Warning for consumers this summer as media outlets suggest price rises could come this Autumn

Consumers across the Country will be on edge to learn that rumours of further gas and electricity price rises are increasing, with a number of newspapers suggesting that an Autumn price rise is likely. With the last round of price increases coming into effect this January, many households will be hard-pressed to cope with yet more increases to their energy costs at a time when budgets are already stretched.

The factors that are leading many to conclude that price increases are inevitable are as follows:

1. Industry signals and conversations. We watch the media and trading statements like a hawk for signals on price moves. There have been a number of signals in trading statements since New Year scarily reminiscent of last year when a similar pattern preceded the 5-10% price rises in late summer / autumn.
2. Q1 & particularly March – March was the coldest for 60 years. January and February were also colder than normal. As we were still getting conditions below freezing well into April, this winter has been described by some as the longest winter in history. Now you may be thinking that should be good news for energy companies. Gas usage spiked in March and over the winter was 15-20% higher than normal. So sales were up. And for some energy companies this may be good news but for many they had to buy in lots of extra gas to serve customers at very high prices when the market was at its peak. Some suppliers have told us that March wiped out most of their winter profits.
3. Transmission & Distribution Costs – these are the costs of the pipes and wires and they keep on rising. The National Grid have just reported mega profits.
4. Environmental Costs – these keep on rising too – the money to subsidise wind farms, free insulation and solar panels has to come from somewhere – unfortunately it’s a levy on suppliers that ends up in your bill. One newspaper article calculated these costs could be as high as £600 per home per year by 2020.
5. Wholesale Costs – these were high over the winter and the forward prices for next winter remain high - not good.

The overall trend in energy costs is up. With the typical energy bill now standing at £1,420 a year (source: Ofgem), many could save hundreds of pounds by simply switching provider.

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

ScottishPower and npower both offer cashback on a variety of tariffs

Consumers looking to save money on their gas and electricity will be delighted to learn that two suppliers are currently running cashback deals. The offers apply to certain npower and ScottishPower tariffs.

The ScottishPower cashback deal offers £30 back per fuel chosen. So a customer choosing a dual fuel tariff with ScottishPower would receive £60 cashback. The offer is available to all ScottishPower tariffs via the energyhelpline site, including their cheap discounted variable tariff Online Energy Saver 22 and their long fixed-price offering Fixed Price Energy February 2016 which locks rates for almost three years!

Similarly, npower is still offering a range of cashback deals on some of its tariffs. They are offering £20 cashback on their Online Price Fix August 2014 tariff, £60 on Price Fix December 2015, and £50 for their Price Fix September 2016 tariff.

These cashback offers are available until further notice, but customers are advised to snap them up while they are on offer as the suppliers may remove them at any time. To see if you could save money on your gas and electricity, and receive a great cashback offer, compare your energy supplier now.

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Consumers looking to protect themselves against future gas and electricity price rises will welcome the news that a number of long-term fixed tariffs are currently available. With many predicting that further price rises could happen later this year, following the trend of previous years, a fixed-rate deal becomes a very attractive option for households looking to freeze their budgets for the future.

One of the newly launched tariffs is npower’s Price Fix September 2016, which is currently the longest fixed rate tariff available. Customers taking up this tariff would see their prices fixed until September 30, 2016, providing over three years of price protection. The tariff cost’s £1,318 on average, providing a small savings of £102 over the current national average bill of £1,420 (source: Ofgem). However, as the prices will stay fixed for three years the real discounts would start to materialise in the coming years, with price rises expected to push the average bill even higher. The tariff also benefits from having no cancelation penalties.

Another long fixed product is EDF’s Blue+ Price Promise February 2015, which fixes prices until February 28, 2015 and costs £1,192 on average. This represents a savings of £228 over the national average bill and sees you lock your rates for two winters. The tariff also benefits from no cancelation penalties.

Commenting on the launch of these tariffs, Mark Todd, director of price comparison service energyhelpline.com said, “npower's Price Fix September 2016 is not the cheapest tariff out there, but in a market where prices rise much more than they fall this deal offers consumers much needed security. Stability is important to households needing to tightly plan budgets, and this tariff will ensure no surprise price hikes for over three years. The EDF tariff also offers similar peace of mind.”

“We'd urge consumers to make sure they are getting the best deal they can, and be savvy when it comes to switching. With npower offering this tariff alongside no exit penalties consumers can opt for security, but also make an early switch should its competitors come out fighting or prices start dropping."

 
  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

British Gas has reportedly received a huge boost following higher than usual consumption during the recent cold weather snap. Parent company Centrica has reported that household consumption for the first four months of 2013 was 18% higher for gas and 3% higher for electricity when compared to the same period last year.

The company has stated that any reward they receive from the higher consumption will be used to offset future price increases for as long as possible. Finance director, Nick Luff, commented, "The fact is we make a margin selling gas. We will have made a higher margin because of the extra volume and we will use that to keep prices down during the rest of the year."

