Flow Energy has closed: latest customer information

Flow Energy is now OctopusFlow Energy ceased trading in 2019 and its customer base was acquired by Octopus Energy. To find out what will happen to your Flow Utility tariff, supply, account login, billing, and smart meter, or to find updated contact info, head to the relevant sections in this page.

Flow Energy UK was an Ipswich-based gas and electricity provider that supplied energy to households across the UK. In 2018 it was bought by Co-op Energy, though tariffs continued to be sold under the Flow Energy name. However, in 2019 Octopus Energy acquired all Flow Energy customers and the supplier ceased trading. Read on for more details on the former provider and information on what happens now for customers.

Who is Flow Energy?

Flow Energy UK was a gas and electricity supplier based in Ipswich, UK. It started supplying energy to UK households in April 2013 and quickly grew to have 250,000 customers. It stopped trading in 2019.

As well as promoting itself as an ‘energy technology company’, Flow Energy tried to be as green as possible and also manufactured micro-combined heat and power (CHP) boilers. The company also offered smart products, such as smart thermostats.

Is Flow Energy still trading?

Flow Energy UK is no longer trading.

In 2018, the company was bought by fellow UK supplier Co-op Energy. Under Cooperative ownership, the Flow brand was maintained and continued to sell energy tariffs under the name.

However, in August 2019, Co-op Energy formed a partnership with Octopus Energy. As part of the partnership, Flow Energy customers became Octopus customers and the Flow brand was shut down.

Is Flow Energy now Octopus Energy?

As part of a 2019 partnership between former Flow Energy owner Co-op Energy and Octopus Energy, the latter provider acquired all Flow Energy customers. As a result, Flow Energy no longer exists, and all customers are now Octopus Energy customers, meaning they have access to all of its account management services, e.g. online account and app.

Customers with a Flow Energy tariff will remain on this until it comes to an end, then they will be moved onto an Octopus Energy tariff.

New login and account management

Flow Energy customers will find their online account has changed since the company was taken over. You can now manage your account, including submit meter readings, pay bills and track energy usage, via Octopus Energy’s online system.

App

Flow Energy did not have an app, but luckily for former customers, their new supplier does! The Octopus app lets you manage your account from your mobile or tablet, meaning you can submit meter readings and pay bills when you’re on the go.

The mobile app can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices.

Meter readings

Flow Energy customers are now using the Octopus Energy account system. This means you can submit meter readings through your new online account or via the supplier’s mobile app.

You should continue submitting meter readings as regularly as you did with Flow Energy, i.e. once a month, to ensure you receive accurate bills.

New contact details

If you are a former Flow Energy customer, you will need to contact Octopus Energy with any questions and problems. The provider will get in touch with you to let you know when your account has been moved.

In the table below we have listed the following original Flow Energy contact information for reference: contact number, email address and postal address.

Complaints

Your new provider is under no obligation to deal with any ongoing complaints you might have with Flow Energy. However, if you do have a Flow Energy complaint pending, you can discuss it with the new customer service to see if they can resolve it for you.

Officially, any pending Flow Energy complaints will be resolved by the Energy Ombudsman.

If you encounter any new issues or problems with your tariff or account, you now need to place a complaint with your new supplier.

Flow Energy reviews

Since the closure of this supplier, information in this guide is no longer frequently updated. All information presented here was correct at time of original publication and is for reference purposes only. For more up to date information please contact the new supplier directly.

Flow Energy was highly rated on Trustpilot and Citizens Advice for outstanding customer service. It was one of only two companies to be reviewed as a Which? recommended provider for quality service in 2018.

In the 2018 Which? survey, Flow received an average score of 77% from almost 9,000 people participating, beating all the Big Six companies. It received top marks for customer service and billing, and 4/5 for value for money.

Flow Energy reviews also show it had fantastic call waiting times, responding to customer service calls in an average of 1.2 minutes and sales calls in 55 seconds.

Its email response rate was also good, answering emails in an average of 4 days.

Customer reviews on Trustpilot are mostly positive, with 77% of reviews rating the supplier as good or excellent. These Flow Energy reviews focus on the good level of customer service, stating it is efficient and friendly.

We noted some recent negative reviews on Trustpilot, however, these seem to be related to the changes in the company. A number of customers note frustration at being moved to a new supplier without being informed beforehand.

It’s important to note that as Flow Energy has closed, all customers will be moved to Octopus Energy. The latter supplier will contact you after you have been moved, not before.

The good news is that your new supplier receives great reviews and, like Flow, has been a Which? recommended supplier. Find out more in our Octopus Energy reviews guide.

Flow Energy tariffs

Flow Energy offered a wide range of tariffs, including fixed and variable plans, for households. As the company has closed, you can no longer sign up for one of the Flow Energy tariffs. We have listed these tariffs below as a reference, but for up to date information, you should visit Octopus Energy tariffs.

Flow Energy offered two variable tariffs. One of these tariffs, the ‘Flow Variable Green’ tariff, offered 100% renewable electricity. The standard variable tariff, also called the ‘Flow Variable’ tariff, provided 50% of its electricity from renewable sources.

Previous Flow Energy customers were automatically switched to the Octopus standard tariff unpon expiration of their Flow Energy tariff..

These tariffs are no longer offered For up-to-date pricing information, please contact the new supplier.

Flow Energy tariffs also included two fixed-rate options. Even after customers were moved to the new supplier, the rates for these fixed tariffs were honored until the contract ended. The Flow Daisy tariff expired in July 2019, and the Flow Lily tariff expired in March 2020. Customers who did not choose a new tariff were then switched to the Octopus standard tariff.

Flow Energy tariffs were not available for prepayment customers.

Fuel Mix

Flow Energy worked hard to supply green energy and most of its tariffs could be upgraded to be 100% renewable in electricity. Without this upgrade, 50% of electricity automatically came from sustainable sources.

The good news for former Flow Energy UK customers is that their new supplier is also 100% renewable. All of its electricity comes from UK sourced green energy and customers have the option to off-set all of their gas if they wish.

Smart meters

Flow Energy began its smart meter rollout in 2018. Customers who had a Flow Energy second-generation smart meter installed will find it still works with their new supplier.

Unfortunately for customers with a first-generation Flow Energy smart meter, this will likely not work with your new supplier and will revert to 'dumb' mode, meaning you will need to submit meter readings manually.

Warm home discount

If you received the Warm Home Discount with Flow Energy, it would have been unaffected for the 2019/2020 winter period, meaning you should have received it regardless of switching suppliers.

For the upcoming years, you will need to apply with your new supplier if you are in Broader Group. If you fall into the Core Group, you will not need to apply as the government will assign you the discount automatically through your new supplier.

Find out who is eligible and what group you fall into in our definitive Warm Home Discount guide.