We all know a good value is what individuals need most from their power provider however there’s extra to contemplate. Whether or not you’re already an Octopus buyer, are considering of switching to us or are merely exploring your choices, we’ve put collectively a useful information on what to test when selecting your power provider.
Selecting an power provider
We give prospects fairly-priced inexperienced power with outrageously good service, so we hope we’re an ideal selection. If you’re choosing a provider, ask your self these questions:
Is their customer support as much as scratch?
TrustPilot critiques can reveal how nicely your new provider lives as much as its guarantees. Looking for our prospects has helped us turn out to be the UK’s most awarded power provider, having been awarded Which? Really useful Supplier for 7 years operating, and counting. Examine what makes us the UK’s most trusted and really useful provider.
Do they assist inexperienced power?
We’re main the UK to a sustainable power system by investing billions in wind and photo voltaic farms, and bringing you inexperienced tech like EVs and warmth pumps affordably.
Can they assist me cut back my power prices?
Selecting sensible tariffs and inexperienced tech can slash your carbon footprint and lower your expenses in your power payments on the similar time. Our prospects can get the newest sensible inexperienced tech along with our main sensible tariffs for savvy savers, EV drivers, and warmth pump or photo voltaic houses to save lots of a whole lot on their payments.
Do they provide rewards?
Sure, you learn it proper. Will you get any incentives or rewards for being a buyer? We’re well-known for our game-changing rewards programme, Octoplus, which rewards sensible meter prospects for making the grid greener with Saving Classes, provides free leccy when the grid is at its greenest plus hundreds extra possibilities to win improbable prizes.
What to test earlier than you turn
Earlier than switching take the time to know your present power deal and ask your self:
Is my new quote personalised to my house’s power use?
In the event you’ve already acquired a less expensive quote from a brand new provider, the probabilities are it’s based mostly in your estimated use and never precise use. Estimates are given based mostly on nationwide averages in your kind of family, so your quote received’t essentially be correct and will depart you with a nasty invoice shock whenever you get your first invoice out of your new provider.
Your present power provider will be capable to provide you with your actual power use figures, so you can also make positive any new quote is absolutely correct.
The right way to examine power costs for essentially the most correct quote
Month-to-month funds aren’t one of the simplest ways to check costs – use your unit charge and standing costs to ensure any new offers really stack up.
First step: discover how a lot power you employ:
Your estimated annual electrical energy consumption
Your estimated annual gasoline consumption
You’ll discover the knowledge you want in your power invoice. In the event you’re an Octopus buyer, you will discover this on web page two of your invoice. Take a look at our helpful annotated assertion information should you’re unsure. Or you may e mail us and we’ll be glad that can assist you.
Use these figures to get a quote in your new suppliers’ tariff to ensure your month-to-month value is decrease than what it prices along with your present provider. Once more, it’s higher if these figures are based mostly in your precise utilization and never estimated.
Second step: discover your present power costs:
Electrical energy
Unit charge:
Night time unit charge:
Standing cost:
Fuel
Unit charge:
Standing cost:
Use these to check the costs out of your new provider. Whoever is providing a decrease unit value and standing cost are cheaper!
In case your payments are estimated, you’ll need to submit an up-to-date meter studying to your present provider to generate an correct invoice to assist get your account so as earlier than a swap.
Future tip: In the event you don’t need the trouble of submitting common readings, contemplate getting a sensible meter when the time is true – they’ll provide you with tremendous correct payments and, with Octopus, you’ll get entry to cost-busting power insights in our app.
Is my present fee greater as a result of I’m paying off debt?
Your present provider could also be taking any debt into consideration when understanding your month-to-month funds. So, should you’re evaluating your present invoice to a quote from a brand new provider, it’s unlikely to be a real comparability as a result of the brand new quote received’t embody any debt however your present invoice will.
Have I constructed up lots of credit score on my account?
In case you have, and also you pay by Direct Debit, this might be an indication that you simply’re paying a bit an excessive amount of and will afford to scale back your funds or get a refund. We’ll all the time make suggestions to be sure you can cowl the price of the power you employ and get to a wholesome steadiness. With us you’re all the time in charge of your funds, and might change them or get a refund on-line while not having to contact us.
Our Stability Forecast instrument maps out your power steadiness over the subsequent 12 months, so you may see the influence of elevating or reducing your Direct Debit. You should utilize it to check out totally different fee quantities, resolve on one you are comfy with, and clearly see what your steadiness ought to appear like in a 12 months’s time.
Will I be charged exit charges to depart?
In the event you’re on a set tariff, test the size of your contract and whether or not you would need to pay to depart earlier than it ends. Exit charges differ from tariff to tariff however will be round £150, that’s £75 per gas on a one 12 months tariff. In the event you do need to pay exit charges, it may make an enormous distinction towards any potential financial savings of a less expensive deal, so be sure you test earlier than switching.
Do not forget that your provider cannot cost exit charges should you swap within the final 49 days of your mounted tariff.