Responding to the news Mark Todd, director of price comparison service energyhelpline.com stated, “The 18% increase in gas usage British Gas has reported, is equivalent to a further 6% price rise in an annual gas and electricity bill. That’s another £75 extra for each household. It’s yet more bad news for homeowners as they open their energy bills. Unfortunately, the bad news may not stop there! It’s being widely predicted that we will see even more price rises of 5 to 10% from energy suppliers in the autumn.

"Hopefully, British Gas will buck the trend and put some of its profits into the pockets of its customers. Especially as it has the second highest standard prices of the big six for dual fuel monthly direct debit and was one of the quickest (second of six) to raise its prices last year.

"Our advice to UK households is switch and save for a better deal. With price rises likkely a fixed tariff is the best option – a good fixed deal can save customers around £230 a year now and could easily save double or treble that over the lifetime of the tariff with price rises to come.”

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Average bill now stands at £1,420 a year, with more rises feared

In just three short years the average cost of gas and electricity in the UK has rocketed by over £300, sending the average annual dual fuel energy bill to record levels at £1,420. With both first:utility and Cooperative Energy announcing price rises in the past few weeks, there are concerns that the trend will continue with bills being pushed even further by the end of the year.

The figures within Ofgem’s latest Electricity and Gas Supply Market Indicator report show that the annual dual fuel bill has risen by 29%, from £1,105 to £1,420 since April 2010. This report comes at the same time the Office of National Statistics has reported the lowest pay increase levels since records began, with salaries only increasing by 1% on average in 2013.

Mark Todd, director of price comparison service energyhelpline commented, “Cash strapped UK households are being hit hard from all directions. Austerity measures are putting pressure on jobs and real wages are plummeting as the cost of living rises. Consumers are experiencing attacks on their wallets from energy companies, several of whom have recently reported increased profits.”

“Competition and regulation of the energy sector is a continuing saga and it appears that the Government has no effective answer to the problems of rising energy bills," added Todd. "Smaller suppliers, whilst having consistently offered some of the lowest tariffs on the market have also now followed suit rising prices on some tariffs. These tariffs have however clearly given customers lower prices over the past year than if a customer had stayed on a big six standard rate. Our current tip is to switch to a fixed rate tariff as these guarantee prices and savings. Energy prices over the long term look like moving only in one direction – and that’s up! .”

Average UK Gas & Electricity Bills and Price Rises

(figures for bill values from OFGEM)

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

The end of April and beginning of May sees a number of Fixed, Capped, and Internet tariffs ending. For any consumers who are on any of these tariffs now is the time to compare and find a new great deal to ensure you still get the best deal on your gas and electricity.

Some of the plans ending include npower's Go Fix 11 fixed tariff, ScottishPowers' Online Fixed Price Energy May 2013 tariff, and E.ON''s Price Control.

With a number of great fixed price deals on the market, you could still grab a savings and secure your energy costs for as much as two years from now. That would provide you with protection from the impact of two winters as well as shield you from any further price rises for the duration of the fix. With most experts predicting that further price hikes are on the way, perhaps as early as this autumn, there really is no time to waste to grab a cheap energy deal.

A full list of the tariffs expiring appears below:

Supplier	Tariff	End Date
	Online Fixed Price Energy May 2013	30/04/2013
	Price Control	01/05/2013
	Go Fix 11	21/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 (pre feb 11)	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 NSC	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 NSC (pre feb 11)	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 Online	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 Online (pre feb 11)	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 Online NSC	31/05/2013
	Capped Price Energy June 2013 Online NSC pre feb11	31/05/2013
	Fixed Saver June 2013	31/05/2013
	Fixed Saver June 2013 NSC	31/05/2013
	Fixed Saver June 2013 Online	31/05/2013
	Fixed Saver June 2013 Online NSC	31/05/2013

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Consumers looking to save money on gas and electricity will be pleased to hear that a number of suppliers are currently offering cashback offers for new customers signing up to their tariffs. Those looking to take advantage of these deals are urged to act fast however, as they are expected to run for a limited time only.

ScottishPower have a £30 cashback on offer for dual fuel switches (£15 per fuel) for all of their tariffs that are currently available. This includes their Online Energy Saver 21 tariff which costs £1,164 a year on average consumption, a £256 saving over a typical bill of £1,420 (Source: Ofgem). The ScottishPower cashback deal was due to expire on Monday, April 22nd, but has been extended to Wednesday, April 24th giving you just over 24 hours to grab their deal..

Also still running is Sainsbury’s Energy’s cashback of £35 for customers signing up to their Online April 2014 tariff through Energyhelpline. Sainsbury’s Energy services are provided by British Gas, and the tariff sees a discount of 4% over the Clear and Simple tariff until 30th April 2014 and has an annual average bill of £1,165, a saving of £255 from the typical annual bill of £1,420 (source: Ofgem).

