Customers advised to switch energy companies - 01/04/2009

Customers should compare energy prices from different companies and make a switch to potentially save several hundred pounds, reports Saga.

A variety of price comparison websites are available to help homeowners compare the range of deals on the market and customers who have never before switched suppliers could access savings of up to 20 per cent.

Domestic energy efficiency is another way in which homeowners can pursue cheaper bills, with insulation in cavity walls and lofts potentially combining with efficient boiler systems to produce average annual savings of £200.

Similarly, ensuring the heat is turned down as much as possible and perhaps turned off during the night can knock ten per cent off the cost of bills each year.

Many lower-income families are eligible for financial assistance from their local authority to have these measures installed.

Payment methods can also have an impact on final billing, with monthly direct debit being the cheapest way to pay for energy use.

The UK's major energy suppliers received intense criticism for failing to reduce their prices during the recent freezing winter months.

Mark Todd of energyhelpline said: "Now is the best time to switch your energy supplier to a better deal. All major UK suppliers have had their price cuts, making the market a level playing field."

If you want to find out more about switching energy suppliers and how you could save up to £378 in minutes, click here.