Energy Usage Switch.....

[ToraToraTora]

Hi I'm currently looking to change energy suppliers, Uswitch is coming up with these as the top 6, any recommendations, warnings, opinions, suggestions?
I want to save money of course but not if the outfit is a complete administrative nightmare, thanks
1) Avro Energy
2) EVO Energy
3) SO Energy
4) Pure Planet
5) British Gas EVOLVE
6) Octopus Energy

[dannyk13]

I am with Octopus and am quite satisfied with it.

[bhg481]

I was with Octopus until last year when our local council got us a good deal with SO Energy. I have been very happy with both companies.

[emmie]

im with EDF and have negotiated my contract with them, im quite happy with what i pay per month.

[barry1010]

I've used unknown energy companies and been okay with them - one ceased trading part way through but it wasn't a big deal.
The worst energy company I have ever used is Scottish Power - it took months with the ombudsman to sort the problems out.
I just look at the cost these days.

[ToraToraTora]

oddly enough barry, I'm with Scottish Power now!

[Hopkirk]

I'm with British Gas Evolve. No problems, except I have to read my meter every month. So much for having a smart meter!

[198kHz]

I recently started a second year with SO Energy. Competitive price, accurate bills and excellent customer service. Easy to navigate website too.

[ToraToraTora]

198khz, do you have a smart meter and do they require meter readings?

[ladybirder]

Octopus is a WHICH Best Buy. That's where I'm going to move to next.

[New Judge]

I'm in my second year with Avro (they've come up with the best deal two years running). No problems at all. Easy to use website for submitting meter readings and viewing bills and I had around £40 credit at the end of my first year which they returned within a week. No stipulations to have a smart meter.

[198kHz]

Tora: I send readings two days before the billing date each month, as I've always done with previous suppliers. I believe the usual requirement with most companies is they want readings at least quarterly.
I don't have, or want, smart meters, and SO have never pushed me to have one.

[Hopkirk]

We've got a smart meter, as it was a new build.
I have yet to find any benefit whatsoever.

[brainiac]

Hopkirk - the only benefit is to the supplier, who get remote access to readings and your supply. I was a happy Npower customer, and when they folded, my account was taken over by E.ON Next, who have insisted that I agree to a smart meter to get their best tariff, even though I was providing quarterly readings without fail.

[barry1010]

I discovered just this week that my smart meter really is saving me money! My cooker has only one oven so I use a convection/microwave oven when I'm cooking smaller things. I assumed a smaller cavity to heat would use less energy.
My smart meter proved just how wrong I was. Unless I use the small convection for less than 20 minutes my main oven is much cheaper to run. I don't know how that works but I was very surprised. My main oven must be better insulated.

[Hopkirk]

I wish it DID give them remote access to my readings.
That would stop their monthly insistence that I send them my own reading.