Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service, said even though vast numbers of consumers were angry at their treatment by suppliers, too few of them took their business elsewhere.
According to new figures, the Energy Ombudsman received at least 3,500 complaints each month in 2014 from consumers with the main gripes involving bills, disputed charges and inaccurate meter readings.
“Complaints against consumers are higher than ever, yet the vast majority of consumers still don’t switch suppliers,” Mr Morgan said.
“It’s great to see consumers lodging complaints with the Ombudsman, but they also need to hit suppliers where it hurts and take their business elsewhere.
“It really is really the only way the big suppliers will ever improve their service.”
The new figures show that consumer complaints against suppliers tripled in the past year, with 47,731 lodged in the 11 months to November compared to 16,155 for the same period in 2013.
In the month of November, almost 4,400 complaints were about bills, including 737 grievances about inaccuracies. Other billing complaints involved no bill being received and disputed charges. Inaccurate meter readings also accounted for a large proportion of complaints.
While the number of complaints relating to switching suppliers fell in November, the top grievance related to switching requests not being acted on.
But Mr Morgan said that using a reputable and independent switching service like the Energy Advice Line saved consumers the hassle of having to deal with supplier inaction themselves.
“Switching has become easier and these figures reflect that, “ he said.
“In terms of suppliers not acting quickly enough, or failing to action the switch request, we handle this whole process so consumers don’t have to deal with these problems.
“I know many consumers are still nervous about changing supplier, but using a service like ours makes I very easy, and the financial savings can be significant.”
The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic energy customers. It is also an advocate for energy market reform and has campaigned for a better deal for energy users, including calling for a ban on cold calling and changes to regulations to make it easier for all consumers to switch suppliers.
The service is completely independent and free. Consumers can quickly and simply search the market for the best available energy deals from an extensive panel of small and large energy suppliers. The service also offers a free advice service for business energy customers throughout the to of their energy contracts.
For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk