Fixed Energy Plans Ending Mean Customers Need to Take Action
Published: 20 February 2010
By Diane Ray 2 Comments
Updated: 22 February 2010
Many customers will be hit by higher energy bills as their fixed energy plans come to an end over the next few weeks. It’s vital that action is taken to get the best energy deal going forward.
There are a number of fixed energy plans which expire in March, including from British Gas, EDF Energy, Scottish Power and E.ON. Some of these plans were taken out as far back as 2006 so many customers could be faced with a shock increase in their energy bills.
If your fixed energy plan is coming to an end as Gareth Kloet, head of utilities at Confused.com says “Customers need to shop around to find the most appropriate tariff currently available. Apathy does not pay when it comes to getting the best deal on energy, with suppliers rewarding customers who go online and actively seek out the savings.
The most suitable tariff will depend on your unique circumstances and the type of tariff you are looking for but as a general rule, opting to take both gas and electric from a single provider, opting for an online tariff and paying by direct debit will yield the maximum savings which are often not available without going online or using a Consumer focus accredited energy price comparison website such as Confused.com.”
According to uSwitch, another site offering an energy comparison service, 4 of the 6 energy plans ending allow customers to pay by cash or cheque with the average bill being £1,093 per year. Moving onto such a plan today the average cost would increase to £1,232 or 13% more.
4.6 million UK households are currently on fixed or capped energy plans. As there are the signs of an energy price war, with some of the main suppliers cutting their prices, including British Gas with their Websaver 6 plan, immediately fixing prices again might not be the best option.
Equally though moving to an expensive standard plan may not provide the best energy deal. As Thomas Lyon, energy expert at uSwitch.com says “With energy prices so high consumers face an important decision and we would urge them to take the time to shop around.”
Every year about this time – the media and of course the press – make head lines about the
consumer being ripped off by the giant energy firms – who cry wolfe all the year – and enter
hugh profits at the end of their finnacial year – . Gordon Brown,Energy Minister and the rest of the government said they would “Do everything in their power to reduced fuel costs and make the power
companies pass on the lower prices straight away. NOTHING but NOTHING has been actioned.
This action was promised 12 months ago – the Conservatives & Liberals have failed to get any
thing changed – in the mean time the press go back to sleep!!
No wonder the publlc have lost confidence – why bother with them anyway.!!!
Peoples only way out is to change supply and search for better deals but they will still pay through
the nose who every they choose.