Frequently Asked Questions
...domestic
How do you offer this service for free?
www.omni-energy.co.uk is able to maintain and develop its services and website by earning small commission fees for any successful applications that are made via this website. We earn a share of the commission that suppliers pay comparison websites to introduce new customers. There are no extra fees or hidden cost when you switch your supplier with us. The fees that we receive are simply given by suppliers as their marketing budget and is arguably more efficient and cost effective than face to face or telephone sales that suppliers also employ.
Why should I trust the information you provide?
Our database comes from Energylinx.co.uk who are the number one comparison website in the UK. The database is backed by ‘Consumer Focus’ for continually monitoring the changes that happen when tariff prices change. In most instances, we receive information far in advance of published tariff changes that are revealed to the public which means that the information we provide is as accurate and reliable as possible. The energy regulator ‘Ofgem’ also recommends the use of comparison websites to find the best deals.
Although comparison websites do want you to switch because of the small commissions they receive. It is in nobody’s interest, that you should be mislead. We provide clear and impartial comparisons to help you make savings. We hope that these savings will bring you back next time when it comes time to switch again. We recommend that you compare your prices every 6 to 12 months to ensure you you always pay a competitive price for your gas and electricity.
How does the comparison work?
Put simply our website gives you the tools you need when it comes to the calculations. We enable you to see past the smoke and mirrors that is designed to bamboozle customers. So instead of you working with the various versions of pricing like online pricing, tiered charges, standing charges, as well as capped and fixed rates. You can simply enter the type of tariff you are looking for and we will do the rest so that you can sit back and enjoy the savings made with only a 2 to 5 minute investment of your time.
What do I need to do next?
To obtain a quote, simply enter your postcode, the name(s) of your supplier(s), the tariff you are on and your gas and electricity consumption. Preferably you should provide this information as your annual Kilowatt Hours (Kwh) used or your monthly/quarterly/annual spend and we will convert this into Kwh for you. The whole process only takes a couple of minutes and, if you’re satisfied with the options available, you can make an application. You’ll want to decide your favoured payment method for instance if you want online bills, capped or fixed rates so please take some time to consider your options until you are satisfied with the deal offered. If you need any advice just call 0800 118 2890. If we are busy you can leave a message for us to get back to you.
What happens when I submit my application?
In Simple terms:
We will confirm our receipt of your information by email at your registered e-mail address and forward the details of your application to the supplier of choice. The supplier will then start processing the 'switch' to their service and will contact you to confirm when the your new service will start from. (Your supply will not go off during this process)
Detailed description of paperwork and timescales:
Your new supplier will send you ‘details’ of your chosen tariff within 5-7 working days. They will also inform your previous supplier after 14 days of your intention to switch. This period also acts as your ‘cooling off period’ and is designed to safeguard you in the unlikely event that you change your mind and decide to cancel. During this process there is no way that you will be cut off supply. The ‘switch’ will be on paper only and nothing happens to your supply physically.
Once your new supplier lets you know the date of the ‘switch’ you may and should provide an opening meter reading, which they will pass to you previous supplier to ensure that there are no complications when it comes to your final bills. Both suppliers will agree the same meter reading to ensure the accuracy of your bills. All said and done, you don’t have to do anything. And if your circumstances do not permit you to read your own meter you can arrange for an appointment for your meter to be read.
What are the advantages over other comparison websites?
www.omni-energy.co.uk is an independently owned and 100% impartial online comparison facility and are actually no different from any other gas and electricity comparison website when it comes to the prices that are actually on offer. However the advice and the support we offer is ‘different’, which is why our customers use us time and time again.
The key difference in these experiences is the common sense and empathy of the small local company. Too much customer service — especially in large companies — has devolved to standard operating procedures and scripted answers delivered with artificial calmness. To an upset customer, these automated responses often seem inappropriate or absurd. When I interviewed my friend ‘Mehmet Oz’ in a prior post, he said that the opposite of anger is not calmness but empathy. While I appreciate the challenges of cost-effectively scaling customer service, empathy training might help service employees calm angry customers more effectively, increasing their long-term loyalty, and perhaps even changing them into referring fans.
Anthony (Tony) Tjan is CEO, Managing Partner and Founder of Cue Ball, a venture and early growth equity firm investing in the information media and consumer sectors
Why Small Companies Are Better
How often can I switch my supplier?
It’s a good idea to compare gas and electricity prices every 6 to 12 months and switching if there is the option to save some money. This will help ensure that you always pay competitive prices for your gas and electricity. You can switch suppliers as many times as you like-but remember, it takes between 4 and 8 weeks to complete a switch. We also advice you check that the savings you make are greater than any cancellation charges you may incur at the cancellation of your current contract. That said, if you’re not sure if you have a cancellation clause then the chances are you don’t; as only a handful of tariffs have cancellation charges.
When should I cancel my Direct Debit?
You should cancel your direct debit with you existing supplier as soon as you have paid your final bill and your new supplier has confirmed the switch date. At which point you may have been asked to provide a meter reading. You will receive your final bill normally within 32 days of the end date. Alternatively if you have a credit on your final bill suppliers tend to sit on your money so if this is the case, give them a call.
What if I am still in debt with my current supplier? Can I still switch?
If you have an outstanding debt that is more than 28 days old, then your current supplier may object to your transfer until you clear this balance in full. In our experience suppliers do not always adhere to this policy and would then allow 3 to 6 months to clear the balance in some cases.
What if I change my mind or want to cancel for any reason?
You have a 14 day cooling off period after you have processed the application in case you change your mind. You would simply contact the new supplier and notify them that you do not wish the transfer to go ahead and would like to cancel. If it has passed the 14 day period you will need to apply for a new transfer back to the original supplier.
Will this website ensure my personal details are secure?
Yes. When it times to enter your sensitive personal data like your bank details or address details and then you click ‘continue’. This will all be protected by what’s called an encrypted server. The certificate of which is issued by ‘Comodo’ internet security. You will know that the site is secure as it will have some key differences. Firstly the http:// will change to https:// on the address bar, there will also be a picture of a logo at the top and/or bottom of your browser window. And finally the text in the browser content will say ‘Secure Connection’ and ‘Secure Energy Transfer’ .
What happens if there is a problem with my transfer?
According to Ofgem customer complaints related to switching have gone down by 70% due to better processes that are now in place since 2008. Unfortunately if you are not so lucky you have rights to ensure that if something went wrong with your transfer that it will be resolved quickly and easily.
Please note that any potential issues will not cause your supply to be cut off in any instance. However the main issues are with opening and closing meter readings or meter details. So when your new supplier informs you of your start date it is important to check the meter serial numbers and provide an opening meter reading. This solves the majority of issues. However if you need further advice we have a dedicated telephone number you may call for impartial advice 0800 118 2890.
