Don’t be put off – switch energy supplier and save
Each week I receive loads of complaints about energy providers, usually from people who are furious with the way they’ve been treated. But when I ask if the problem has prompted them to move to another provider, the answer is often no – either because ‘it’s too much hassle’ or ‘the energy firms are all the same’.
This is a shame, because you can save hundreds of pounds by switching providers and strict rules from regulator OFGEM mean the process should be straightforward.
Unfortunately, one in four consumers who have switched their energy supplier in the past two years told Resolver in a recent survey that they encountered problems when they made the move. The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement from OFGEM that over one million people had been overcharged during the switching process.
But don’t let that put you off. The fact that the regulator is clamping down on switching errors is good news for all of us.
There’s never been a better time to ditch the ex and start a new relationship with an energy provider.
HOW TO SWITCH AND SAVE
It can be a little overwhelming looking at energy deals on switching sites but don’t just go for the cheapest option – check a few things before committing.
Some cheaper deals lock you in to the agreement for a longer time, and there could be a fee for leaving earlier in the contract.
Have a look at what people are saying online about customer service. Some of the best firms I deal with are relatively new on the scene – but have won loyal customers through investing in customer service. So don’t be afraid to try something new.
There are loads of energy switching comparison sites. Have a look at them to get a feel for deals that could benefit you – but bear in mind they don’t have all the deals on their comparison tables.
Look for the ‘confidence code’ – tinyurl.com/h94bbjk3 – OFGEM’s code of practice for comparison services created to help make the switching process easier and more reliable. And MoneySavingExpert has a fab energy switching club at clubs.moneysavingexpert.com/ cheapenergyclub.
A lot of people are telling me that they’re worried about switching to a smaller energy company as a lot of them have gone bust in recent years. But fear not. OFGEM has a scheme that will automatically transfer you over to a new provider if the current one goes under.
READY TO SWICH? LET’S GO!
You need the name of your current supplier, the tariff you’re on (it’s on your bill) and your postcode.
I’d recommend giving an up-todate meter reading to your current service provider too, just so you can find out if your bill is in credit or debit (now’s the best time to switch as in the summer we use less energy).
Get in touch with the new company and start the process. They should deal with any issues over charging while the switch is in progress so if there’s any confusion speak to them first about final bills.
Annoyingly, you’ll pay less by paying by direct debit, which isn’t really fair, but that’s the case with most service providers.
OFGEM says the switch-over process can take up to 21 days. In most cases, it’s around 17 days.
The new rules say that you should get a refund of any outstanding credit within 10 days of getting the final bill – and the final bill from the old provider should take no longer that six weeks.
If something goes wrong, there are compensation limits for all kinds of things. If the old company fails to refund you in time, for example, it’s an automatic £30 in compensation.
Finally, the energy industry has an Energy Ombudsman – a free service you can go to if you’re not happy with how an energy business has dealt with a complaint. Don’t suffer in silence – get help!