Octopus Energy

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:38 pm

I've been with edf for 8 year's but they have started to rip us off and last couple of month's they have computer problems and haven't billed me, then billed me yesterday for six month's worth and wanted 924 quid lol, anyway I've switched to Octopus energy and look to save around 350 quid a year, if you are considering switching click this link, http://share.octopus.energy/clean-newt-241 and we both get a 50 quid gift, also can anyone who uses Octopus energy let me know what they are like to deal with, jesus it must be pre season if I'm looking at energy deals

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:45 pm

Swapped about a year ago, they seem great to deal with, I get emailed statements. And once I've built up a pot after over paying I can take it out as and when.

Just to add, when I get called up, or stopped at the shopping centres for energy "who you with for your gas and electricity sir" soon as I say octopus, many just says oh you're on a good deal then..

So, so far so good.
Hope they keep it up once fully established and become one of "the big boys"

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:46 pm

The best deal I got was with Bulb and so moved from British Gas.

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:50 pm

Switched to octopus in may. So far they have been great. I switched for eon who are single handedly the worst company I've ever had to deal with.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:52 pm

We moved to "Bulb" in the spring ...

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:55 pm

If anybody is with Octopus, I'd compare prices with Bulb. I've just checked and Bulb is about £5 per month less for me.

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:58 pm

MACCA wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:45 pm
Swapped about a year ago, they seem great to deal with, I get emailed statements. And once I've built up a pot after over paying I can take it out as and when.

Just to add, when I get called up, or stopped at the shopping centres for energy "who you with for your gas and electricity sir" soon as I say octopus, many just says oh you're on a good deal then..

So, so far so good.
Hope they keep it up once fully established and become one of "the big boys"

Thank's for the feed back, edf started out at £112 dd per month on a fixed tariff but within the year they had put it up to 226 a month without me really taking any notice when I rang them they said I was using more energy so altered the dd so I wouldn't under pay over the year...trouble was at the end of the year I was 700 quid in credit (overpayment) yet they still wanted to up the dd amount lol, I hope Octopus energy work out as good as they advertise

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:02 pm

Bulb look very good also, it was a simple flip of a coin between Bulb and Octopus.....bloody hell I need the football season to start again, I'll be walking around b&q next

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:07 pm

Been with octopus a couple of years now. Very good, and even paid me to use energy early in the lockdown when there was too much electricity and gas stocked up. Its one of the few companies I've been with that seem to estimate the monthly payments correctly.

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:13 pm

"I've been with that seem to estimate the monthly payments correctly."

exactly what I've been looking for

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:26 pm

How much are people paying with Octopus? My gas averages at around £25 a month over the year.

LordBob · Post by **LordBob** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:35 pm

Thinking of doing the switch heard some good reviews.

bfcjg · Post by **bfcjg** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:48 pm

Switch to Ova energy from Octopus, you'll be squids in.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:52 pm

bfcjg wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:48 pm
Switch to Ova energy from Octopus, you'll be squids in.

6 quid saving?

Fretters · Post by **Fretters** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:11 pm

I'm with Octopus - what I like about them is you can just reply to their emails if you want to ask something (like to have your DD amended) instead of navigating various FAQ sections on their website or spending 20 minutes on the phone.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:16 pm

I'd recommend that anyone considering changing their supplier should have a look at Ovo,

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:29 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:16 pm
I'd recommend that anyone considering changing their supplier should have a look at Ovo,

I moved from ovo to octopus, now paying about £30 a month less, and iam still in credit, so for me a lot cheaper than ovo, and very easy to deal with.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:29 pm

Been with Octopus for 18 months. Decent price but they are one of the best companies I’ve found for online systems - no hassle, everything works as it should. That shouldn’t be unusual - but it is

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:54 pm

Worth switching (or checking at least) every year.

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:07 pm

Grumps wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:29 pm
I moved from ovo to octopus, now paying about £30 a month less, and iam still in credit, so for me a lot cheaper than ovo, and very easy to deal with.

Bear in mind that with most companies you should be in credit during the summer as they build up a surplus for the increased winter costs. Although plenty of them seem to get carried away with this surplus ...

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:21 pm

Be careful they don’t grab you by the tentacles

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 4:09 pm

aggi wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:07 pm
Bear in mind that with most companies you should be in credit during the summer as they build up a surplus for the increased winter costs. Although plenty of them seem to get carried away with this surplus ...

Yep, fully aware, and with octopus you can get your credit paid back to you quickly if you wish. Ive stayed in credit over 2 winters,despite paying £30 less per month than ovo.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:12 pm

ClaretMov wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:38 pm
I've been with edf for 8 year's but they have started to rip us off and last couple of month's they have computer problems and haven't billed me, then billed me yesterday for six month's worth and wanted 924 quid lol, anyway I've switched to Octopus energy and look to save around 350 quid a year, if you are considering switching cut and paste this link, share.octopus.energy/clean-newt-241 and we both get a 50 quid gift, also can anyone who uses Octopus energy let me know what they are like to deal with, jesus it must be pre season if I'm looking at energy deals

I have signed up from your link.