To see if you could save money on your gas and electricity, and receive a great cashback offer, compare your energy supplier now.

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Consumers looking to save money on gas and electricity will be pleased to hear that a number of suppliers are currently offering cashback offers for new customers signing up to their tariffs. Those looking to take advantage of these deals are urged to act fast however, as they are expected to run for a limited time only.

ScottishPower have made available £30 cashback for dual fuel switches (£15 per fuel) for all of their tariffs that are currently available. This includes their Online Energy Saver 21 tariff which costs £1,164 a year on average consumption, a £256 saving over a typical bill of £1,420 (Source: Ofgem). The ScottishPower cashback deal expires on Monday, April 22nd so customers are advised to act now if they want to grab the offer.

Also still running is Sainsbury’s Energy’s cashback of £35 for customers signing up to their Online April 2014 tariff through Energyhelpline. Sainsbury’s Energy services are provided by British Gas, and the tariff sees a discount of 4% over the Clear and Simple tariff until 30th April 2014 and has an annual average bill of £1,165, a saving of £255 from the typical annual bill of £1,420 (source: Ofgem).

To see if you could save money on your gas and electricity, and receive a great cashback offer, compare your energy supplier now.

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Energy suppliers are once again under the microscope as Ofgem reveals that suppliers are now earning £95 profit per dual fuel household they serve. The regulator also revealed that this number would climb even further in the next 12 months, estimating that profits would hit £100 per household over the coming year.

Fuel poverty campaigners are concerned over the figures according to media sources, and claim that market reforms will not be able to stem the tidal wave of higher bills. Ofgem has put forward a series of market reforms with their spokesman saying, “We are planning the most radical changes to the market since competition began, to make it simpler, clearer and fairer.” However, Sam Robertson, a campaigner with Fuel Poverty Action commented, “...piecemeal market reforms will not go far enough, especially given the threat of a dash for gas that will send bills through the roof.”

With customers often left confused by the sheer number and variety of tariffs available, Mark Todd, director of price comparison service Energyhelpline.com has suggested a five-step plan to shake up the energy industry, these are:

1. Cut stealth taxes in bills by 50 per cent, delivering an immediate £50 price cut in a typical bill
2. All direct debits credits over £100 automatically given back to customer at end of each quarter or penalties to the energy company that are given back to consumer
3. Directly inject competition – a nationalised, low-cost energy supplier – a kind of publicly owned Ryanair or easyjet to shake up the market
4. Simple standardised bills with tariff names on top and a glossary on the back
5. Ban complex pricing structures that have confused customers

Todd also advocates consumers actively comparing suppliers to ensure that they are on the best deal, he commented, “To pay less bill-payers need to switch regularly. This doesn't have to be an onerous task. By checking and comparing rates every two to three years using an independent switching service households can save hundreds and maintain low, competitive rates . The average UK home only switches every eight years and that’s one big reason why they end up paying so much.”

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Consumers looking to save money on their gas and electricity bills will be interested to hear of some special offers and new tariffs that suppliers have made available this week.

The first is a special offer from Sainsbury’s Energy of £35 cashback for customers signing up to their Online April 2014 tariff through Energyhelpline. Sainsbury’s Energy services are provided by British Gas, and the tariff sees a discount of 4% over the Clear and Simple tariff until 30th April 2014 and has an annual average bill of £1,165, a saving of £255 from the typical annual bill of £1,420 (source: Ofgem). However there are cancelation fees associated with the tariff of £30 per fuel if you leave before the contract end date of 30th April 2014, which you will need to be aware of if you want to switch to another tariff after signing up.

Another deal that has just arrived is the new EDF Blue+ Price Promise February 2015 tariff. The tariff appears near the top of our cheapest fixed deals table, with an average annual cost of £1,192 a year, a saving of £228 over a typical dual fuel bill. The big advantage with this tariff is that prices are fixed until 28th of February 2015 so customers signing up will be immune to any price increases until that time. There are also no cancellation fees for the Blue+ tariff meaning you could always switch away should you decide to without penalty.

To see how these great deals and other suppliers could help you save money to compare all suppliers now

New research has shown that many across the UK are struggling to cope with the rate of steadily rising household utility bills. According to a report by the Debt Advisory Centre, 1.9 million adults are in arrears to their gas provider with another 1.9 million in debt to their electricity supplier. The figures provide a shocking insight into the debt that many are succumbing too because they cannot afford rising bills.

Of the numbers already in debt, the research has shown that many have been in debt to their supplier for some time. Nearly half (41%) had been in debt to their electricity supplier for more than three months, with 33% in arrears to their gas supplier for three months or longer. Those in these categories are at a very real possibility of their supplier forcing them to install a prepayment meter to avoid going into further debt.

