British Gas Energy 4+

In the brave new world of ‘upgrades’ inevitably being a euphemism for ‘downgrades’ I noted the seemingly inevitable cascade of poor reviews, although switching to the new app is forced by the account change (why!??)
Agree with comments about losing historical usage data being a pain and unnecessary (this is just lazy programming!), but the new app UI is far superior to the old (had no probs activating biometrics), loosing much of the surplus clutter. Useful usage data will soon mount up again even if it shouldn’t have to.
It still has a way to go to match the features of some rivals (I seem to recall from previous lives that both EDF & Scottish Power both had more useful functions - especially DD adjustments) and better clearer links on implications of coming out if contract would be helpful, but overall an improvement on the old, pretty poor effort.
You’ve just got to get my gas smart meter working now (2 years and counting!)

Like many other reviews, I have given the new app the benefit of time and the doubt. However after 2 months all I have to say is how appalling the app is. I have now got access to how much I am paying and what my meter readings are but that is it. There is no hourly, daily, weekly or monthly graphs only meter readings taken. I have ticked the section that says ‘half hourly’ readings, but still nothing. As far as I can see all the app is good for is viewing bills and inputting meter readings. The previous app, whilst not amazing, enabled me to view my smart meter readings. I’m not sure why I have been moved to an inferior system and can only think it may be British gas’ way to get us to not track as closely and therefore not save as much. I have noticed that since December, my bills are up compared to previously and believe part of the issue to be that I have not been able to track my usage. Yes, I may be a little on the geeky side that I do check most days, but I doubt I am alone in this. I believe that 3 months is long enough to get access to my breakdowns. There is also no app access to the chat bits that then let you talk to someone which again, I am sure is a deliberate barrier to avoid complaints or issues. It really is not good enough from such a huge company with so many customers. Octopus energy treat customers 1000 x better in the opinion of friends and family that I have. I have wanted to stay with British Gas but I am now considering my options.

I actually thought the old App, though somewhat cumbersome with repeated means of arriving at the same information, I did find that with regular usage, I did find ways of getting to the information that I wanted. Having been forced to download it’s replacement, I have found a much more streamlined App with far less duplication a a somewhat clearer pathway to basic information. Very annoyingly, I have lost a lot of stored usage data and there is nothing which is useable for comparison purposes and reliable information which I can use for my own collection of usage data. Furthermore, there is no way of locating any useful information about making contact with an actual person and one has to go through the futility of dealing with a Bot, merely to liaise with a human being - on the other side of the world !! These people guarantee that one’s questions and problems (long standing) will be sorted out very shortly BUT this is never the case and one just goes round in circles. There is NO useable phone contact available to speak to a person in the UK either. This should be what the App is for, to provide a quick, useable means of accessing realistic support rather than a means of getting customers to give up. At my time of life I wonder if I will survive long enough to ever get my problems sorted out. Loyalty to BG has counted for nothing…..