Switching electric/gas providers (see first post for links)

The pricing they list there is way off. Its not based on the new Bord Gais rates or even their previous rates so the rate you'll actually get is not the rate they list on the website. It'll be 33% off the new bord Gais urban 24hr rate which is about 48.19 cent per kilowatt hour. So in the order of 32.28 cent ish. Way off the 22 cent they say it'll be.

That big switch deal looks like a great deal, compare it to the only 24hr offer on their website at the moment, 10% off the same unit rate!

Lots of the companies have cut down on the big % off unit tariff in the last week, and giving cashback and a smaller unit rate discount. That's ok for me as a low usage consumer cashback looks better at about 2700kwh a year, but if you are using 4200 kwh a year its about 177 euro cheaper than SSE, which is the next cheapest 24hr offer available now for 4200kwh (these figures are based on offers today and the price rises coming soon, ex VAT until the last cash column)

sry, removed a couple of columns

Depends on their unit prices.

I agree entirely. That's all fine and understood in the totally commercially motivated environment ... it is always a risk that the consumer takes.

My argument however is with the regulator, apparently looking after the interests of consumers by recommending the use of these sites and officially endorsing them by allowing use of their (CRU) logo on the comparison websites. In their response to me, the CRU admits that their approval provides a degree of customer confidence to the sites ... one which I think they do not deserve and certainly not from a government appointed regulator.

See here, for the ringing endorsement that the CRU gives to comparison sites : https://www.cru.ie/home/switching-supplier/

When I pointed out how one particular site was deliberately being evasive by not providing specific info that would allow the consumer to select search criteria that would show better (cheaper) direct deals.... they don't want to know. They have found in favour of the company over the interests of the hard pressed consumer, trying to work through the total mess of a market that the CRU purports to regulate. The introduction of private enterprise and 'regulation' to the energy market has resulted in a situation where the consumer has to spend more time, more regularly, searching and comparing in an attempt to save less money. The idea of charging you €50 per utility to change supplier out of contract is laughable.... the time I spend every year trying to work out and around the various tariff scams is worth far more than €50 and no one compensates me for that.

From their mission statement : " Our mission is to regulate water, energy and energy safety, in the public interest" .... yeah right🤨

You're not being cynical. You're 100% right.

Iam of the view and I may be incorrect but it appears that the CRU doesn't see consumer protection within its remit or if it is within its remit it is in no way fulfilling its role.

A lot of carrot and stick ahead as suppliers and state try to cajole people to use smart plans.

With comparison sites being for profit, the CRU should be regulating them far better for sure. We all know the history in this country of light touch regulation, leading to ineffective regulation. It always benefits industry, never the consumer.

With regards to your compliant to the CRU, I would hope they realise you have a point. However, they won't admit to a failure as that would imply they are not doing what they should be doing — protecting the consumer. They have to stick to their core belief. Instead what may happen is a report will be commissioned as to how to improve transparency and regulation. This report will then recommend a number of changes that they could implement to enhance and simplify the market and information provided by comparison sites in particular.

This will of course take a while.

I'm in cooling off period until the 31st, is there a consensus at all for the best deal? I have a smart meter, EV and combi boiler(gas for hot water).

It's not the overall charge that is being increased/decreased, it's the network use portion of the charge, which is 5.047 c/kWh (+VAT), that will mean a change of 0.5c/kWh

Can I sign up to one big switch if I just moved into my house? There's a check box asking if you live in the property for the past 14 months and is mandatory to proceed.

No answers online.

I had the exact same question earlier this week. I couldn't find the answer so I ploughed ahead and ticked the box. Account confirmed this morning

I never send in readings to my provider (bord gais) does it really make a difference or do the bills balance out during the year anyway?i,m with them for electricity and gas