Discover Hertford Online Forum

Archived Topic

Topic ID 1878

21/08/2006 by nora batty

Utility costs

Having done a bit of research, it seems that I have been buying my gas and electricity from the most expensive suppliers for this area (British Gas, NPower) and have been advised to switch to Atlantic, which is the supposedly the cheapest for this area. Has anyone else switched providers recently? There used to be a local guy (ex VW dealer Douglas-Stewart, I think?) who was supplying "green" energy - exactly the same electricity but somehow investing in more eco-friendly production? Does anyone know anything about this?


0 replies

Archived Replies

Reply ID 23736

21/08/2006 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
...have been advised to switch to Atlantic
By whom?


Reply ID 23739

21/08/2006 by nora batty

quote:
Originally posted by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
...have been advised to switch to Atlantic
By whom?
USwitch. Free advisory service.


Reply ID 23740

21/08/2006 by JohnSmith

http://www.uswitch.com/ is probably where the information came from. I had npower knock on my door on Saturday. I hate these people who try to tell me that they are cheaper when I know that they're not.


Reply ID 23749

21/08/2006 by Joby

quote:
Originally posted by JohnSmith
http://www.uswitch.com/ is probably where the information came from. I had npower knock on my door on Saturday. I hate these people who try to tell me that they are cheaper when I know that they're not.
I've had British Gas ring me 3 times over the last few months trying to get me to do the price-fixing-for-two-years thing (still can't decide whether this is a good idea or not- the Yorkshire in me thinks it's a rip-off!) Each time I've said "can I think about it?" I've been informed that "the offer closes today", only for them to ring me again a few weeks later with the exact same offer. Lying gets. As an alternative to uswitch you could also try simplyswitch.com


Reply ID 23754

21/08/2006 by farrowandfarrow

We used USwitch and moved from Powergen to Scottish Power who were best for our requirements as well as being cheaper. Had a really hard sell on the doorstep a while ago from either Eon UK or a Transo subsidiary group. Didn't like the pressure tactics to sign on the spot or the offer was off.


Reply ID 23758

21/08/2006 by nora batty

quote:
Originally posted by Joby I've had British Gas ring me 3 times over the last few months trying to get me to do the price-fixing-for-two-years thing (still can't decide whether this is a good idea or not- the Yorkshire in me thinks it's a rip-off!) Each time I've said "can I think about it?" I've been informed that "the offer closes today", only for them to ring me again a few weeks later with the exact same offer. Lying gets. As an alternative to uswitch you could also try simplyswitch.com
This article mentions the price freeze deal... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/08/19/cmenergy19.xml


Reply ID 23764

21/08/2006 by Sargasso

We're with Atlantic for both gas and leccy as suggested by USwitch. No complaints so far (about 3 months). I'm kinda thinking I'll do a check every year as it appears to be free to switch between suppliers.


Reply ID 23766

21/08/2006 by nora batty

OK. Have located the Ware company that is offering green energy. http://www.greenenergy.uk.com/index.aspx


Reply ID 23772

21/08/2006 by Tigger

quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
Having done a bit of research, it seems that I have been buying my gas and electricity from the most expensive suppliers for this area (British Gas, NPower) and have been advised to switch to Atlantic, which is the supposedly the cheapest for this area. Has anyone else switched providers recently? There used to be a local guy (ex VW dealer Douglas-Stewart, I think?) who was supplying "green" energy - exactly the same electricity but somehow investing in more eco-friendly production? Does anyone know anything about this?
Nora, keep us posted as we are going to change our supplier from British Gas, I have been advised to check USwitch, saved me a bit of a trawl, Thanks.


Reply ID 23777

21/08/2006 by Andrew

We switched to Scottish Power from the "legacy" providers about 18 months ago, and so far despite their almost unfathomable website and billing system we are saving money. The problem, though, is that many suppliers are leap frogging each other with price rises, so the cheapest today, will not be cheapest tomorrow etc etc. The current situation with so many suppliers and ever changing tarrifs for supplying the same stuff as everyone else is using is truly bizarre.


Reply ID 23780

21/08/2006 by Spotty Dog

quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
Having done a bit of research, it seems that I have been buying my gas and electricity from the most expensive suppliers for this area (British Gas, NPower) and have been advised to switch to Atlantic, which is the supposedly the cheapest for this area. Has anyone else switched providers recently? There used to be a local guy (ex VW dealer Douglas-Stewart, I think?) who was supplying "green" energy - exactly the same electricity but somehow investing in more eco-friendly production? Does anyone know anything about this?
Have been with Atlantic for a couple of years and they still show up as the cheapest supplier on the switch sites. They are helpful when called, apart from that don't have much to do with them. They also give you a 1 month loyalty bonus every year you are with them, however this is included in the switch quotations. The Guardian website has a really good guide to switching and green electricity.


Reply ID 23927

22/08/2006 by gregb

quote:
Originally posted by Andrew
We switched to Scottish Power from the "legacy" providers about 18 months ago, and so far despite their almost unfathomable website and billing system we are saving money. The problem, though, is that many suppliers are leap frogging each other with price rises, so the cheapest today, will not be cheapest tomorrow etc etc. The current situation with so many suppliers and ever changing tarrifs for supplying the same stuff as everyone else is using is truly bizarre.
I think now IS the time to swtich. Once one supplier raises their prices then they all do within 2 or 3 months. It's never advisable to compare suppliers when they are all in the middle of raising prices. I believe British Gas were the first to up the prices recently and I now believe all the others have followed suit so now is a good time to check. This is a good article on the subject.... http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103281560,22751, In fact the http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1103281560,22751, site gives good advice on all money matters. It's very very worthwhile signing up for the free newsletter - I've saved plenty since checking this site.


12 replies