The advice the Debt Advisory Centre offers to those who are struggling to pay their utility bills is to carry on paying your usage costs, to contact your provider to make an arrangement to pay off your arrears on top of your usage, and to consider having a prepayment meter fitted in order to bring down your arrears.

Those who are concerned about rising energy costs and struggling to afford their bills should also compare their supplier with others on the market to see if they can reduce their overheads. With many tariffs on the market a large percentage of the population could be missing out on substantial annual savings without realising they are paying too much for their gas and electricity. Comparing suppliers regularly is the only way that individuals can ensure they are paying the least for their utilities.

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

New research by price comparison service Energyhelpline has revealed that UK consumers will be digging deep this winter to pay their gas and electricity bills. The true cost to a household of the double-whammy of price rises and prolonged cold weather has been estimated at £557 for the period of January to March. This bill comprises a 9% increase from the autumn’s price rises and a further 13% increase in gas costs.

With households forced to turn up the thermostat to battle the recent big freeze, many across the country will be concerned about the impact the increased bill will have on their finances. Commenting on the research director of energyhelpline.com, Mark Todd, said, “Unfortunately the pain could get even worse later this year as further 10% price rises are possible in the autumn. These would take average bills to over £1,500 a year!”

“Customers already reeling from 9% or £100 price rises in their yearly energy bills will be shocked to find out that now they are going to get hit with a further 13% increase in their winter gas bill due to the cold weather that we’ve been having. This is a terrible double whammy to hard pressed households already battered by the recession, real terms pay cuts and inflation.”

“If you thought the wintry weather was bad; all the snow and ice, wait till your energy bill arrives in April. Unless you have switched to a cheap deal it is very likely to send a further chill down your spine.

“January to March have been cold, March really cold. This has sent gas bills up by another £44. The average January – March household energy bill will now be a whopping £557 – the highest in UK history. The economy is in a shocking state and unfortunately there’s never been a worse time to be an energy customer as prices keep rising and freezing winters keep coming. ”

The annual typical dual fuel bill currently sits at £1,420, and with no end in sight to the cycle of price rises it is important for bill-payers to take stock of their situation and compare their current supplier with others on the market. Only by running a price comparison, using an independent price comparison service, can ensure that you get the whole picture of what’s available in your area.

  to compare suppliers online now and save up to £331 on your energy bills

UK energy regulator Ofgem is predicting that the country’s largest energy suppliers are set to make record profits from their domestic customers over the next year. The regulator has said that suppliers are likely to make £110 profit from each household, trebling their margins amid conditions that have seen the average UK energy bill soar to £1,420 a year..

The energy suppliers have been criticised by many media outlets recently on the back of a number of large profit announcements. With price increases coming into affect earlier this year and cold weather meaning many consumers are using more energy to heat their homes many are suggesting that companies are in line to reap further rewards.  Following the news there have been further calls for Chancellor George Osborne to do more to help households who are struggling to pay escalating domestic bills.

Mark Todd. director of price comparison service energyhelpline.com said, “There are only two ways to cut your energy bills – use less and pay less. To use less, homeowners need to take advantage of all the help they can, with cut-price insulation and other energy efficiency schemes. £100 of a typical annual dual fuel bill is collected by government as 'stealth taxes' , designed to fund these green initiatives. UK households are already paying for these schemes, whether or not they know it, so should be taking full advantage of all schemes on offer. 

To pay less bill-payers need to switch regularly. This doesn't have to be an onerous task. By checking and comparing rates every two to three years using an independent switching service households can save hundreds and maintain low, competitive rates . The average UK home only switches every eight years and that’s one big reason why they end up paying so much.”

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) illustrate just how hard the average consumer is being hit by ever-increasing household bills. The ONS has revealed that household bills are up an average of 25 per cent over the past five years, with average earnings only increasing by 6 per cent during the same period.

With gas and electricity bills on the rise following recent supplier increases, many across the UK will be concerned about being able to pay their bills if further price rises are announced. With suppliers refusing to rule out the need for further hikes in the year, there is a very real possibility of more hikes in the months ahead.

Mark Todd, director of price comparison service energyhelpline.com commented, “There are only two ways to cut your energy bills – use less and pay less. To use less, homeowners need to take advantage of all the help they can, with cut-price insulation and other energy efficiency schemes. £100 of a typical annual dual fuel bill is collected by government as 'stealth taxes' , designed to fund these green initiatives. UK households are already paying for these schemes, whether or not they know it, so should be taking full advantage of all schemes on offer. 

To pay less bill-payers need to switch regularly. This doesn't have to be an onerous task. By checking and comparing rates every two to three years using an independent switching service households can save hundreds and maintain low, competitive rates . The average UK home only switches every eight years and that’s one big reason why they end up paying so much.”

  to beat the price rises now

Parent company RWE reports a 34% increase in UK operating results for 2012

Energy giant npowers’ parent company RWE AG has announced bumper profits, reporting a 34% increase in UK operating results for last year. The rise in profits saw the corporation also increase group EBITDA by 10%.

