What’s in this review?
Also see: Better Energy for business review
Are you considering a switch to Better Energy?
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Better Energy, as well as what their customers are saying.
Introduction
Launched in January of 2011, this energy company is licensed by Ofgem to deliver gas only to both home and business properties in the UK.
With the motto ‘Same energy, Better price‘, their company mission is to deliver cost-effective energy and exceptional customer service to all of their customers.
Some of the benefits Better Energy offers their customers are:
- No automated messages when you call up
- Switch and save up to 40% on your current bill
- Simple bills and statements
- Online account management
- Variable and fixed tariff options
Costs, Contract Lengths and Fees
According to their website, they can provide you lower costs for your gas because while they have access to the same wholesale energy like their competitors, their overheads are more moderate, meaning they can charge you less.
For an estimate of your average annual gas bill, see the table below.
This is to be used as a general guide for comparing suppliers, as your quote will depend on many different factors such as the size of your home, how many people live there and your specific energy consumption.
Better Energy Tariffs |
Online Reward 2 Aug20 – Regular DD |
Postal Reward 2 Aug20 – Regular DD |
Online Saver 8 – Regular DD |
Postal Saver 8 – Regular DD |
Prepayment Saver 8 |
Average Annual Bill* | £455.65 | £474.81 | £465.73 | £484.89 | £484.89 |
Fixed Price? | Fixed until 31 August 2020 | Fixed until 31 August 2020 | Variable Contract
– No |
Variable Contract
– No |
Variable Contract
– No |
Termination Fee | £30 | £30 | None | None | None |
Online Account Management | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Best for | Domestic customers with a credit meter | Domestic customers with a credit meter | Domestic customers with a credit meter | Domestic customers with a credit meter | Domestic customers who have a prepayment meter |
Bills by | Post | Post |
Core services & offering
According to the Better Energy website, there are only a few simple steps involved in switching supplier to them.
Remember always to check Better Energy reviews as well as comparing quotes to make sure you get the right deal.
Compare
First, Better Energy suggests comparing all of their available tariffs to ensure that you are getting the best deal with the best benefits for your needs.
For instance, their fares have a range of different extras, like choosing to have your bills via post or email, using a smart meter or a prepayment meter and so on.
They have an easy to use quotation tool that allows you to get a simple, estimated quote in minutes.
Choose
Once you have chosen the tariff that best matches your needs, you can complete your application securely through their website.
This is where you can choose from a variety of different payment methods and your correspondence preferences.
Switch
Then, you’ll receive a confirmation of your switch, contact information and usually a schedule.
- Switching supplier usually takes around 24 days. You will also have a two week cooling off period.
- They will inform your current supplier. The only reason there will be an issue with this is if you are in debt, but that can be resolved
- You’ll never be without energy, as you are safeguarded by Ofgem even in worst case scenarios.
Meter Reading
Better Energy will need a meter reading from you before you supply switches.
You can submit meter readings online.
This is, so you only pay once for your gas, as there have been times in the past where people have been charged twice, so this fixes that issue.
Now you’ve switched!
This efficient process along with the other benefits of getting your supply from Better Energy like the variety of tariffs and competitive prices makes Better Energy a real competitor to the big six and other independent suppliers.
Learn how to become more energy efficient here.
Customer Support
As of the time of writing, there are only 12 Better Energy reviews on Trustpilot, plus their page is unclaimed, suggesting that they do not ask their customers to submit reports.
Positive Customer Support Review
Despite leaving to go to a different energy supplier, what I saved on the switch I’ve lost in phone calls with a ridiculous company. Mandy and her colleagues at Better Energy have helped me so much despite my leaving, even though they don’t have to. Hopefully be back with them again shortly
Negative Customer Support Review
Disgusted! Every time I top up they take most of my credit, I have no debt with them before you think I do. When I question them as to how my gas runs out so fast when I live in a two bedroom flat, they become very rude!
Better Energy Reviews
Better Energy currently has a very positive online reputation, with a 4-star rating on Trustpilot.
However, this is only out of 12 reviews, so it is difficult to tell whether this paints an accurate picture of the energy supplier.
Positive Better Energy Review
Switched to better energy from British Gas, easy and straightforward process. The very low unit rate for Gas and easy to use online service with simplified billing, called to sort final bill upon moving out and this was processed within a week. Will use again.
Negative Better Energy Review
As there is only one negative review on Trustpilot, see the customer support reviews above.
Company Comparison
Company | Bulb | So Energy | Affect | Better Energy |
Overall Trustpilot Score | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
Discounts | No | No | £15.75 per fuel per year | 5.25 pence/day discount for managing your account by email 5.25 pence/day discount for paying by direct debit 0.084 pence/kWh discount for staying in credit |
The average cost for dual fuel three bedrooms home | £82 | £78 | £90 | £37.91 for gas only |
Positive Reviews on Trustpilot | 92% Positive | 86% Positive | 86% Positive | 58% Positive |
Who Should Use the Company?
Better Energy may be useful for those who value customer service and a smaller business that is more likely to be able to cater to your individual needs and work out any issues in a short amount of time.
Better Energy also offers their customers many discounts, as they reward their customers by paying via direct debit and managing your account by email.
Better Energy Review
Summary
Better Energy only offers gas to their customers, but their lack of a range of services is made up by their stellar customer support, with many of their positive reviews on Trustpilot stating that they reply quickly to emails and phone calls.
Another positive that customers can enjoy from Better Energy is simplified billing and savings on their current bill.
Pros
- Simplified billing
- Issues are resolved quickly
- Switch and save up to 40% on your bill
Cons
- Better Energy only supply gas
- A small company always runs the risk of going bust
- Some tariffs have an exit fee of £30