When to switch energy provider?

[ClubMan]

Same here, even though I've wanted to stay, albeit with the new customer discount

Funnily enough the EI person that I spoke to today, when I chanced my arm and asked if I could get cashback and the 24% discount, said that they only give cashback to new customers even though the guy that I spoke to yesterday offered either 16% off and €120 cashback or 24% off and no cashback. Maybe they were working off inconsistent scripts or something...

 

[peemac]

looks like the Electric Ireland discount is now 16% - a backdoor price increase

 

[Des Pondent]

I think it is best to ignore percentage discounts etc.

There are too many variables with energy providers, they all have many plans, with different standard unit prices and different standing charges. Percentage discounts vary, depending on the plan and if you are a new or existing customer. For further confusion some plans offer cash back.

The only number that I look at is what will my usage cost at current rates, over the next 12 months with the different providers, and I go with the cheapest on the day for the next year.

 

[ClubMan]

I think it is best to ignore percentage discounts etc

I disagree. You take the specific provider's standard rates, apply the discount, and the discounted unit rates are what you need to focus on. Then use EnergyPal to compare the custom plan (if necessary) with what's generally available on the market based on your actual usage for the last 12 months via your smart meter usage data. In my case I had to plug in the details for the two custom plans that I was offered because EnergyPal didn't know about them a priori. Those were Electric Ireland 16% discount plus €120 cashback and 24% discount and no cashback.