Recommendation for a Gas and Electricity supplier

We changed to Octopus and are getting excellent service and discounted rates.

I wouldn't dare. This month's star performer is next month's disaster company.

I am with one of the Big Six and I am staying with them. I just make sure that as each annual contract expires I sign up for another, so that I never end up on the standard variable rate. I also pay by quarterly direct debit so that I never get mired into arguments about monthly payment levels or getting back surpluses.

Even in retirement, cost benefit analysis can be applied. The cost is the time and hassle you go through changing suppliers. The benefit is all the time you can spend doing other more enjoyable activities.

Yes, it is probably more expensive

Teetime I am also with Octopus, I have always had excellent service and I now have a smart meter supplied and fitted by them. When I have been in contact it has been with a real person and none of this waiting for 10 working days nonsense for a reply.

Igloo at the moment but I change every year.

I'm with a Brilliant_Energy. Small company, low bills, English speaking UK company (Canary Wharf) and calls answered within 60 seconds.

But how long will they last Gabriella? 9 of the smaller companies have closed down in the last year.

I m with you Monica I can’t see how any changes do more than make you confused This ones best, oops no they’ve not on the top anymore, this ones over taken them, all change off we go again, get dizzy thinking about it I ll just stay where I am and no I don’t want a smart meter

Bluebelle This is why after a couple of years of hassle, I stick to one of the big six and just sign up for the lowest tariff each year, making sure I never go onto the variable rate. It saves me several days of cursing, swearing and raised blood pressure and, with the time saved, I can do something I enjoy doing instead.

I've been with Ovo for about 4 years now, and have excellent service. Although not one of the Big Six, they are now well established (and I really hope saying that doesn't bring a curse down on them!)
I pay the estimated monthly charge and get interest on the amount I am in credit for.

Not sure if this is helpful but we pay £108 per month for gas and electricity (I cook with electricity lots of casseroles etc and long slow cooking and tumble drying) for a four bedroom house with heating on all day from 7.30am to 10pm at 20 putting it up to 21/22 in the evening. when my sister took up our recommendation Octopus credited our account with £50- I dont see any sign of them folding.

BlueBelleI really had to have a smart meter fitted because I could no longer read the outside meters and it is so much easier for me.

I pay Octopus £67 a month for gas and electricity and one thing I like about them is that they are not changing my direct debit monthly as was happening when I was with one of the big 6.

Good Energy at the moment. We've not been with them long but are pleased so far. Excellent customer service and a knowledgeable person at the other end! It's not the cheapest, but is a "green" supplier; this is important to us.

No supplier is a green supplier. Part of the time, when the green supplier cannot put into the grid as much electricity as its customers are using then it relies on conventional power generators to make up the gap. OK, it then (hopes to) make up the gap by generating more than enough electricity at other times.

That is a bit like a vegan eating meat because they will otherwise have to miss lunch by promising that an omnivore friend will eat a vegan lunch another time to make up for it.

A truly green provider would turn customers off if it could not put enough power into the grid to meet their immediate power demand.

Thank you everyone for your comments, lots to think about.

We are at the moment still waiting for our last bill from Extra Energy so can't do anything until that happens as the details are with Scottish Power.
The two years we were with EE we had nothing but problems with them.

I use Firstutility, the only pain was emailing monthly readings, although good for accurate payments. Now awaiting smart meter. Their phone help is quick to respond and very helpful.

I am reluctant to change as my price comparison has come back more than double the price for the same energy used

At the moment I am in credit and last year had a refund of over £100

I pay duel fuel and by DD

There is no reason I should change energy supplier tbh

I was with Extra Energy too so I'm in exactly the same boat as you jeanie99 ! We were moved to Scottish Power and didn't have any choice. They took a DD payment of just under £100 a few days after they went bust (obviously I was unaware ) so not sure if that will even count? we still await final bills too so its like being in limbo .

I’d heard smart meters were the devil incarnate?

With bulb
No leaver fee
I think they are one of the green providers.
Have both gas and electric.
Pay monthly.
Can put readings in every month on account web site, if you so wish.
Had email the other day to day that whole sale energy costs have fallen and from 21at March they will be lowering their prices and will be cheaper big 6s standard tariffs.

@Urmstongran

My own sense tells me so -

I do not and will not have one in my home - It is not a legal gov requirement -yet

Oh and @Urmstongran They cost £100 for each

household which goes onto your bill -

We get ours from Pure Planet. My son put us on it. It does involve scrabbling on my knees to send meter readings by mobile phone. (completely here)

these people

I haven’t used the big suppliers for ages. I’m with Octopus right now but will be changing to Green Energy soon for small annual reduction. Have been with Ovo as well. They are all involved in Greener energy and the service for all has been good. Maybe someone could recommend you to Octopus. I hand a £50 credit when my daughter swapped and so did she (after 3 months). I’d still be with Octopus but Green is an 18 month fixed.