Founded in 2010, Co-op Energy is the only co-operative supplier on the UK energy market. Since August 2019, its supply, billing and customer services have been run by Octopus Energy - how has this affected customers? Find out below.
Coop Energy reviews
One of the most important factors in deciding if a provider is worth considering is to look at what its current and past customers think of it. For this reason, we pay particular attention to consumer review sites like Trustpilot, where you can get an idea of how it treats its customers and how you can expect to be treated if you sign up.
Recent Co-op Energy reviews are very good, with 77% of almost 4,000 reviewers recording a positive experience with the provider. Of course, this is as much in praise of Octopus as it is of Co-op, as they handle these aspects of Coop reviews posted recently, which invariably laud the simplicity and ease of doing business with Co-op Energy:
Easy switch, clear information. Done online very quickly and easily.
This is an encouraging trend, especially as it seems to extend beyond switching (which all providers naturally try to make a seamless process) into complaint resolution and day-to-day needs relating to your energy usage. Many customers praise the ease of sending meter readings, for example, which is often a hassle:
They send an email reminder each month for meter readings: the website makes it very easy indeed to send these, and every month I receive an updated bill within a day or so of sending the readings.
All most people want from their energy provider is a cheap service that works with a minimum of fuss, and Co-op Energy reviews give us the impression that the provider is achieving this. A small minority of customers report having had problems with their account, but its overall TrustScore of 4.7 out of 5 reflects the fact that the vast majority of Coop Energy customers are very satisfied with the service they receive.
Coop Energy tariffs
There are three simple Co-op Energy tariffs to choose from if you’re thinking of signing up.
All of Co-op Energy’s tariffs compare well in terms of price with other green energy tariffs, with famously cheap providers like Bulb charging more than the Co-op’s most expensive tariff at times. Co-op Energy’s cheapest tariff is, unsurprisingly, on a par with Octopus’s cheapest deal, and is among the cheapest green tariffs on the market now.
For more information about Co-op Energy tariffs, see its website, where you can get a quote for your home in no time.
Fuel mix
Like all UK suppliers, Co-op Energy is obliged to release information pertaining to its fuel mix - i.e. where its power is sourced from. It does this through Octopus, which is responsible for providing Co-op customers with their electricity. Here’s the most recent data available to us:
| - | Coal | Natural gas | Nuclear | Renewables | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy average | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| National average | 3.9% | 39.4% | 16.6% | 37.9% | 2.2% |
This is what we like to see. Given that Octopus supplies the energy for Coop Energy tariffs, its customers receive all their electricity from renewable sources. Octopus Group is one of the country’s largest producer of solar energy, with solar making up 21% of its fuel mix. Almost all of the rest of its fuel mix coming from wind energy and a small part coming from hydroelectric generation.
Know how much of an effect a green tariff can have on the environment?Octopus says that the average UK home’s energy use has a carbon footprint of 574kg, but its tariffs result in 0kg of CO2. This saving, it says, is the equivalent of planting 287 trees!
For more information about the fuel Co-op Energy tariffs rely on to power your home, see the Octopus Energy website.
Coop Energy login
Since Octopus took over the account management aspect of the Co-op’s business in 2019, customers’ login process has changed slightly. You may now use your Co-op Energy login to access Octopus’s highly-acclaimed online account management system.
The way this works is that you either Google “coop energy login” and the first result will be the Octopus login page, or you can head straight to the Octopus Energy website. Via the new online portal, you will be able to:
- View your bills
- Submit meter readings
- Track your energy usage
- Update personal and payment details
This simple set of features should be enough to meet your energy management needs, and Co-op Energy reviews seem to bear this out. Its online portal is often praised by customers for the ease of carrying out functions, which never seem to be said to be limiting or buggy.
Login help
Having trouble accessing your account? Once you’ve found the Octopus Energy login page, it shouldn’t be too difficult. You just enter your old Co-op Energy login information - the email address you signed up with and your password - and you’re good to go.
If you’ve forgotten your password, no problem, just click the button that says ‘I’ve forgotten my password’ below and you can get a reset link sent to your email address.
Coop Energy smart meter
If you have a Co-op Energy smart meter installed, you don’t need to worry about your service having been taken over by Octopus. This is because Co-op Energy was only installing the type of smart meter that works with any supplier - making life simpler and easier for customers now and in the future.
If you’re a Coop Energy customer and are interested in getting a smart meter installed at your home, head over to the Octopus Energy website where you can register your interest. Octopus is not currently sending engineers for routine appointments but will resume this service once they’re able to in line with government recommendations relating to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Warm home discount
Because Co-op Energy is now supplied by Octopus, customers are eligible to receive the Warm Home Discount under that provider’s scheme. There are two ways to receive the £140 discount; as a member of the Core Group or as a member of the Broader Group.
If you qualify for the Core Group, you will have been notified by the government and receive the discount automatically sometime between October and March.
If you qualify for the Broader Group, you will have to apply yourself to Octopus Energy. Applications are done year on year, and you’ll have to pay attention to when your supplier’s application period opens and closes. You’re not guaranteed to receive it, as the criteria for acceptance is subject to change and the scheme is run on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, see the Octopus Energy websites.
Coop Energy phone number
Looking for a Co-op Energy phone number? You’ve come to the right place - in the table below you’ll find the number to call and the hours in which you’re able to.
| Department | Co-op Energy phone number | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| General inquiries | 0808 164 1088 | Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Fridays, 9am to 4pm |
If you want to speak to Co-op Energy but don’t want to wait over the phone, you can head over to the Octopus website to try to chat to an agent or send an email to [email protected].
Looking for a number to use in case of an emergency?Co-op Energy customers, and customers of any supplier, should report gas emergencies by calling 0800 111 999, which is a 24-hour emergency line for customers of any provider. To report a power cut, call 105.