Enjoy your 50 quid.

Certainly cheaper than what I am paying.

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:17 pm

Cheers its nice we get cheaper bills and both get 50 quid to

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:09 pm

I found myself with Octopus when they bought my previous supplier. Took a look at what they offer and fixed for a year.

They are well rated by Which. I've also seen that their customer facing IT systems have a good reputation even to the extent that they let other suppliers use their IT - and make money from it. This is the big deciding factor between "good" and "bad" energy suppliers. The old big legacy suppliers are a "prisoner" of their old IT. There are also small new entrants with poor IT systems. New suppliers, with good IT will be the "winners" in the competitive residential supply market - most of the other costs are the same for all of them, providing they have a sensible approach to managing wholesale price risks.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:25 pm

Grumps wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:29 pm
I moved from ovo to octopus, now paying about £30 a month less, and iam still in credit, so for me a lot cheaper than ovo, and very easy to deal with.

Just done a comparison between my Ovo deal and what's on offer with Octopus and my Ovo deal is cheaper. So seems to depend on which deal you're on and your usage.

clarethomer · Post by **clarethomer** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:30 pm

We are with Octopus and no issues with them. I have an EV so I went with them to get access to one of their flexible tariffs (Go and Agile).

Unfortunately the smart meter upgrade I needed was cancelled due to lock down so waiting for them to get to me again.

Their app is good to use and I find their website easy to use and the I have used both their emails, website, and phone number to contact them over a few things in relation to sorting out the new meter but always fast to respond and easy to interact with.

I know that there are a few people on here that have already rated them but if you want to check out there prices AND want to get £50 credit on your first bill - I have shared my referral code below

https://share.octopus.energy/green-seal-882

To be fully transparent this would also give me £50 credit too.

I am happy to donate this to the Clarets Foodbank if this was something you would like to support.

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:31 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:25 pm
Just done a comparison between my Ovo deal and what's on offer with Octopus and my Ovo deal is cheaper. So seems to depend on which deal you're on and your usage.

The trouble I found with ovo is they always underestimate, so you think you've got a good deal, then within months they up the direct debit. I was paying 150 quid to ovo by the end, now paying 120 with octopus, probably using more energy during lockdown, and still 160 quid in credit... I've now signed two deals with them, and not once has the dd gone up during the 12 month term.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:35 pm

Grumps wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:31 pm
The trouble I found with ovo is they always underestimate, so you think you've got a good deal, then within months they up the direct debit. I was paying 150 quid to ovo by the end, now paying 120 with octopus, probably using more energy during lockdown, and still 160 quid in credit... I've now signed two deals with them, and not once has the dd gone up during the 12 month term.

Not sure just what you mean by 'they always underestimate'? I now have a Smart meter so monthly usage is always accurate and before that I always submitted actual monthly readings, so in both cases usage was always 100% accurate.

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:44 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:35 pm
Not sure just what you mean by 'they always underestimate'? I now have a Smart meter so monthly usage is always accurate and before that I always submitted actual monthly readings, so in both cases usage was always 100% accurate.

When you sign up, give them last 12months usage, they give you a monthly cost, which I found they underestimate, so you sign up, then a few months later they say dd is too low, so up it. Never happened with octopus, I also had smart meter with both companies.

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:48 pm

Grumps wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:44 pm
When you sign up, give them last 12months usage, they give you a monthly cost, which I found they underestimate, so you sign up, then a few months later they say dd is too low, so up it. Never happened with octopus, I also had smart meter with both companies.

But when you know your annual usage and the kwh price they are quoting it's easy to work out just what your annual costs should be, to then compare that with what they are stating it'll be.

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:54 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:48 pm
But when you know your annual usage and the kwh price they are quoting it's easy to work out just what your annual costs should be, to then compare that with what they are stating it'll be.

Ok

Svenster · Post by **Svenster** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:54 pm

If you would like to save money (guaranteed) and bring more money into your home, you can email me at inaminner@yahoo.co.uk and I'll give you all the details.

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:30 pm

Grumps wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:31 pm
The trouble I found with ovo is they always underestimate, so you think you've got a good deal, then within months they up the direct debit. I was paying 150 quid to ovo by the end, now paying 120 with octopus, probably using more energy during lockdown, and still 160 quid in credit... I've now signed two deals with them, and not once has the dd gone up during the 12 month term.

One of the “kickers” with Octopus is that you have to send them readings on the app each month (or sooner which I do).

I was quoted £65 a month but chose to pay £70 a month on my direct debit for a 3 bed house with average usage. Then each time I send my readings it just takes off what I have on my balance from the £70. You can also change your payment amount per month on the app which could not be easier.

I’m currently in £110 credit with Octopus after 6 months with my next payment due in a few days which I’ll just let build up for my winter bills...... so they definitely didn’t underestimate - if anything they overestimated at £65.

(That Last monthly bill wasn’t for the month but for a week)

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:54 pm

I’m on Octopus Go with an electric car and smart meters which I plug in using an Anderson charger which can be turned on and off in the middle of the night between 12:30 and 4:30 so it charges at Octopus Go’s ultra-cheap rate of 5p - the suppliers are desperate for us to use electricity then.

