Switching Suppliers

Any action to reduce household fuel bills will have a beneficial effect on fuel poverty. In the competitive market, savings can often be made by switching to another electricity and/or gas supplier. This should be a relatively easy process but some people may find it confusing. The key to making switching easier is gaining access to good quality, independent information.

Savings may be made by switching supplier

Gas and electricity markets have been fully competitive since 1999. This means all householders have a choice of gas and electricity supplier. New suppliers generally offer better terms than the incumbent supplier and most consumers can reduce their existing fuel costs if they shop around to get the best deal.

Some utility companies also offer specific energy packages tailored to meet the needs of particular sections of the community. For instance Age Concern together with e.on offers a special energy package tailored to meet the needs of older people. For those over 60 the package offers:

a cold weather payment that gives the equivalent of two extra hours of gas fire use for every day below freezing between December and February
free energy efficiency surveys
free carbon monoxide detectors and early warning hypothermia thermometers
a donation to Age Concern for each year the customer is on the tariff

Other suppliers have other schemes on offer:

Suppliers must give accurate advice to enquirers about savings they offer although they will need information about the household’s energy consumption. Customers should ask about both gas and electricity (savings on one fuel may be outweighed by charges on another) and about total bills (the advantage of no standing charge may be outweighed by higher unit prices).

Office of Gas and Electricity Markets 0800 887777

9 Millbank, London, SW1P 3GE Website: www.ofgem.gov.uk

Comparative energy prices can be found at:

Download the attached sheet if you wish to switch suppliers Click Here

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_{NEA acknowledges the support of Powergen in developing these advice pages}