Trouble getting the cheapest deals?

News has come out this week that some of the Big Six energy suppliers are barring their existing customers from being able to find the cheapest tariffs that they have on offer.

Having been uncovered by Radio 4's 'Moneybox' programme - researchers have found that E.ON, EDF, SSE, and British Gas have ensured that their existing customers are unable to make the most of the cheapest prices they offer to new customers.

These tariffs for existing customers can end up costing hundreds of pounds a year more than if they were to switch onto a more competitive tariffs designed to attract new customers.

Previously, this type of practice was ruled as unfair and banned by the industry regulator Ofgem in April 2014. Earlier this year Ofgem announced that they would no longer be reinforcing this rule after a recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Comparison agencies have compared the prices by either renewing as an existing member of the supplier, or registering as a new one, and with E.ON this price difference came in at £260. But E.ON is not the only one to employ this tactic.

Research by the BBC has found the following results from British Gas:

• 'Home Energy Exclusive June 17' tariff as a new customer - £735
• 'Home Energy Exclusive June 17' tariff as an existing British Gas customer - £972

These tariffs have also been shown to be hidden from other services such as the Energy Helpline because the information provided will rule them out of being a new customer with the existing supplier.

However, currently the consensus is that the other Big Six suppliers will not follow in the direction of their competitors. Scottish Power released a statement to say that they will not be offering these sorts of tariffs, stating that their customers can switch freely between the different tariffs on offer.

The best way to ensure that the price you are paying is competitive is to take on the advice of an unbiased and neutral help line, such as the Energy Advice Line. The leading price comparison and switching service provides free advice, and if you wish to change your supplier they will do all the hardwork for you from initial sign up through to completion.

To find out more visit energyadviceline.org.uk

More incentives needed for users to switch

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed new figures showing a 30% increase in the number of consumers changing suppliers in the first half of this year.

But Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said more needed to be done to incentivize consumers languishing on standard variable tariffs.

"We certainly welcome the fact that more and more consumers are heeding the message that they need to switch supplier to save money on their energy bills," Mr Morgan said.

"But there are still worrying numbers of householders paying over the odds because they're on standard tariffs - the most expensive way to pay for your energy.

"This significant core group of consumers needs to be targeted by the government and the energy regulator, and ways found to encourage them to change their habits so they don't continue to waste money by paying more for their energy than they need to."

Ofgem recently published new figures showing that more than 3.8 million UK households switch supplier in the first half of 2016 - around 1 million more than in the same period last year. Of these, around 1.6 million domestic customers switched gas suppliers and 2.2 million domestic customers switched electricity suppliers.

The data also shows that consumers have more choice than ever, with over 40 suppliers now competing for their business.

However, Ofgem's data also revealed that 66% of domestic customers were still on expensive variable tariffs, despite repeated warnings that switching supplier and moving to a cheaper, often fixed-term deal, could yield savings of £300 or more.

"Ofgem claims that introducing reforms recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this year to better protect those on pre-payment meters and increase competition for all other customers, would encourage more people to switch," Mr Morgan said.

"However, their own figures show that much more needs to be done. There are some great deals out there, and more suppliers than ever to choose from, yet many people are either unaware of this and how much money they can save, or believe it's too difficult.

"Ofgem needs to drive home the message that, with winter coming, consumers need to be active when it comes to their energy suppliers and seek out savings."

To encourage more switching, Ofgem plans to trial "more effective prompts" on customer's bills to encourage them to compare different tariffs. But the regulator has ruled out capping standard variable tariffs.

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.

The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

When did you last check your meter?

The UK's leading price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users has urged business and domestic consumers to check their bills and meters after thousands of people were incorrectly charged by suppliers.

Energy regulator Ofgem has revealed that customers whose metric gas meters, measured in cubic meters, were read as imperials (in cubic feet) and had been charged too much. Ofgem has asked suppliers to investigate how many customers have been affected.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, said the revelations proved how important it was for customers to always supply meter readings, to check the readings against bills and to query any anomalies.

"It could well be that the thousands of customers believed to have been affected by this error could have done nothing to prevent it," Mr Morgan said.

"But it proves that suppliers do indeed make mistakes and that customers need to be pro-active when it comes to energy.

"Faulty meters, incorrect readings and human error - unfortunately all these things do happen and can lead to significant overcharging. At the end of the day, consumers need to be vigilant."