The firm implemented price rises of 8.8% for gas and 9.1 % for electricity at the end of 2012, like all the major energy suppliers in the UK. They have stated however that the increase in profits was due to the colder than usual winter meaning there was a sharp increase in gas usage.

Reacting to the news, Mark Todd, director of price comparison service energyhelpline.com said, “Prices up and then profits up - it seems to be the same old story in the energy market. Today, consumers are dealing with yet more news of double digit profit from another major energy supplier. This is just months after being dealt the blow of further energy price hikes. With npower recording a 34% increase in operating profits for 2012, households will be left scratching their heads as to whether this winter’s price rise was really necessary.” 

“There are only two ways to cut your energy bills – use less and pay less. To use less, homeowners need to take advantage of all the help they can, with cut-price insulation and other energy efficiency schemes. £100 of a typical annual dual fuel bill is collected by government as 'stealth taxes' , designed to fund these green initiatives. UK households are already paying for these schemes, whether or not they know it, so should be taking full advantage of all schemes on offer. 

To pay less bill-payers need to switch regularly. This doesn't have to be an onerous task. By checking and comparing rates every two to three years using an independent switching service households can save hundreds and maintain low, competitive rates . The average UK home only switches every eight years and that’s one big reason why they end up paying so much.”

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Consumers across the country are being warned to brace themselves for further price rises in the energy market, following yesterdays British Gas profit announcement. Commentators have suggested that due to rising costs for suppliers further hikes this year almost look inevitable.

Ian Peters, managing director of residential energy at British Gas stated, “Price rises to our customers were driven by global costs increasing and Government policies, and had we not increased our prices we would have made a loss.”

Mr. Peters refused to rule out further price rises this year, but said that British Gas would do “everything” to avoid taking that step.

Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus commented, “We should not be surprised if consumers regard these results, and the warning of price rises to come, with a mix of resentment and dread.”

Also reacting to the news, Mark Todd director of price comparison service energyhelpline.com said, “There is a strong chance of more price rises as soon as this summer. If one supplier does it the rest will follow suit and there is no reason to think British Gas won’t.

“I would not be surprised to see further rises of between six and nine per cent, pushing hundreds of thousands more people into fuel poverty.

“Consumers need to realise they are in many ways on their own in this market and that they need to use their market power and shop around if they want to cut their bills.”

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Energy supplier boosted by cold weather in the past year

British Gas has today revealed healthy profits of £606m from residential energy supply, an 11% increase on the previous year. The company has stated that gas consumption had risen by 12% with the colder 2012 meaning that households were consuming more energy than before to keep warm. British Gas, like all the major energy suppliers, announced a price rise at the end of 2011 of 6% for gas and electricity.

British Gas owner Centrica also reported healthy results, with an adjusted operating profit of £2.7bn for 2012, a 14% rise on 2011. Defending the profits against criticism from media outlets, Centrica chief executive Sam Laidlaw commented that the firms’ profits per household had actually decreased in the past year and that the profit margin was needed to properly invest in new sources of energy.

Reacting to the announcement, Mark Todd director of independent price comparison service energyhelpline.com stated, “The UK domestic energy market is plagued by negative perceptions. Today’s announcement from Centrica of its 11% profit increase is certain to add fuel to this fire and cause widespread dismay. 

For customers it’s the worst of times, and this upwards trend in both profits and prices appears unlikely to abate any time soon. Consumers need to realise they are in many ways on their own in this market and that they need to use their market power and shop around if they want to cut their bills.”

 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

  to compare now and beat the energy price rises

In May we ran our first Huge Switch and secured savings of over £1.5 million for 8,750 switchers. Average savings per switch were £176 + £45 cashback on top. We even got support from the Government! Huge Switch is now back as HUGE Switch 2 and we are aiming to get the UK’s cheapest tariffs + £50-£100 cashback this time.

HUGE Switch 2 is a collective switching scheme. The basic idea is lots of people register interest. We tell suppliers how many people have registered. They say "Wow! we’d like to offer that big group a special deal." At the same time we convince people here to sacrifice our commissions too for the big group. The result; everyone gets super special deals with cashback from us and suppliers for 2 weeks only. Registration takes place until March 12th. We just need your current supplier and spend details and your preferences for a future tariff.  From March 12th – 25th you’ll be able to switch to the special deals.

Here's how the Huge Switch works

With the Huge Switch we intend to allow consumers a chance to take part in the collective bargaining process, whilst still enabling them to see what they could save by switching to a new supplier immediately. Customers will be given an opportunity at each step of the process to see what the current best deals on the market are, and can choose to switch immediately to an available tariff at any time.

