IBERSWITCH
 

I posted a thread a few days ago titled Iba Switch.

The correct spelling is IBERSWITCH.

They claim to be able to save me money on my electricity bills by choosing and switching my supplier, from a number of suppliers who charge a lower rate than Iberdrola.

They charge a one off fee of 30euros and then 3.50euros a month for the service.

Does anyone have any experience of this company good or bad.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

I signed up with them a couple of months ago. Should be changed over this month. Will let you know how I get on.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Since most tariffs are still government controlled I will be interested in seeing the savings.

What saving did they promise you? Presumably they gave you a quote before they signed you up.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Well Fred, I haven't signed up yet, I wanted to do a bit of research first and find out if you guys on here knew anything.

However, he did have figures of the projected Iberdrola price rises for 3 further price rises in 2011 and list of various other companies who's tariffs were much cheaper. He said that Iberswitch negotiate with these companies to get a better deal.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

It looks a bit dubious to me.

All companies supply electricity at a government controlled tariff to users with less than 10kw of potencia - it is called the TUR tarif.

At any one time they may well offer some discounts for new customers who switch companies. These are sometime just a discount on the monthly charge and no change to the unit rate. Sometimes you will get a discount on the unit rate but it is always time limited.

It's an absolute minefield! Trying to work out any savings is very difficult and you will probably find that at the end of the contacted period the prices go back up and you need to change again.

This is essentially what Iberswitch is offering to do for you. It does probably mean a change every year and knowing what a fantastic reputation the electricity suppliers in Spain have for accurate and timely billing I can see huge potential for a real mess up here.

What does concern me about their offer is you pay the €30 up front with no idea how much you are going to save. It also seems to be an operation with lots of "agents".

From my experience the best way to reduce your bill, if you aren't already on it, is to change to the dual tariff system (Discriminacion Horario) with cheap electricity for 14 hours a day.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Hello
New to this forum and just having a look round.

Have somehow avoided all this electricity hassle although I am aware of iberswitch because they were advertising everywhere. I took the plunge with another company mainly because it cost me nothing and they were guarantee-ing me a 5% discount which is not huge but why should I pay more than I have to ?

Seemed to be silly not too. So I changed and it did take about 4 months but I'm on a better rate of 0.138410 from 0.146 something which is just over 5%.

can I say who I went with ?

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Thank you for the welcome.

The company who did my electricity changeover is 900telecom and I dealt with Helen there. It was a quick phone call as I remember and no admin costs. :thumbsup:


I've had a squint at the forum rules and see that as I am expressing an opinion I can say the company name. And actually your rules are all very reasonable. I've been told off previously for mentioning company names so was a bit unsure.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

I know nothing about them but FWIW my advice would be,......

If you have a trouble free supply don't go messing it up for coppers unless you can handle the Spanish when you find out it's not as you thought, this is Spain remember, however it's up to you, I know if I did it, it would probably end up costing me more, all the best whatever you do, oh and let us know the outcome if you do won't you?

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

But not if you work for them Helen. :blink:

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

In an earlier post in this thread I said that there was no significant saving to be gained by switching as for most users the tariffs are the same as they are government controlled.

I have now found a site that shows a comparison of charges for all the suppliers based on your actual consumption. It is the organisation with overall responsibility for electricity supply in Spain so it should be correct.

http://www.comparador.cne.es/compara...x.cfm?js=1&e=N


I ran some examples and it does confirm that there is very little to be gained apart from a small introductory discount often only applying to the monthly charge.

As for Iberswitch and other companies that are offering to save you money, I am pretty well convinced that they are just another con!

However, if like us, you have a 3 phase supply with a potencia over 10kw the situation is very different. The costs of such a supply is very much higher than the basic TUR controlled tariff by at least 15% and possibly even more. This is the real "Free Market" and the savings by changing supplier can be very significant particularly on the off peak dual tariffs.

We are on one of these tariffs and the difference between the top and bottom of the list shows a saving of over 20% - that's about €500 for us!

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Just had a look at that site and guess what our current company Endesa are the dearest except for Iberadola who canvassed us last week!

The cheapest is electrica serosense who would save us €300 at present rates. Will look into them but must say never heard of them anybody here heard anything bad about them?

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

I looked at them - a tiny company with 10000 customers established 100 years ago!

I doubt that you will find anyone who knows them but they appear to be the cheapest.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

We signed up with them last year and our bills have just gone up and up, I for one think they are a big CON, we are now looking how to get out of it, my advice, if haven't then don't, they are just another big rip off.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

I was a customer with Iberswitch and found that they saved me no money at all. In fact it was more expensive for me to be with them as they did not work with the suppliers to get a good rate but just took the basic rates. Additionally they charge you a fee of €4.15 per month to manage your account. You would be better off switching suppliers yourself. I have now notified them to cancel my contract and was able to signup to another supplier with the same electricity basic rate as I was receiving through Iberswitch but with a 10% discount until 15 Jan 2015 and without the €4.15 per month charge. Also the new company recommended that I would be eligible for the Day/Night tariff Where I can save even more money. Goodbye Iberswitch.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Further confirmation that it's a big con.

