Switching electric/gas providers (see first post for links)

They did, it's a winter price freeze so it lasts until spring. They didn't mention which spring, whether celtic or meteorological admittedly - but regardless of which one you use winter has now passed

Call them, they may match/better EI rate. You can only switch back to the previous supplier though, CRU rules.

Looks that way alright, Bord Gais, Airtricity and Flogas (although not really) were the only ones to do that previously. You might have Flogas offering it again in July/August to cater for their current fixed rate plans but unlikely to happen before then

My last one said the same thing and they increased the charges 2 months into a 12 month offer. Their argument was that it was the CRU charges. When I complained to the CRU they found in favour of Flogas so obviously there's a deal between them of some kind

CRU was just annoyed you disturbed their afternoon nap.

Fixed contracts - prices can be changed during the contract.

Fixed unit pricing - prices are actually fixed for the duration of the contract.

There's not many doing fixed unit pricing afaik.

CRU are the suppliers voice

Have a peep at below, I did go with Flogas but none of these deals.

Went with dual fuel, joined early Feb D/P:27.58 N:13.46 12 month fixed !! I have an EV car.

https://www.flogas.ie/price-plans/bwg-affinity-rate-res-offer/

@Red Silurian - Actually reading the CRU Handbook there, the CRU may well have scope to address this. If you didnt already you should follow the process outlined in that.

https://www.cru.ie/consumer-information/your-rights/energy/

Your statutory rights under consumer law would also still apply.

That's the exact process I followed. CRU ruling was in favour of Flogas.

Can totally understand the argument that increase network charges should be passed through to the standing charge but how the fack can make any rational argument that increased network translates to an arbitrary 5% increase in unit price.

I was always skeptical if Flogas's advertising of their fixed rate plan when they raised prices would stand up to scrutiny in terms of misleading practices. I would note also I dont recall the exact wording on the Flogas website at that time either - it would be useful to review in making the argument below.

Regardless of the T&Cs, I would argue the vast majority of consumers are not aware of the difference between a fixed energy contract and a fixed unit contract. I was not until it was pointed out on this thead.

The CRU Handbook states

2.2.4 Suppliers must adopt a fair and transparent approach to the marketing and advertising of products and services. Suppliers must ensure that the information provided to customers either in writing or verbally through marketing and advertising is:
a. easy to understand complete, accurate, transparent and not misleading in terms of
information that is provided or omitted;
b. specifies clearly the offer / product being marketed and the period it covers;
c. communicated in plain and accessible language;
d. relates to the products or services which are appropriate to the customer to whom it is
directed;
e. fair in both term of its content and format of presentation

I would be making a argument that they failed (a) and (c) above by distinguishing between a "Fixed Energy" component" and a "Fixed Unit Rate", Flogas is attempting to use a technicality to bypass the common understanding of a "Fixed Price Plan."

The use of the word "Fixed" implied that the price that would not change, when in fact it is only "part" fixed.

Plenty of people on this thread over the last two years questioned whether it was truly a fixed rate with the way Flogas worded the T&Cs. They always clearly said that the energy component of the unit was fixed and they may pass through regulatory aspects of the unit costs. Some argued that it was just unclear but I always felt that this clearly meant that they could change the unit rate but not in response to changing wholesale market movements. If you signed up based on just the description of it on the main page as a "fixed rate" then it's arguably unclear but people really should be reading the full T&Cs, especially when it's something like a fixed rate that's swaying your decision.

Speaking of Flogas,they seem to have new 'Loyalty' plans with increased prices - so much for Hedging for price stability?

I still don't understand that if they are locked in to long pricing contracts how they can increase prices(so soon)- that's what I've been reading for the last week anyway?🤔