Energy Direct NZ & transition to Trustpower

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wsnz

649 posts

Ultimate Geek

#198614 16-Jul-2016 10:38

We've received the letter today informing us of the transition from Energy Direct NZ to Trustpower, with a 12 month fix on prices.

About three months ago we were encouraged to sign up for a fixed term (1-3 years) and with the recent website upgrade things looked encouraging.

At least the 12 month price freeze will buy us some time to look around at other suppliers! Disappointing, but I'm not surprised given the relatively small size of the market in NZ versus the number of suppliers.

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2858 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1594137 17-Jul-2016 19:09

Do you think Trustpower will be bad? we received the same letter, and on the same day had a door-to-door salesman selling Trustpower come by and offer a deal.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#1594145 17-Jul-2016 19:28

These things go in cycles. These cheap companies seem to setup to lure customers to their plans with great pricing or a one off offer. Then when they have a good number of customer, they sell up to the large companies, and the market then consolidates again to just a few providers. The same thing happened when the energy market deregulated a decade or two ago.

deadlyllama

1264 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1594149 17-Jul-2016 19:40

Except energy direct aren't a new cheap company. Once upon a time they were the Whanganui Gas Board. Real pity they've been done in by their new owners. They had excellent customer service and good prices.

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#1594153 17-Jul-2016 19:52

deadlyllama: Except energy direct aren't a new cheap company. Once upon a time they were the Whanganui Gas Board. Real pity they've been done in by their new owners. They had excellent customer service and good prices.

Although they possibly followed the same business model to get new customers. It does suck when these great smaller companies get taken over by a big company, that can have worse service, and end up putting up the prices. Has happened to me a few times with other services, including energy companies. .

Stu1

1769 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Subscriber

#1594161 17-Jul-2016 20:01

They were a great company, they have been under trustpower for awhile now so was only a matter of time. we swapped to get the free gas to May, not too much difference so far in price but has been a mild winter so far. They were cheaper in gas out more expensive in electricity but the deal we got for free gas for six months worked out cheaper overall.

wsnz

649 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1594380 18-Jul-2016 11:39

lokhor:

Do you think Trustpower will be bad? we received the same letter, and on the same day had a door-to-door salesman selling Trustpower come by and offer a deal.

When I last modelled my usage, Trustpower was definitely more expensive. I can't comment on how their customer service is.

Rodalco

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1611613 14-Aug-2016 22:28

We switched over from Mercury Energy to Trustpower when they were doorknocking about 5 months ago.

I played them out against each other and ended up with $500 free electricity,

Lower price per kWh 18 cts v 22 cts kWh

and Lower daily line charges $1.70 v $1.90 / day.

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Athlonite

1828 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1611673 15-Aug-2016 07:41

Rodalco:

Lower price per kWh 18 cts v 22 cts kWh

and Lower daily line charges $1.70 v $1.90 / day.

That's quite expensive for a daily line charge infact it's 4 x what I pay $0.3750 per day

deadlyllama

1264 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1611697 15-Aug-2016 09:07

Athlonite:

Rodalco:

Lower price per kWh 18 cts v 22 cts kWh

and Lower daily line charges $1.70 v $1.90 / day.

That's quite expensive for a daily line charge infact it's 4 x what I pay $0.3750 per day

Athlonite: you'll be on the low user plan (<8,000 KWh/year).

Behodar

10508 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1611700 15-Aug-2016 09:18

wsnz: When I last modelled my usage, Trustpower was definitely more expensive. I can't comment on how their customer service is.

TrustPower was the cheapest when I joined them a few years ago, but it varies between areas (local lines company is Horizon) so it's hard to do comparisons on a national forum. As for customer service, I've only had to call them once (to change to the low user plan) and they answered promptly and handled everything without any issues.

Athlonite

1828 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1611748 15-Aug-2016 10:12

deadlyllama:

Athlonite:

Rodalco:

Lower price per kWh 18 cts v 22 cts kWh

and Lower daily line charges $1.70 v $1.90 / day.

That's quite expensive for a daily line charge infact it's 4 x what I pay $0.3750 per day

Athlonite: you'll be on the low user plan (<8,000 KWh/year).

Apparently I am who knew I certainly didn't not that I ever asked to be on a low user plan I've never been on a low user plan ever, how ever I do get charged double the rate per kWh @ $0.3080 per unit but hey if your at work most of the day why or more importantly how do you use more than 8000kWh per year

Rodalco

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1612118 15-Aug-2016 18:45

Yes, but you are probably on a low user tariff Athlonite. We use > 15000 kWh per year so the tariff we have works out better. even with the higher line charges.

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1612203 15-Aug-2016 21:07

8000kw/hr per year equals a continuous load of 913W. So less than 1 unit per hour equivalent. So very easy to use more than 8000kW/hr in a year if you have more than 1 person in the house.

Also standard user is better in that it reduces the ratio between summer bills and winter bills. (less winter bill shock) Assuming your monthly usage is greater than 666kW/hr over winter and less than 666kW/hr over summer.

wsnz

649 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1612465 16-Aug-2016 13:33

The "high user" option (i.e. $ >8000KW/h per annum) is usually the best fit for those who have an electric hot water cylinder. Note that your supplier is required to notify you on an annual basis at least, which rate plan is the best for your current usage pattern.

We have gas hot water & a heat pump (used in both summer & winter), with 3 people in the house and at least one home during the day, and still struggle to get over 5000KW/h per annum.

wsnz

649 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1638763 22-Sep-2016 14:07

Has anyone else been charged a new direct debit initiation fee by their bank upon their first transaction with EDNZ's parent Trustpower?

Given Trustpower used the existing EDNZ DD authority to change the name to Trustpower, I don't believe I should have been charged the fee.

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