Energia Price Hike & Contract

dublinman1013

Hello all,

1. I signed up with Energia 1.5 months ago on a 12 month contract.
2. I chose the plan based on smart meter data.
3. Yesterday I received an email about a price increase.
4. I thought this would void the contract.
5. I rang their call centre and was told it does not, as the contract states "Our unit rates are subject to change."
6. I cannot find the contract but this clause is in the small print of the first email they sent me.

What are my rights as a consumer? I have cancelled contracts in the past because of price hikes.

Thanks in advance,

K

gmisk

Outside of the 14 day cooling off period you are out of luck seemingly. I think you can pay a fee to break contract (50 euro per fuel).

I am in contract until Nov next year, signed up for 2 year contract previously. Albeit with a goodish discount (29%) previously applied.

StormForce13

You signed up with Energia on a 12 month contract that, I assume, included the following:-

"

5.2 Energia shall be entitled to vary any Variable Tariff, the variable component of any Hybrid Tariff, standing charges and Pass through Charges and any other elements used to calculate the Charges from time to time. Energia will notify you on your bill, by email, by letter or by way of public advertisement of changes to standing charges or unit rates as soon as reasonably practicable and, no later than 30 days before the change comes into effect unless you have signed up to a more flexible arrangement. Such changes shall take effect from the later of the date specified by Energia in such notice or 30 days after the date of such notice. If your average daily usage is less than 2 units per billing period (typically 56 days), you may be subject to a higher standing charge than other Customers.

and

"

13.4 If this Agreement is for a fixed-term period (as specified in the Product Terms Sheet) and you cancel your service any time after the cooling off period and before the end of the fixed-term period, a termination fee of €50 per fuel will apply, unless otherwise specified in the Product Terms Sheet. 

"

So you are fully entitled to cancel whenever you wish to do so, but if you do they're entitled - and will - charge you the €50 termination fee.

Bear in mind that cancelling and taking the €50 hit may still save you money, if you switch to a cheaper supplier, like Electric Ireland.

Full Ts & Cs are here: https://www.energia.ie/home/terms-and-conditions