The meter reading errors were identified by energy giant E.on earlier this year, prompting a wider prove into how many people have been over or undercharged. Ofgem has said it believes that 'a very small number' of gas customers had been affected - around 6,300 people - but that suppliers had been asked to investigate and report back.

The regulator said that customers did not need to do anything because suppliers would contact those affected. But Mr Morgan urged customers to check with suppliers themselves just to be sure.

"Given the track record of suppliers when it comes to being upfront about mistakes, we recommend that customers with a gas meter who feel they might have been overcharged to contact their suppliers and ask for their bills to be checked.

"It could well be that some affected customers have slipped through the net.

"Even with the national rollout of smart meters, which are designed to deliver real time meter readings from homes and businesses, consumers need to take care.

"Mistakes happen and technology can be faulty."

E.on has apologised and confirmed that around 350 residential and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be refunded and compensated after the problem was discovered.

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.

The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Energy Advice Line joins warnings about post-Brexit price hikes

The Energy Advice Line has joined the chorus of energy experts warning that household and business energy prices could be about to rise, driven partly by the Brexit vote.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said the Co-op had already advised that it would be raising bills by between 3% and 6% from October 1 - representing an increase up to £70.

"Not only has the wholesale price of gas risen steadily over the past three months, but the value of sterling has fallen against the euro, representing a double whammy for British consumers," Mr Morgan said.

"This means thast as well as the wholesale price of energy rising, imports are 10% high still due to currency fluctuations.

"The Co-op has signaled that the average bill for dual-fuel customers on a standard plan will rise from £1,152 to £1,184 a year, while people with pre-payment meters could find their bills rising from £1,115 to £1,184.

"This is worrying and could be a sign that other suppliers are about to follow suit."

Independent energy consultant Cornwall Energy has confirmed that changes in the exchange rate since Brexit had made power more expensive in Britain. Gas imported from other European countries was used for household energy suppliers and for burning in power stations to produce electricity, it explained.

Mr Morgan said this meant that suppliers, especially smaller companies unable to buy their energy as far ahead as the Big Six, would inevitably pass on these extra costs to consumers.

"The only thing consumers can do is to fight back and switch suppliers," Mr Morgan said. "Despite the overall upward trend, good deals are still available, even as we head into winter. It's crucial that consumers shop around - ideally come to us for advice about the best deals available."

Even without the upward pressure on energy bills, Mr Morgan said, the Competition and Markets Authority recently concuded that customers who stayed on the most expensive standard tariffs were collectively wasting as much as £1.7 billion a year.

"It makes complete sense to regularly switch supplier and seek out the good deals elsewhere, regardless of what's happening to wholesale energy prices and the exchange rate," Mr Morgan said.

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, uncluding calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.

The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. THe service also offers a free advice line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Is the UK at risk of energy shortages?

As cooler weather begins to roll in the talk of energy shortages and blackouts has returned. However, this year it is reported that our smart energy revolution can help to combat the issue, according to the UK chief of the National Grid.

Nicola Shaw has commented that an 'internet of energy' will help our white goods balance the demand on our energy supply. Whereas counter arguments have formed saying that what the UK really needs is more power generated from gas as a back up this winter.

Shaw believes that supply can be managed simply by UK households changing their demand patterns. She agrees that gas power could help, but doesn't not agree that it's the way forward. Statistics show that between 30% and 50% of energy fluctuations could be smoothed out by both households and businesses adjusting their demand during peak times.

Many energy suppliers currently offer cheaper prices outside of peak times, such as after midnight and before 8am. This doesn't suit most businesses, but households can adapt where possible to help make small savings. A firm in Cornwall has created an incentive for it's customers to use more power when the sun is out thanks to the extra solar power.

Speaking to BBC News, Shaw stated "we are at a moment of real change in the energy industry", meaning that the large energy organisations are now mostly using solar power in order to generate their supply.

People are already changing their energy usage in order to place less pressure on the system, and it's this smart usage of energy that will help us to avoid any unnessecary power cuts and blackouts this winter.

Embracing 'smart energy' and being wise about your spend will help the industry to progress into making new discoveries about how the country can be powered. If you're ever unsure about the figures on your bill then simply pay a visit to energyadviceline.org.uk - businesses and homeowners can receive free energy advice.