They have tried all sorts of dodgy deals. They were selling some device that was supposed to reduce your bills just by plugging it in and I see they are now selling illegal card sharing TV systems.

Avoid them like the plague.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

We just went back to iberdrola and guess what? Saved money with their day and night tariff.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

All companies offer a day/night tariff - it's not unique to Iberdrola.

It's almost impossible not to save money on it - we have been on it for 13 years and saved €1000's.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

But we were on a day and night with iberswich and it was more expensive.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Yes, that's possible because although the basic tariff is government controlled, individual companies can adjust the difference between the peak and off-peak rates slightly.

The other area where there can be differences is in the monthly standing charge. Sometimes they reduce this or agree to fix it for two years just to attract new customers.

However, when you take all this into account there really isn't much to choose between them and you local main supplier still reads the meters so if you have been having a bad time with them not reading the meter and issuing estimates this may remain the same even if you switch.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

I have now been with Iberswitch for 2years, 6 months of which was chasing them around to get the switch over. I am now on my 3rd different Electricity supplier all supposedly providing this cheap tariff as promised but not materialized. I have received several estimated bills (which according to Iberswitch is the fault of Iberdrola for not reading the meters), but as of yet have not received any credit.
I have also confronted them with the inaccurate statement on their web site concerning providing 3 monthly savings statements and received the following reply:
"We originally wanted to receive everyone´s bills and turn them into statements showing the savings. However, the powers that be stated that people must receive their own electricity bills directly from the supplier...."
It is all a big CON and lurking in the background is a threat from Iberdrola for back-payment on electricity which Iberswitch state:
"You should expect to receive details from your current electricity company, explaining the additional charges and the billing periods to which they apply. The amount which needs to be paid will be split between your bills from now until 31st December, 2012 in order to comply with article 4 or Order IET/843/2012"
Is this why we are being passed from one company to another???
Avoid them like the plague.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Hello! I've recently opened this up in a new thread not knowing this one existed,I'm not happy with Iberswitch and going through this thread it seems most people agree.One post particularly interests me from "aftnetman"joined Sept.2012,he notified Iberswitch to cancel and signed up to a new firm with a10% discount 'till 15th Jan 2015.If he is still around could he tell me what notice he gave to Iberswitch and was the new firm Iberdrola?

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Well I have gone back to Iberdrola and they have set price for a year.
Beware when cancel with Iberswitch, dont forget you are now paying a month in advance for their services??? so time the switch over before the months admin is paid. I went into the Iberdrola office in Guardamar and they couldn't have been more helpful, even suggesting a lower tariff than I went in for. Then as you did with Iberswitch they notify them that you are moving companies. I did however send an email notifying Iberswitch that I was canceling. Beware you may then get bills from whomever the present supplier is with Iberswitch that monies are outstanding ( thats funny coming from them!). When contract was signed at the Iberdrola office I then informed my bank to cancel any payments to Iberswitch/ Cenermed?
I am satisfied with Iberdrola dual tariff and the new updated web page.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Thanks to Wotsup for his comments,that was helpful to me, I'll probably end up doing the same.I've tried to contact Iberdrola through e-mail ,but am getting nowhere fast,best thing would be to call in to the office in Torrevieja. I take your point about timing as well.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

May have been answered, but "what hours are considered officially off peak" with Iberdrola ? Thanks.

DSB.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Everybody should have a peak/off peak contract. It saves a lot.

I believe the hours are the same regardless of the company. In summer (daylight savings time) off-peak tariff is 23:00 to 12:00, in winter it's midnight to 13:00.

We're with Endesa and their off-peak is a little more than half the price of peak tariff. So, we run everything that uses a lot of power during the off-peak tariff (wash machine, dishwasher, water pumps, etc) and it saves €1000's.

Just as an anecdote, Iberdrola visited us last year to assess whether switching would be of any benefit. After assessing our Endesa bills, they said they could only save us about €2 per month.

We didn't switch because the Iberdrola office is 40Km away, while the Endesa office is 3Km away. As it is too oft necessary to visit the office to dispute bills, we decided to stay with Endesa.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

The off peak period is 14 hours from 10pm to midday. One hour later in Summer.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

So which is it;

Winter
00:00 - 13:00 or
22:00 - 12:00

Summer
23:00 - 12:00 or
23:00 - 13:00

Seems to be some confusion between Fred and amideislas

Do we need to get new meters to make this happen - I presume so.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

On another thread I've posted about storage heating. Something I thought was out + old fashioned (we had it as a kid) and when I bought my flat here, new, was installed. I wasn't happy initially (had no choice).