Commenting on the initiative, energyhelpline.com Director Mark Todd said, “For The HUGE Switch 2 we are hoping to get even bigger cashbacks against the UK’s cheapest tariffs. Last time we managed to get up to £50 - much more than our competitor’s collective switching schemes. This time I am targeting £50-£100 cashback against the UK’s cheapest tariffs.

Our Huge Switch could not come at a better time for consumers. Bitter winter-weather and last year’s price rises have pushed average bills to over £1,400 a year. With The HUGE Switch 2 we are putting people-power to practical use and showing energy companies that if they offer great deals we’ll find them huge numbers of new customers. The more people who get behind it, the bigger our bargaining strength, and the more huge the savings.”

“We’ll make it clear throughout which is their better option, and that’s something we can do because we have the best price comparison calculator on the market, as recognised by Consumer Focus.

“At present, 60% of UK households have never switched supplier and have missed out on hundreds of pounds of savings as a result. We hope that collective bargaining initiatives such as ours will help to trigger people into making a change for the better.

The HUGE Switch 2 will be open to all British* bill-payers for registration from February 19th – March 11th using a simple online form.

On behalf of Huge Switch participants, energyhelpline will negotiate with UK suppliers for three weeks.  

Once the registration period is over, everyone will be able to switch to the special deals from March 12th – March 25th.

Those wishing to register for the Huge Switch should visit www.hugeswitch.com where they will find full details of the scheme.

 *excludes Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Isles.

for terms and conditions click here

  to register for the HUGE Switch

Energy regulator Ofgem is warning consumers that they should prepare for higher energy bills, due to the UK becoming more reliant on energy imports.

Ofgem Chief Executive Alistair Buchanan has suggested that power stations closures could hit capacity by as much as 10% in April alone. The shortfall in supply will need to be met by increasing gas imports which will prove costly.

The longer term solutions to the capacity crisis, such as new nuclear power stations, have yet to be given the final go-ahead by the government causing a worrying situation for the next three to five years. Mr Buchanan stated, "We're going to have to go shopping in world markets at a time when they will be very tight (on supplies) themselves."

"There isn't a single person or people to blame. In my view it was a single event - the financial crisis. Before the financial crisis the government had backed a a visionary approach to energy on wind, water and nuclear... then came the financial tsunami," Mr Buchanan continued.

Consumers are not powerless against the price increases, however, and are urged to regularly review their energy supplier and tariff. With many suppliers offering discounted tariffs and competitive fixed price deals households across the country can still save on their energy even as prices increase.
 

  to compare energy suppliers now and beat the price rises

Small supplier first:utility has announced that its offer of £40 cashback on two of its dual fuel tariffs has been extended until Friday the 22nd of February from its end date of tonight. Consumers looking to get a cheap energy tariff have another full week to grab the deal. This will be the second time that the supplier has extended the deal.

The special cashback offer is available through energyhelpline on first utility's two cheapest tariffs. The tariffs are the iSave v14 discounted variable tariff and the iSave v6 April 2014 fixed tariff.

With price rises beginning to bite and cold weather hitting the UK, why wait to get hit by inflated energy costs? Comparing suppliers could save you up to £331 a year off your bills & you can get cashback on top.

  to compare energy prices & consider switching

Consumers across the country looking to save money on their gas and electricity only have  a short time to act to get a special cashback deal before it expires.

Big Six supplier ScottishPower have been offering an exclusive £15 cashback per fuel switched via energyhelpline on all of their tariffs currently available, this offer expires at midnight February 6th. That means that a customer switching to a dual fuel ScottishPower tariff would receive £30 cashback. This deal makes their Online Fixed Price Energy September 2014 fixed price tariff the cheapest fixed tariff available without cancellation fees or penalties at an average cost of £1,165 a year for typical usage (a £235 saving over the typical UK bill of £1,400 p.a. source: Energyhelpline).

Similarly, small supplier first:utility have a cashback offer on two of their dual fuel tariffs, iSave v14 and iSave Fixed v6 April 2014, of £40. This cashback offer runs out on the 8th of February.

With supplier price rises beginning to bite in recent weeks, and the cold weather arriving now is the time to act to take control of your energy costs. Why not compare suppliers now to see if you could benefit from switching supplier and getting cashback in the process?

  to compare prices & save on your energy bills

In a move that will offer some relief to UK consumers looking to save money on their gas and electricity, two energy suppliers are offering cashback offers to customers signing up to their tariffs. The two deals are available for comparison now and both only run for a limited time.

Big Six supplier ScottishPower are offering an exclusive £15 cashback per fuel switched on all of their tariffs currently available, this offer is good until February 6th. That means that a customer switching to a dual fuel ScottishPower tariff would receive £30 cashback. This deal makes their Online Fixed Price Energy September 2014 fixed price tariff the cheapest fixed tariff available without cancellation fees or penalties at an average cost of £1,165 a year for typical usage (a £235 saving over the typical UK bill of £1,400 p.a. source: Energyhelpline).

