Switching Energy Suppliers

[DeeLicious]

Which is the quickest and easiest way to switch energy suppliers? Which suppliers would you recommend?

[gingejbee]

More to the point....which suppliers does Which? recommend. Worth finding out....and it's none of the "big six".

[mccfluff]

both my colleagues have moved to avro and are pleased with them and the service

[ummmm]

I'm with BG. When our electricity went they sent someone, problem with the very old fuse board, I was expecting to be charged but we wasn't.

[DTCwordfan]

Was with M&S/SSE until recently and now Green Energy here....and no complaints so far. Why Green - price and they get a good service review.

[4candles]

Forget all the faffing around with complex tariff comparisons and try
https://bulb.co.uk/
Economic, responsive on phone/email, customer forum, no contract.
They refund any exit fees imposed by your present supplier, and charge no fees themselves if you leave.

[snags]

^ I've been looking recently and Bulb seem worth a quote. Good reviews online too.

[andres]

^^^^ We moved to Bulb a few months ago. So far very pleased .

[4candles]

Re: 'Which is the quickest and easiest way...'
It's similar to broadband switching - it's gainer led, so you don't need to 'cancel' anything.
Sign up with the new supplier, and the switch is usually in about 21 days. They will then ask for an initial reading, which they will pass to your old supplier so the final bill can be calculated.
That can be up to 6 weeks

[4candles]

PS
Don't cancel any DD you have with the old supplier until all bills are settled, or it may stall the process.

[DeeLicious]

Which recommends Octopus Energy. Anyone had experience of them?

[Jennykenny]

I use OVO. Find them excellent. Came with a Which recommendation.

[anotheoldgit]

Do you have to inform them of your usage over a set period?

[HansUrbancka]

If my energy supplier is unable to give me a good deal to stay with them, it is very unlikely that I will get a better deal by going elsewhere.

Initially a swap to another supplier may appear to be beneficial but in time one could be worse off. Prices increase to a higher level than one was paying to the original supplier and to leave the then present supplier can involve a contract cancellation fee.

Stay where you are and over a period of time you will Not be any worse off.

Hans.

[bhg481]

We switched to Octopus Energy several months ago. No problems, They ask you to read your meter every month but it's only for information so that you can see how your balance is doing. Go for it.

[thesshhh]

Is what Hans says correct? If so, why are we constantly advised to switch suppliers?

[New Judge]

"Do you have to inform them of your usage over a set period?"

So that you can be provided with an estimate of the cost (so that you can compare) then yes you do. Most companies allow you to provide either your Kwh consumption (if you know it) or the amount you spend (they will work out your consumption from the tariff you are on).

[youngmafbog]

It's easy to switch - it's all done for you.

As for the best that rather depends on your requirements and usage. What is good for one person is not for another.

I switched to Ovo some time back. For me ( 6 bed 3 reception detached so high usage) a good price and they are good with the service( No arguments or persistent pestering when I told them I didnt want a smart meter).

[4candles]

@thesshhh
"Is what Hans says correct? If so, why are we constantly advised to switch suppliers?"
It depends on who you're with and on what tariff, but in general, no.
I'd agree that there's no point in constantly switching, but that's the beauty of Bulb. They have ONE simple tariff - no term, no contract, no exit fee. Not necessarily THE cheapest this month, but always among the lowest.