According to the government the best approach to saving money on your energy bills is to regularly compare prices and switch tariffs. At present the cheapest deals can be had by choosing an online tariff and paying by direct debit. At Keep Shropshire Warm we recommend you use one of the comparison sites below and check at least every six months.
Price Comparison Websites
There are many different price comparison websites available now. These sites compare the prices you are paying for your energy with other suppliers based on the information you give and may bring up a cheaper supplier for you, helping you to save money. the more detailed the information that you feed in the better, more accurate the results of the comparison.
The offers change periodically so it can be advantageous to switch tariff / supplier periodically. The Consumer Focus Energy Price Comparison Tool helps compare gas and electricity prices in your area for all energy suppliers. See the webpage http://energyapps.consumerfocus.org.uk/price/ Other price comparison sites are available such as http://www.uswitch.com/ , http://www.simplyswitch.com/ and http://www.energyhelpline.com/ . The energyhelpline site even allows you to compare prepayment tariffs and as long as you are not more than £200 in arrears you should be able to switch suppliers and take any debt with you.
Look out for the Consumer Focus Consumer Code logo which is displayed on each accredited comparison site.
Warm Homes Discount
Energy companies are required by governemnt to provide discounts for their most vulnerable customers. The Warm Homes Discount is worth £120 and is paid in the form of a reduction directly off the customers bill or in the case of prepayment meters, via a voucher or added directly on to a prepayment card when it is recharged. Those in receipt of the Gauranteed Credit component of the Pension Credit will receive the benefit automatically and need take no further action.
Those in the 'Broader Group' which includes anyone in receipt of the Savings Credit component of the pension credit as well as those on a means tested benefit (Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance [ESA]) that includes either a disability premium or those that have parental responsibility for a child under 5 need to apply to their energy supplier before the end of January 2012.
Payments to the Broader Group are on a first come, first served basis so if you think you may be eligible speak to your energy supplier as soon as possible. For more information ring our helpline number.
Social tariffs
Since the advent of the Warm Homes Discount energy providers are no longer required to offer social tariffs to help their most vulnerable customers manage the high costs of gas and electricity. However two companies are still running these tariffs and say that at present, they have no plans to stop them. The two remaining tariffs are E.ON’s Warm Assist and EDF’s Energy Assist. You may qualify for a social tariff if you are over 80 or if you are over 60, on means tested benefits or are on a low income (for example an annual gross household income below £15,540 AND someone in the household is: 60 or over, disabled, chronically sick, or have a child under 16).
The offer varies between the companies so you should contact your supplier directly using the contact phone number provided on your most recent energy bill.
Priority Services Register
Electricity and gas customers with special needs can register with their supplier on a Priority Services Register to benefit from special services. For example, you should look to register if you, or someone in your household:
- relies on special home medical equipment run by electricity, such as a home dialysis machine or an artificial ventilator
- is chronically sick
- is disabled
- is elderly; or
- is a special case that you think should be considered.
This service again has different names varying between the suppliers. For example, E.ON, EDF Energy (London Energy, SWEB Energy & Seeboard Energy) and Scottish & Southern Energy (Southern Electric, SWALEC and Scottish Hydro) use the term Priority Services Register whereas Scottish Power and SP Manweb offer the CareFree Scheme and British Gas the Home Energy Care Register.
You can always contact Keep Shropshire Warm if you need further help on 01743 277123.
Economy 7 & 10
Economy 10 is a type of electricity tariff that charges discounted prices for the electricity you use during 10 set off-peak hours. This structure gives you three off-peak hours in the afternoon, two in the evening and five hours overnight. The designated hours and prices will vary between suppliers. There is also Economy 7 which relates to 7 hours of discounted price electricity. Typically these are only relevant if using night storage heaters.
