[Closed] Switch energy supplier - Is it worth it? Just do it?

NPower have/had the most dubious practices of the big 6 IMO and I'll never use them again.

You should switch to a fixed tarrif from a supplier who hasn't yet put there prices up, presumably exactly what you're presently considering.

Just sign up to the new company, they will do the rest. Take meter readings on the day you sign up, and again on the 'go live' date such that you can double check there assumptions (if indeed they do use a predicted reading, they may ask for an actual). Switching should only take a matter of weeks but sometimes in can take longer. Just cancel your direct debit (if you have one) then it'll be you owing them money not the other way around. They can take as long as they like then!

I'd not bother switching for <£50 but I certainly would for £400! As long as you're not in a contract with cancellation fees there nothing to pay and nothing that npower can do.

I've seen that I have £180 in credit with them. What's the best way to secure that payout?

There are loads of energy suppliers on the comparison site that I've not heard of, but then I wouldn't have as I'm not in the trade. Are there energy suppliers that I should avoid?

You should just get it back automatically, by direct debit or cheque. If all goes smoothly you'll get switched over pretty quickly, the old supplier will stop taking the DD and the new one will start. Any credit will be refunded. If there's a problem/delay or 2 DDs are being taken, just cancel the one to the old supplier. The energy comparison websites should also have customer satisfaction star ratings to give you a clue, I reckon they're much of a muchness though. The big ones are Scottish Power, NPower, EDF, EON, British Gas and Southern iirc.

And do excuse the poor grammar in my first post, a small noisy person was distracting me!

Energy pricing is now just like car insurance, mortgages, savings accounts, etc. in that they actively punish loyalty. You need to switch every time your introductory rate finishes. The first time you switch, you might save a decent amount. From then on, you need to switch just to maintain a half decent rate. My most recent switch meant that my bill only went up by £300 rather than £600.

I did it last year and it was very easy. I went from NPower to Ovo who have been fine so far)

Should I just go with one of them as it's cheaper?

Make sure to sign up for TopCashback (or Quidco) and sign-up via these for maximum savings (may take a few months to come through but always has so far)

We switch every time our fixed Tariff comes to an end. We've just signed up with M&S fixed for 2 years as they were the cheapest. It's very easy and painless and any credit due will be sorted and returned. I wouldn't hesitate, providers never look after their existing customers.

I switched to OVO ages ago and cannot fault them so far,have also used EBICO in the past.
I refuse to use any of the BIG 6, support the little man!