Thursday 17 November 2016

Most expensive energy tariffs revealed

most expensive energy tariffs revealed winter 2016

As winter draws in and energy bills start to creep up, a list has been published that highlights the ten worst energy deals on the UK. Four of which are misleadingly labelled as a 'standard' tariff.

Four of the Big Six energy companies feature on the list where independent supplier Co-operative Energy sits in the number one spot with their 'Green Pioneer' tariff.

Npower, Scottish Power, SSE, and EDF are the four Big Six companies named and shamed this month. Pay as you go customers are still in the dark as to how their tariff truly measures up as this research only takes into consideration those on contracted prices.

Co-operative energy came in at the top of the list with a total cost of £361 per year than the cheapest tariff on the market.

Overall an estimated total of 2.3 million people are using these ten tariffs, and are typically higher priced as they require the customer to pay by cash or cheque, rather than the cheaper option of monthly direct debits.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison and switching service, Energy Advice Line, commented, "It's more important than ever for consumers to not only be aware of the price that they are apying, but also how their chosen method of payment can affect their overall annual spend.

"It's reached that time of year where bills start to rocket due to the colder weather and turning on the central heating. Be sensible with your temperatures and don't find yourself landed with a large bill out of the blue."

The Energy Advice Line provides a service that is not only free, but also completely impartial. Advice is available for both business and domestic customers that may need assistance in understanding their bills, or finding the best rate.

For more information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Thursday 10 November 2016

Millions of consumers on 'energy autopilot'

Millions of consumers on 'energy autopilot'

Millions of businesses and households were missing out on substantial savings on their energy bills because they assumed they were on the cheapest tariff without actually checking, according to the Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said a new survey by the Energy Saving Trust showed the extent to which UK consumers were unaware they were paying too much.

The survey found thatm ore than 13 million British households missed out on savings last year because they didn't switch suppliers. It also revealed that a large number of consumers were on 'energy autopilot', with nearly 60% of non-switchers believing they were on the cheapest tariff available, which the Trust said was unlikely.

"This is further evidence that many businesses and households are missing out on substantial savings on their energy bills because they wrongly assume they are on the cheapest tariff," Mr Morgan said.

"The truth is that energy prices are always fluctuating and suppliers are constantly changing their fixed and non-fixed deals.

"This means that no-one can assume they are on the cheapest tariffs without shopping around on a regular basis, and switching supplier accordingly."

Recent figures from the enegry regulator Ofgem show that households can save around £300 each year just by switching suppliers, yet the majority of consumers fail to do this.

In fact, the Energy Saving Trust survey showed that consumers were more than twice as likely to change home insurer than energy provider, with only 24% oh households having switched at least four times in the past decade.

"These figures should really trigger alarm bells with Ofgem and the government, and prompt them to do more to encourage consumers to shop around and switch," Mr Morgan said.

"Bill and tariffs are still too complex for consumers to be able to compare deals easily, so more needs to be done to make it as simple to switch their energy supplier and their insurer.

"The government also needs to drive home the message that the savings to be made from switching supplier regularly really are substantial.

"Mostp eople wouldn't contemplate throwing £300 down the drain - yet this is what they could be doing by not being pro-active when it comes to their energy supplies."

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

Thursday 3 November 2016

Consumers should brace for price hikes

Consumers should brace for price hikes

Consumers should ensure they shop around for the best energy deals now, following warnings by experts that the weaker pound is pushing up the cost of imported gas and electricity, according to the Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said one supplier had already announced a 30% hike for around 70,000 of its customers.

GB Energy Supply, a new supplier that entered the market in January last year, recently announced it would increase average annual bills from £820 to £1,060 for customers on its standard variable deal. In August, OVO Energy announced a 3.6% increase and Co-operative Energy put up prices by 3% in October.

Industry analysts have predicted that other suppliers will follow suit. Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pentheon Macroeconomics, was reported last week as saying that bills could go up by 5% in the short term and 15% over a longer period. This was in response to the wholesale costs for gas and electricity jumping by 20% and 50% respectively since the summer.

"It's now time to act without delay," Mr Morgan said. "Consumers need to shop around to get the best deals.

"The trend is upward for energy prices and consumers need to be pro-active to protect themselves from nasty surprises as the cold weather sets in.

"It's widely expected that the Big Six suppliers will raise their prices this winter, with potentially further price hikes to come down the track."

Mr Morgan said that consumers should shop around and consider locking themselves into fixed deals while they were still available. Although prices were generally on the rise, there were still very good competitive deals available.

"The potential savings to be made through switching are significant, particularly if you have never switched before, or haven't done so for a while," Mr Morgan said.

"Ofgem estimates consumers can save £300 annually but it very much depends on how often you switch.

"For those consumers on a standard energy tariff - by far the most expensive - the savings to be achieved by switching could be even more than £300 annually.

"And even for the very small minority of customers who switch suppliers regularly, shopping around is still well worth doing, even though the savings will be less."

The Energy Advice Line is a consumer champion and an independent price comparison and switching service for householders and small and medium-sized businesses. The service enables consumers to quickly and simply compare electricity and gas prices, and to switch to the best available deal on the market.

The service also offers free advice and a contract management service, including alerts to remind business consumers when their fixed-term energy contracts are about to end.

For further information, visit energyadviceline.org.uk