We also schedule the dishwasher and tumble drier to come on then too. Probably saves us £500 per year in addition to the normal EV fuel saving.

The amount of money we all waste on overpaying for overly complex energy deals must be tens of billions annually.

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 2:55 pm

I looked at Octopus for the that reason, the 5p Electric at night, great for the Electric car

clarethomer · Post by **clarethomer** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:25 pm

what ev's have you got?

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:13 pm

I am electricity only so do Octopus cater for that?

Raggus · Post by **Raggus** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:15 pm

Yes mkmel, that’s what I’m on as there is no gas in our village, we moved To octopus and saved a fortune a couple of years ago.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:20 pm

A quick Google on Bulb vs Octopus:

Bulb won the 'best value for money' category in Uswitch's 2020 Energy Awards, with Ocotpus named runner-up. However, it's important to remember that energy prices differ depending on where you live in the UK, and how much energy you use. The only way to find out which supplier offers the best energy deal in your area is to run a quick energy comparison and see which tariff is cheaper.

When we looked, we found very little difference in price when it comes to the cheapest fixed tariff from Octopus versus Bulb. Our energy price comparison showed just a 4p price difference a month when we got a quote for the average yearly household consumption of 4,000kWh of electricity and 12,000 kWh of gas (April 2020).

A couple of people above have linked their Octopus saving link, where you get £50 credit. If anybody wishes to do the same with Bulb, let me know your email and I'll send the link over.

chekhov · Post by **chekhov** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:37 pm

FCBurnley wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:21 pm
Be careful they don’t grab you by the tentacles

Sorry to be pedantic but shouldn’t that be with the tentacles?

clarethomer · Post by **clarethomer** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:41 pm

Having been on Bulb and now Octopus, they are both great providers and similar on standard tariffs.

Where I have found Octopus being market leading is with their Agile tarrif. Paying people to use electricity when there is excess energy on the grid for example. On ev groups that I am members of where they have already invested in solar and batteries at home (which I accept is a minority) they have actually been able to pay nothing or be paid for their electricity usage over a month. Really interesting to see the direction of travel.

Untinted Glasses · Post by **Untinted Glasses** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 5:36 pm

I haven't read the whole thread but for those with octopus it will be worth applying to go on the "octopus go" tariff. From 12:30pm-4am its 5p / kw . I set the car to charge through this time, saves a fortune.

claretfm · Post by **claretfm** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:18 pm

I have just signed up to the Octopus Energy. Many thanks clarethomer I used the link you provided and look forward to better service than EON.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:04 pm

I've been shafted by Npower for years. I once tried to switch to EDF but was told I couldn't as I have 2 meters. We have no gas in our village so heating comes from Economy 7 - hence the 2 meters.

Does anybody else have the same setup and managed to switch?

Frenchclaret · Post by **Frenchclaret** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 2:57 pm

Thank you ClaretMov. I have just left Eon and signed up to Octopus. Expect £50 coming your way and I hope I get the same! It appears to be much cheaper than the big companies but I will let you know in about a year’s time. Here’s hoping.
Frenchclaret

Im_not_Robbie_Blake · Post by **Im_not_Robbie_Blake** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 3:48 pm

We have just gone with Pure Planet. Hope we didn't make a mistake by doing so.

Lowbankclaret · Post by **Lowbankclaret** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:38 pm

ClaretMov wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 28, 2020 12:58 pm
Thank's for the feed back, edf started out at £112 dd per month on a fixed tariff but within the year they had put it up to 226 a month without me really taking any notice when I rang them they said I was using more energy so altered the dd so I wouldn't under pay over the year...trouble was at the end of the year I was 700 quid in credit (overpayment) yet they still wanted to up the dd amount lol, I hope Octopus energy work out as good as they advertise

I have been with octopus for over a year now, I was about £400 plus at the end of last Summer, they credited my account with £360 and reduced the DD. I am currently about £130 plus Which will go over winter.

So far so good!

ClaretMov · Post by **ClaretMov** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:02 pm

I switch next week so looking forward to seeing how it goes

clarethomer · Post by **clarethomer** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:15 pm

I have just called them today and get my new smart meter install later this month.

The ability to get their EV plans will mean that I can now get 500miles of travel for £6.66 compared to the £70+ I was spending in my diesel.

I may even get paid to charge my car up if I decide to go on the Agile tariff. Need to do my calcs to see which one is most likely to benefit me most. Here is a video of the CEO explaining how they can pay you to use energy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc9UJRHdqm0&t=872s

I found the same with Bulb in that simple tariffs and technology seem to improve the issues you get with prices going up and down and frustration of having to deal with call centres etc.

Octopus did increase mine slightly at the start but that was because we went into lockdown, all 4 of us at home and 2 working. i.e more usage. They/I didn't know that my usage would go up when I joined but its seems to be collecting about £30 more than actual use at the moment, which will build me up for winter just fine.

Whilst I know these companies are the cheapest, they are certainly not the most expensive and offer good value and value clean energy sources.