Npower's May 2016 fix beware the small print

A question about : Npower's May 2016 fix beware the small print

I am on Online Oct 2015 fixed rate deal with Npower with no penalty paying Ј78 pm I logged into my account & input actual annual consumption from Jan 2015- Jan2015. The online May 2016 quoted Ј66.80pm. I input meter readings intending to switch to the new fixed rate. Just as I was about to proceed I noticed a smaller line of text saying that my payment would remain at Ј78 until my next 6 month review in july 2015.ie in6months time. This certainly did not happen when I chose my Oct 2015 fix.
I then went onto Npower website without logging into my account &using the same annual consumption figures & was quoted Ј63 pm.
So be careful if switching to a different tariff with Npower.If you have just had your 6 month review as it will be 6months before your payment will be changed to that of the quote.

Best answers:

• The issue to watch for if switching from one Npower fixed tarriff to another is the higher standing charge and lower unit charge on tariffs available at the end of winter, compared to the lower standing charge and higher unit charge on tariffs available just before the winter.
  For example someone paying for duel fuel by direct debit on Online Price Fix Jan 2016 has a standing charge in the North West of Ј136pa, whereas the new Npower May 2016 fix has a standing charge of Ј66pa. The unit charge is higher on the May 2016 fix.
  If someone does a comparison site compare based on annual usage the May 2016 appears to be cheaper, but based on lower late Spring and Summer usage the May 2016 tariff is in reality likely to be more expensive until autumn. That is certainly true based on my seasonal usage.
  Npower are past masters at using seasonal usage to deceive customers. Those with long memories will remember this
  https://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/...tled-by-npower
  My view is that companies should not be allowed to widely vary the mix of charges recouped through the standing charge on a seasonal basis in this way. However weak regulation from the likes of OFGEM means that they can get away with these things.
• The issue i have is trying to change gas tariffs to May 2016. Have tried some many times and apparently there is a known fault and they are still trying to resolve issues. However they have given me a Ј25 goodwill payment for the problems so not doing too bad at the moment and once resolved they will back date for me to 2 Feb 2015.
  Also only pay by var direct debit.
• Thanks for pointing out about comparing unit rates & standing charges. This all arose because I was awarded Ј120 by the ombudsman in Oct 2014 for a case about my Jan 2014 bill & he agreeing with my annual consumption figures & said Ј78 was the correct payment.
  I then received an incorrect bill dated 02/01/ 2015 which only came to light when a refund was made to our bank account berfore we had even seen the bill ofЈ46.73 ( erroneously they are now saying )
  They finally produced a correct bill on 26/01/15 & have up to now suggested 3 different monthly payments. I am awaiting a final decision/deadlock letter fro Elisabeth Gibson Head of Customer services so I can if necessary complain to the Ombudsman yet again. I wont bore you with all the excuses I have been given )
  To cap it all on this months dd they only took Ј40 & the explanation being they could not collect the Electricity portion
  Ј38 on a sat ( 14th Feb) Although the actual payment they took was on the 16th.
  Up to now I have been offered no compensation for all these errors.
  I wish to change supplier but worry that I cant until this is all sorted out, hence checking their new tariffs.