Look at Switching Energy Suppliers

Its autumn. The nights are drawing in and the temperature is dropping. It’s time to think about how you can save money and still keep warm this winter. Well here is a simple thing that you can do that causes no mess or disturbance. In fact, just a quick trip on the internet is all that’s required.

That’s because my tip is to SWITCH YOUR ENERGY SUPPLIER.

You see, if you haven’t already done so, this is almost certain to save you money.

That’s because the energy companies are under no obligation to supply you with their cheapest deal. In fact, they are quite happy for you to be loyal customers and to keep you on one of their highest rates.

According to official statistics, the average dual fuel (electricity and gas) tariff costs around £1142 per year, while the cheapest is only around £850 per year – yes, £300 less.

Despite this, only one third of households in the UK have switched supplier.

Not only that, but some of us are actually on the wrong energy supply deal altogether.

Recently, we were approached by a local householder about the size of their bills. We found out that they were on the so called “Economy 7” tariff. This tariff is designed for households that use electricity only. It supplies electricity for 7 hours every night at a discounted rate – good for heating the water tank and storage heaters. But here’s the catch. This rate actually charges more than the standard tariff for the other 17 hours. But our client had ditched his storage heaters in favour of a different heating system two years ago, and never switched tariff. Just by moving to the standard variable tariff from the same supplier, they saved over £250 a year.

You can even switch to a tariff that’s good for the environment, supplying only carbon free electricity for example.

Switching is easy. Citizens Advice have a great website – www.goenergyshopping.co.uk – that gives lots of guidance on how to understand your energy bill and how to compare suppliers and tariffs.

There are other cost comparison websites which will guide you through the process – you’ve seen the adverts (opera singers, little furry animals) – at no cost to you. All you need to do is provide meter readings and set up a new direct debit.

So fire up your energy efficient laptop and shop around. And let the HEAT Project know how you got on at https://www.facebook.com/HEATProjectRattrayandTheGlens/#

The HEAT Project is an Ericht Trust initiative, with support from the Mount Blair Development Trust.