit Company, limited by Guarantee. The Company's aim is to harness the power of ‘the market’ to tackle real issues of social justice. EBICo develop commercially viable ventures that enable all consumers to use their purchasing power to further ethical goals. EBICo's guiding principles are a bias towards those on low incomes and stewardship of resources. We believe that these principles are entirely consistent with those of the Christian Gospel. Our initiatives have been making a real difference to low income households since 1999."
www.ebico.co.uk/equilux.htm
Cheepest Gas and Electric I found
Steve
About Ebico Ltd
What is EBICo Ltd?
EBICo was founded in 1998 and is a not-for-profit Company, limited by Guarantee. The Company's aim is to harness the power of ‘the market’ to tackle real issues of social justice. EBICo develop commercially viable ventures that enable all consumers to use their purchasing power to further ethical goals. EBICo's guiding principles are a bias towards those on low incomes and stewardship of resources. We believe that these principles are entirely consistent with those of the Christian Gospel. Our initiatives have been making a real difference to low income households since 1999."
www.ebico.co.uk/equilux.htm
Cheepest Gas and Electric I found
Steve
mmmm! Just checked my last electricity bill from Atlantic your supplier is 25% more expensive. You obviously did not look hard enough.
edit Gas is only 2% more than Atlantic.
Jeff
Gas
EQUIGAS charges 1.620p per kWh (including VAT) regardless of how much you use or how you pay. No standing charge
(1.54 excluding vat)
Electric
EQUIPOWER charges 6.74p per kWh (including VAT) regardless of how much you use or how you pay. No standing charge
(6.42 excluding vat)
How much are you paying/what are your rates with Atlantic?
Steve
Gas
EQUIGAS charges 1.620p per kWh (including VAT) regardless of how much you use or how you pay. No standing charge
(1.54 excluding vat)
Electric
EQUIPOWER charges 6.74p per kWh (including VAT) regardless of how much you use or how you pay. No standing charge
(6.42 excluding vat)
How much are you paying/what are your rates with Atlantic?
Steve
I used the Equipower rates shown on their website multiplied by the number of unit used on my bills (Economy 7 and Gas) and compared with the total cost of my current bills. Direct rate comparisons are not valid as my unit rates exclude VAT, standing charge and discount (1 months payment per year).
Jeff
So what are you unit prices/standing charge so as I can compare. I looked on thier web site, but the rates are not there! Also using their saving calculater, it is only showing a very small saving if I select one of the big boys such as powergen.
Steve
So what are you unit prices/standing charge so as I can compare. I looked on thier web site, but the rates are not there! Also using their saving calculater, it is only showing a very small saving if I select one of the big boys such as powergen.
Steve
I am in Eastern Region.
E7 day rate 5.65p/kWh night rate 2.55p/kWh + VAT standing charge 17p/day + VAT
Gas 1.515p/kWh + VAT standing charge 11.29p/day + VAT
All less 1/12 discount per year.
Just did a comparison of the Equipower general domestic tariff and it comes out the same as their E7 total for me. E7 with Atlantic works out cheaper than their standard rate for me.
Jeff
mmmm! Just checked my last electricity bill from Atlantic your supplier is 25% more expensive. You obviously did not look hard enough.
edit Gas is only 2% more than Atlantic.
Jeff
So it is not 25% cheeper after all! :lol:
Steve
So it is not 25% cheeper after all! :lol:
Steve
Electricity is 25% Gas is 2% as I said.
Jeff
Don't forget that electricity prices are also driven on where you live. It might be cheap in one area but not another. I've gone with Ebico for both Gas & Electric. As I live on my own I don't use enough of either to get me past the typical high initial unit fees into the better discounted ones (i.e. first 200 units at one price, thereafter a lower price) - hence Ebico's flat rate works out good for me.
Both my gas and electric are actually supplied by Southern Electric, I made the application to Ebico, everything since has been from SE. It depends where you live as to who Ebico will actually arrange your supply with.
Just to add we have another search system on the books to add to USwitch.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump.php?url=http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-582776-10279726) - Energy Helpline (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump.php?url=http://energyhelpline.at/thedvdforums).
:)
if you pay Gas 1.515p/kWh + VAT standing charge 11.29p/day + VAT, you are paying £43.15 standing charge (approx) per year, so there is no way I would be better off or save 2% per year. Also as I am not on E7 and there are no unit prices shown on Atlantics web site, so I can not see how you can say that "My supplier is 25% more expensive. You obviously did not look hard enough", unless you have the unit price for non E7 costomers.
By the way I am in east midlands region
steve
if you pay Gas 1.515p/kWh + VAT standing charge 11.29p/day + VAT, you are paying £43.15 standing charge (approx) per year, so there is no way I would be better off or save 2% per year. Also as I am not on E7 and there are no unit prices shown on Atlantics web site, so I can not see how you can say that "My supplier is 25% more expensive. You obviously did not look hard enough", unless you have the unit price for non E7 costomers.
By the way I am in east midlands region
steve
Sorry I do not have non E7 unit price so I can only say that your company for me would be 25% more which is around £120 per year a fairly significant difference.
Different areas are different prices but the various companies tend to track each other so I would expect the differences to be similar in other areas.
Whenever I have done a search on uswitch Atlantic has always come out the cheapest for me by a significant amount and my comparison to Equipower seems to confirm this.
Jeff
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