But now I'm a convert as the heating at 1/2 price electricity at 'night' is good - then keeping the room warm for the rest of the day. Also a big advantage to me (a bit of an insomniac )is that the room temp is pretty constant 24 hours a day, meaning the whole house/furniture etc gets up to a steady temp and is itself a sort of 'storage rad'. And I can go down anytime watch a bit of TV and be warm 24h a day, because at night heat does 'spill out'. The newer models are much slimmer and have input/output controls etc etc ..... and a wire is easier to install than a pipe.

I would seriously consider this for our place in Spain.

However: Looking at my bills and rounding up/down for ease. And comparing with a friends bill... who has dual.... there's a bit of a catch....

Single tariff is 15c / KWH day or night. I pay this
Dual tariff is half price at 'night' BUT the costs are 20c and 10c / KWH. My friends.

I think the cheap rate goes to about midday, so you could e.g heat on timers and do all your washing, ironing etc in the mornings/night.

With planning I think it would work, but the evening meal (if you use electricity) - TV etc etc needs to be factored in as you pay more.

Fred you've got it sussed as you've saved 000's - but I suggest one needs to think it and plan it out a bit... first.

Jon

PS after all the hullabaloo in the UK about companies doing switching - customers tied into contracts etc etc - I would hesitate to use this Iberswitch, doesnt seem good in the 'waters' - nothing more technical than that... just a gut feel. So I personally wouldn't use it.

PPS my friend told me that the TIMES are the same all year round and that they DONT take into account the summer/winter time, so both may be right... you could find it varies depending on when you are in the year.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

It may be different in different regions. I may have confused summer and winter times, but those are the times for us - it's one hour difference between summer and winter.

Yes you need a new meter. They have posh new digital ones now, so technically, you don't need an ICP (but unfortunately you are still obliged to have the ICP and pay rental for it).

They will likely charge you about €300 for the meter, and then you have to pay rent for it on top. But you'll save much more than €300, so it's worth it.

Beware they may try to demand a "boletin" which is a document proving your home is "safe" for the change in tariff. It's complete nonsense, and you don't have to do it, but they will try to charge you €200 - €300 for the "inspection" (and nobody ever shows up to inspect anything - it's just a document with a stamp on it). You are not obligated to do it - Just refuse.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

The figures I quoted are correct according to Iberdrola

https://www.iberdrola.es/webibd/corp...MPASEINFSUMTAR

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

MY friend with whom I compared bills etc in my previous post just above, got his meter for 10Euro! He's the one that told me that there is no change for summer/winter time so you have to take care.

My friend is a forum member too.... care to reply, mate?

Jon

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

What I mean by there is no change is that on GMT the low cost period is 22.00 hrs to 12..00 noon. the meter stays on that time on its electronic clock and that is when the electricity is cheaper.

In summer we move to BST which means we put our clocks forward by 1 hr so that when the meter clock is on 10 pm my house clocks are on 11 pm. I use mechanical timers on those things that I want to operate in the cheap period such as lighting, pool pump, aerator pump for septic tank etc. We have an electronic timer in the washing which means that we can load the washer and set it to run up to 23 hrs ahead so always in cheap time. We could also put timers on the aircon and other heating units such as towel rails but have not done that as yet.

The change with Endesa to the dual meter was just €10.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

You're lucky. We were billed €285 for the meter and to add insult to injury, pay something like €2 per month for the "rental" of it.

Then there's the original ICP we were required by law to buy, costing over €300 from Endesa, yet sells for about €25 PVP at Leroy Merlin - plus I pay 10c per day to rent the damned thing on top. Endesa claims they did not "sell" the ICP to me (and the factura reflects this). The €300 was for "installation" of it (taking months for Endesa to organise whilst receiving repeated threats from Endesa to get the ICP installed ASAP or they will cut my supply), which took 10 minutes to actually install when the guy finally showed up, and so therefore, the "rental" fee applies because it is technically owned by Endesa, not me. Right, then.

Ironically, I recently paid a fortune for the posh digital meter which now functions as the ICP, so the mandatory ICP I previously bought and paid for, yet are required to pay 10c per day in rental, amounts to completely useless, wasted money, but pure profit for Endesa, which I am required to pay by law, for no practical reason.

But that's the beauty of the regulated energy business here... Live with it, or invest €30K in solar.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Thank you Fred.
DSB.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Stay clear of Iberswitch, they are as bad as Iberdrolla, I am going back to the Iberdrolla thieves as at least they warn me when they are taking huge amounts from my account, Iberswitch remove the huge amount and then send you a bill 3 weeks later.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Yes, they do seem to bit a bit of an Arfur Daley outfit. Certainly not one I'd trust with any of my financial or personal data. Though it's worth reminding people that all methods of watching TV outside of the contracted reception area are equally illegal, whether its CS, streaming, satellite dish or downloading.
Definitely one to avoid.

Re: IBERSWITCH
 

Please, let us not start yet another discussion about the legality of various TV systems - it has been well covered in other threads.