In a similar development, small supplier first:utility have announced a cashback offer on two of their dual fuel tariffs, iSave v14 and iSave Fixed v6 April 2014, of £40. This cashback offer also runs for a limited time only, ending on the 8th of February.

To find out if you could save money and receive cashback on your gas and electricity compare energy suppliers today!

  to compare suppliers and beat the price rises

Hard-pressed consumers across the UK will be outraged to discover that, according to a report conducted by Ofgem, energy suppliers have trebled profit margins to £120 per customer in only three months.

Prior to recent price rises by all of the Big Six suppliers, Ofgem had predicted that energy firms would make a “net margin” of £40 per customer. However, with price rises of up to 11% implemented in the past few months the figure has been revised upward. Consumer groups and politicians have expressed dismay that profit margins have risen so steeply at a time when more households are in danger of entering fuel poverty due to steadily rising bills.

Director of price comparison site Energyhelpline.com, Mark Todd, commented, “What we are seeing here is the impact of the energy price rises that occurred in the autumn. Bills went up by around £100 and now company profits are up by £80 per year per customer. Energy prices and profits just keep rising and rising. In fact bills have more than doubled over the last 10 years. Many consumers calling our switching line tell us that, in the current market. the companies are the big winners and they feel like the big losers. ”

“But consumers can be winners too. If you compare and switch to your cheapest deal companies are likely to make only a few pounds profit from you over the next 3 years rather than £360. As there are good margins in the market, companies desperately want to attract new customers so that means there are great offers to be had.”

  to compare now and beat the energy price rises

UK households spend nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of their disposable income on essential utilities such as food, council tax and energy, a report by Santander has revealed. For the poorest across the country, this figure rises sharply to 56 per cent of their disposable income, which bleakly demonstrates how hard the average UK consumer is being hit by rising household costs.

With recent price rises, inflation and the winter weather beginning to bite, the situation is unlikely to improve in the short-term for many families across the country. Commenting on the report, Hetal Parmar, Head of Banking at Santander, said, “Energy price rises and the cost of living generally are putting extra strain on household finances, causing people to tighten their belts but also to become more aware of their finances.”

"There are ways to save money, for example, by finding the best deals through comparison sites or making use of discounts offered by companies for paying bills by Direct Debit.”

It is estimated that as much as 45 per cent of the households in the UK have never switched energy provider, Mark Todd, Director of comparison service energyhelpline says, “The savings people can make simply by switching energy suppliers are significant. Whilst consumers may feel powerless, or confused,  when it comes to their energy bills, there are simple ways to find out how they can stand up against inflated pricing. Switching is the first place to start to help the UK public save much needed money this January.”

 

  to beat the energy price rises

After 2012 was one of the wettest years on record we all would have hoped for a respite from poor weather as 2013 began. However, most of the country is currently lying under a blanket of snow and experiencing the usual travel chaos that follows. Add the double-whammy of energy price rises coming into effect and we are looking at a pretty grim start to the New Year.

E.ON were the last of the Big Six energy suppliers to increase prices, hiking their rates by 8.7% from today. They followed all the other members of the Big Six: British Gas, EDF, npower, ScottishPower and SSE in raising their charges by up to 11 per cent. With the cold weather beginning to bite the hard-pressed UK consumer will be feeling hard-done by at facing the prospects of higher rates at a time when they are using more energy to stay warm.

During this latest cold snap, if temperatures average 1C across the UK this winter (about 4C below normal temperatures) then a typical gas and electricity bill will be £607 for the 3 months December-February , the highest in UK history. In these circumstances, the total energy bill for all UK households for the winter would be £15.7bn.

During the winter of 2007/08 typical bills were £314. A normal winter this year would see bills at £502, an increase of 60%. If the cold weather really bites the increase to £607 would represent a rise of 93% over 5 years.

Mark Todd, director of independent energy price comparison site Energyhelpline commented: “With severe weather warnings issued for most of the country, the icy ‘Blast from the Baltic’ will see consumers having to dig even deeper into their pockets to pay to keep warm. Against the backdrop of the worst recession for a century and the Christmas credit card bills hitting doorsteps at the end of the month, UK households  face record-breaking energy bills this winter. There is a real possibility that vulnerable members of the public, including those who suffer fuel poverty, will face a struggle to keep warm in their own homes.”

Following the price rises, a breakdown of the Big Six standard tariffs is shown in the table below:

Mark Todd continued, “The savings people can make simply by switching energy suppliers are significant. Whilst consumers may feel powerless, or confused,  when it comes to their energy bills, there are simple ways to find out how they can stand up against inflated pricing. Switching is the first place to start to help the UK public save much needed money this January.”

  to beat the price rises and stay warm this winter

Consumers looking to save money on their gas and electricity bill are being urged to conduct a comparison of energy suppliers after a new cheapest tariff was launched today. The tariff now sits at the top of our cheapest tariffs table with an average dual-fuel cost of £1,146 a year which is a saving of £254 compared to the national average of £1,400 (Source: Energyhelpline).

