Utility price comparison sites

Kronos · 13 Jun 2015 at 10:45

Looking to go dual fuel with one supplier rather than a different one for gas and electricity. Currently looking at Money Supermarket and Uswitch comparison websites and the same company companies come top of the list in both sites yet they are different in what I would be paying and saving for the same plan on both sites.. Exactly the same information inputted in both.

Is there a reputable comparison site or is it all pretty hit and miss?

Amp34 · 13 Jun 2015 at 11:21

Comparison sites should be used as a guide to which companies you should check. You mention the same companies come out top so go to the top 2 or three and input your data directly and see which one comes out best, then go with them.

Make sure you are signed up to Quidco or top cashback as well, then make sure you go through their sites before you finally sign up, that way you should be able to get a nice chunk of money back.

Haggisman · 13 Jun 2015 at 11:22

Just go with OVO - changed to them recently and it's been like a breath of fresh air* after leaving Npower!

I'm paying 30% less, have had no problems (unlike Npower), and if I ever need to speak to someone I can get through to someone who speaks and understands English within a couple of minutes

*As much as changing energy provider can be

Did I mention not to go anywhere near Npower?

el_dazza · 13 Jun 2015 at 11:26

The number of customers that switch to the supplier I work for that despise OVO.. And 42.5p per day standing charge is just :eek:

And yeah don't touch npower. By far the most expensive.

darael · 13 Jun 2015 at 11:35

The standing charge for both my gas and electric is 24.66p/day each. Not exactly the 42.5p/day you mention.

kindai · 13 Jun 2015 at 11:39

First: Utility,

Our first bill from then came in at 1/3rd the cost of British gas.

el_dazza · 13 Jun 2015 at 11:51

darael said:
The standing charge for both my gas and electric is 24.66p/day each. Not exactly the 42.5p/day you mention.

For prepayment theirs is that high, npower's is 11.5 iirc but their unit rate is 16.8 which is ridiculous.

SixTwoSix · 13 Jun 2015 at 12:03

2 things

1) Use topcashback, just got £42 from using simplyswitch for dual fuel.

2) Actually go through your last 12 months of bills, work out exactly how much you spent over the year and for economy 7, the percentage of which was day or nighttime use.

The estimations on site put me at a £200/year saving, when I entered the actual yearly usage, the saving was £380/year for the best deal.

TheStarkFactor · 13 Jun 2015 at 14:02

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

BDEE · 13 Jun 2015 at 14:04

When people post on here about mines the cheapest blah blah please remember that prices are different in different parts of the country, some suppliers cannot supply people with local gas transportation requirements, and price is very dependent on how people use their energy - What level of use for each energy etc, so just coming on and saying "XXX is the cheapest" really is not helpful at all for the OP and the question they have asked. In addition the suppliers change tariffs so often that what they have now is very unlikely to be what you have now unless you only recently switched.

Trifid · 13 Jun 2015 at 14:05

kindai said:
First: Utility,

Our first bill from then came in at 1/3rd the cost of British gas.

That's all well and good, but what did your actual usage cost?

When I looked, First Utility were the cheapest.

Glaucus · 13 Jun 2015 at 14:06

^^^
And it depends how much you use to who is cheaper

Comparison sites for utilities are absolutely trash, i'll never trust them again.

Kronos · 13 Jun 2015 at 14:24

The different comparison companies. Exactly the same information in each. And three different quotes from the same companies as seen here.

Edrof · 13 Jun 2015 at 15:16

Is it a hassle to switch? What do you actually have to do? I'm with British Gas...

Glaucus · 13 Jun 2015 at 15:17

Edrof said:
Is it a hassle to switch? What do you actually have to do? I'm with British Gas...

Nothing really, sign up with who ever you want and wait a few weeks. They do everything.

Unless it goes wrong.

antijoke · 13 Jun 2015 at 15:37

TheStarkFactor said:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

This.

I've used it for 14 months now and just switched from ovo to new provider based on the data. And it constantly lets you know if you can save.

Highly recommend you looking into this.

el_dazza · 13 Jun 2015 at 15:53

Edrof said:
Is it a hassle to switch? What do you actually have to do? I'm with British Gas...

Apply with a new supplier, switchover takes approx 4 weeks. If you have any outstanding balance then it may be an idea to clear this first or they may raise an objection to the switch. Not much else could cause any problems other than that really.

Kronos · 13 Jun 2015 at 16:25

Having an outstanding balance should not prove an obstacle as you can pay it off. Just take a reading and then ask your current supplier for a bill. If you can access your account online it will tell you if you are in debit or not and usually you can make a payment though your account.

el_dazza · 13 Jun 2015 at 16:33

It's totally up to the supplier. Some will raise an objection for 50p outstanding. Of course if you can pay it off then by all means do this first.

Edrof · 13 Jun 2015 at 16:38

Glaucus said:
Nothing really, sign up with who ever you want and wait a few weeks. They do everything.

Unless it goes wrong.

el_dazza said:
Apply with a new supplier, switchover takes approx 4 weeks. If you have any outstanding balance then it may be an idea to clear this first or they may raise an objection to the switch. Not much else could cause any problems other than that really.

Thank you. I suppose I have no choice but to stop being lazy.

Utility price comparison sites

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