07 February 2008
In response to E.ON’s price rise announced today - 15% for gas and 9.7% for electricity - Mike Stevenson, Switch with Which? , urges people to review their energy payments and not to hesitate to switch to a better tariff if they could get a better deal elsewhere:
“All the suppliers have increased their standard tariffs more than their online tariffs. Switching to a paperless online tariff, paying by monthly Direct Debit and securing a duel fuel deal could greatly reduce your annual energy bill and minimise the impact on your pocket of all these price hikes.
“With Scottish and Southern holding tariff changes until March 31st, now is the optimum time to switch.”
Switching – the options
Option 1 - Never switched before and are on an uncompetitive standard plan?
Switch now - you could save more than £300* by switching energy suppliers.
Option 2 - Switched in the last 12-18 months?
Compare your tariff against the current online, duel fuel tariffs paying by monthly Direct Debit for the most competitive option.
Option 3 - Switched recently and already on a good deal?
With each supplier’s price increase is the offer of a new fixed tariff, so consider switching to a capped tariff for certainty amongst rising prices.
Visit www.switchwithwhich.co.uk to see if there’s a better deal.
-Ends-
www.switchwithwhich.co.uk is the home energy switching service from consumer watchdog Which? With 50 years’ experience providing expert and independent advice to consumers. Which? launched the service in 2005 to provide consumers with a transparent and impartial view of all gas and electricity tariff options.
Switch with Which? is the only not-for-profit, energywatch approved switching site, ensuring pricing, systems and procedures have been checked and validated by another independent organisation. As well as its online switching service, Switch with Which? offers a freephone helpline on 0800 533 011, open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, to help bring choice and control to the consumer.
* You could save £336 per annum just by switching from npower's standard tariff to British Gas's online tariff. This is based on a dual fuel medium user (3300 kwH - elec; 20,500 kWh- gas) in the London region, switching from a Standard npower tariff (paying by cash or cheque each quarter) to British Gas' Online Energy Saver 4 tariff (paying my monthly Direct Debit).