The tariff has been launched by one of the Big Six suppliers, and is welcome news following the withdrawal of a number of cheap deals and price rises in recent months. Households across the country are urged to compare their energy supplier now to ensure that they aren’t paying too much for their gas and electricity as the temperature starts to drop this winter.

Mark Todd, director of price comparison website Energyhelpline.com commented, “Simply by switching energy suppliers, this budget-busting average annual bill of £1400 can be slashed by up to £250. We are urging people to take control of their energybills in 2012, and not to leave potential savings out in the cold this January.  

With further price hikes on the horizon this year, there is everything to gain by checking tariffs and switching if savings can be made."

  to compare suppliers and beat the price rises

It’s cold outside! With the first winter snow falling across the country it is important to remember that there are ways to conserve energy and remain warm and cosy during cold spells. Here are some simple tricks you may employ to combat the cold weather.

It is an obvious temptation when the temperature drops to simply increase the thermostat to combat the chills indoors. However, with the cost of energy still a major drain on household finances, this course of action can add unnecessary further strain on bank balances.

Indeed, wrapping up warm and turning down the thermostat 1®C has been shown to save as much as 10 per cent on the cost of your heating bills for the year. Dressing in layers and ensuring that your thermostat in your main living room is set to a comfortable level of between 18®-21®C can therefore help economise your energy usage, even during cold snaps.

Additionally, draught-proofing your home can result in significant savings during the winter months. If it seems like your home never heats up, then it is a good idea to check around all windows and doors for draughts. Draught excluders should be placed around windows and doors to keep the draught out and the home warm and cosy. Installing double-glazing can also be a cost effective way to prevent draughts in the home. As draught-free homes are comfortable at lower temperatures, these tips can make it possible to keep your thermostat lower during the cold weather.

Along a similar vein is ensuring that your home is properly insulated. Cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can save hundreds of pounds a year through reducing heat loss. According to Directgov it is good practice to ensure that all lofts ideally have between 10-11 inches of insulation. Any home with 4 inches or less insulation should be topped-up.

A final way to remain energy efficient during cold weather is ensuring that your boiler is up to scratch. Boilers will lose efficiency over time, so it is therefore wise to have regular boiler checks and to replace any older boiler that is underperforming.  

Following these simple strategies should enable even the most temperature-sensitive individual remain warm and within budget over the coming weeks. 

 

  to compare suppliers and beat the price rises

A shocking 23% of families currently have to choose between buying food and heating their homes this winter, according to a recent survey.  The survey paints a bleak picture of how badly consumers across the country are being affected by rising domestic energy costs.

The survey, organised by Energy Bill Revolution, polled 1,000 members of the family website Netmums to see how ordinary families are faring following the latest round of energy price increases. Their findings show that as much as 8 out of 10 families are already rationing their heat in their homes. Of those already rationing their energy, 9 out of 10 wear extra clothes rather than turn up the thermostat. Many are also opting to turn off the heating when their children are out or wrapping up in duvets to keep warm during the day.

With prices rising an average of 8% this winter, and with reports that 1 in 4 households across the UK currently fall into the category of fuel poverty, it is looking to be a difficult few months ahead particularly if the cold weather begins to bite.

Mark Todd, director of price comparison site energyhelpline.com commented, “The vulnerable, including low-income families and the elderly are facing a terrible choice, to eat or heat?  With an average of 26,700 excess winter deaths each year, the most vulnerable are being served a lethal cocktail this winter, with no sign of respite in the form of price cuts or government action any time soon.

Everyone needs to plan now to keep warm. This includes making sure you are getting the best deal possible on energy, and if necessary switching supplier as soon as possible to avoid being hit by price rises.”

Consumers who haven’t switched to their best possible deal should do so immediately. With price rises beginning to take hold there is no time to lose for those wishing to cut their costs this winter.

 

  to compare suppliers and beat the price rises

Consumers looking to save money on gas and electricity have been flocking to switch providers, according to statistics from price comparions site Energyhelpline.com. The site has reported switching rates doubling after the New Year, as people start to take their finances into account for the New Year.

A typical day sees around 7,000 homes switching their supplier or tariff across the country. Energyhelpline.com is currently estimating that this has jumped by at least double, and possibly trebled since the beginning of the New Year.

With recently announced price rises beginning to take hold, many consumers appear to be taking control of their energy costs in order to cut their bills. Mark Todd, director of Energyhelpline.com says, "People return to normality after the holiday period and at last say 'I am going to get my energy bills down this year' rather than simply put up with them rising."

"Savings of up to £331 a year are possible for a typical home, and switching to your cheapest deal through a reputable and independent comparison service is still the quickest and easiest way to cut energy bills."

  to compare suppliers and beat the price rises