What is collective switching?

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed an Ofgem ruling that requires energy suppliers to publicise "collective switch" tariffs on their Cheapest Tariff Message (CTM).

Suppliers are already obliged to include information on bills about the cheapest tariffs available and how much a customer might save by switching to the deal.

But under a new ruling, suppliers must also include details of the tariffs available through collective switches - those organised by a group of people who use their buying power to get a better deal.

Normally a customer would have to register with the collective before switching, but under the new ruling they will be able to switch after the collective rate has already been fixed.

"When carried out in a responsible and trustworthy manner, we value collective switches as an innovative way of engaging consumers and facilitating the switching process," Ofgem says. "Collective switches provide consumers, including the vulnerable, with another means of accessing better energy deals, which in turn enables them to save money."

But Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said it was important for consumers to examine collective switch tariffs very carefully as often they were not as cheap as they appeared at first glance.

"There's no reason why more customers should not benefit from collective switch tariffs, an innovative way of securing good deals and encouraging consumers to switch," said Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, the UK's leading price comparison, switching and advice service.

"But it's important to look at the details of the tariffs and ascertain wehther it is genuinely cheaper than other deals available elsewhere. The collective may not have had access to the best deals, for whatever reason, so consumers need to be careful."

Mr Morgan said there was no better way to find the best deal than shopping around and checking the market.

"You should do this yourself or use the services of a reliable and reputable service like ours. Our quotes are quick, simple and you can compare this with what you are already paying, or the collective switch tariff publicised on the CTM.

"The important thing is to stay in control of your energy supplies, switch regularly and make informed decisions. That's the best recipe for saving money on your energy bills."

The Energy Advice Line is a concumer champaign and an indepdendent price comparison and switching service for householders and small and medium-sized businesses. The service enables consumers to quickly and simply compare electricity and gas prices, and to switch to the best available deal on the market.

The service also offers free advice and a contract management service, including alerts to remind business consumers when their fixed-term energy contracts are about to end.

For further information, visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Energy should be simple - let's make it so

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed calls by an industry insider for the Big Six suppliers to introduce simple changes that would see customers paying less for their energy, and being treated more fairly.

Julian Morgan, managing directer of the price comparison, switching, and advice service for energy users, said regulators should heed the comments by First Utility, a leading independent supplier, and enforce the changes.

"First Utility has echoed what we have been saying for some time - that energy companies need to make simple changes, like actually talking to their customers, in order to restore trust and deliver them a better deal," Mr Morgan said.

"We hope that Ofgem takes on board what this supplier is saying and apply the recommendations across the market - and crack down on those who don't fall into line."

Ed Kamm, chief customer officer at First Utility, has claimed that the Big Six suppliers avoid communicating with their customers because they know customers are "overpaying".

Mr Kamm made the claims as he identified four simple changes suppliers should be forced to make to ensure households and businesses pay less for their energy and are treated more fairly. He said regulators should:

• force suppliers to talk to their customers: customers who were prompted to supply meter readings or switch to a new tariff when their deals epired, were likely to pay less for their energy
• call things what they are: 70% of major energy supplier customers are on a standard tariff, which generally costs hundreds of pounds more than the cheapest deal. Mr Kamm said there was nothing standard about this tariff and that it should be called 'out of contract tariff'
• make switching easier: introduce 24-hour switching and fine suppliers who fail to get it right
• make bills and tariffs simple: not succumb to pressure from suppliers to reverse recent changes that slashed the number of tariffs each supplier can offer to just four

Mr Morgan said all of the recommendations, especially making switching easier, could transform the relationship between customers and suppliers that had suffered so badly in recent years.

"If suppliers were customer-focused rather than profit-focused, all parts of the energy market would benefit, including suppliers themselves," Mr Morgan said.

"Customers should be told when cheaper deals are available, their tariffs should be simple to understand and it should be simple to change supplier if there are cheaper deals elsewhere.

"But this is not the way it works in practice. Suppliers have built their business models on discouraging customers from engaging with them or taking a pro-active approach to their energy supplies.

"It's got to change and we hope Ofgem takes heed of what this industry insider has to say."

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.

This 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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

Does better service mean better prices?

Business energy users and households should consider customer service as well as price when choosing a supplier, according to the Energy Advice Line.

The call follows a newspaper survey that showed a huge disparity between suppliers when it came to total spending on customer service.

“Instances of very poor customer service and bungling by energy suppliers still abound and this comparison of spending sheds interesting light on possible reasons why,” Mr Morgan said.

“The difference between the highest and lowest spenders on customer service is significant, so it seems sensible to consider factors in addition to price when making a decision on which supplier to go with.”

The Telegraph newspaper defined customer service to including complaints handling as well as simple requests such as a change of address, and any technology that customers can use to communicate with their supplier.

Of those suppliers who responded to the request for information about spending on customer services, Scottish Power rated the highest at £42 per head per year. However, this included a one-off investment to improve out-of-date IT systems and does not reflect ongoing investment in customer services. Ofgem banned the firm from recruiting new customers last month until it had fixed its customer services problems.

First Utility was ranked second highest spender at £26 per customer each year, followed by British Gas (£16), E.On (£14) and npower (at least £6.67). EDF and SSE refused to disclose their customer services spending.

“We help countless customers each year who contact us in desperation and frustration at the terrible standards of customer service offered by their supplier,” Mr Morgan said.

“Resolving a problem with a bill, or even changing something as simple as an address, can prove to be a time-consuming and infuriating exercise. If you are a business this can be an expensive waste of time.

“We would urge all customers not to make price the only factor when choosing supplier, although value-for-money is obviously crucial.

“Our expert advisers, who know the energy industry well, can help you make the right informed choice.”

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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

Small firms need to be protected

The Energy Advice Line has joined calls for small businesses to be given the same consumer protections as domestic energy users.

The call comes as it emerged that business energy users would not receive the much-trumpeted announcement of a self-imposed price freeze by Big Six supplier SSE.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for domestic and business energy customers, said the plight of business energy users had been ignored for too long.

He backed calls by the Federation for Small Businesses (FSB) for a better deal for small and micro businesses. The FSB said they were disadvantaged compared to domestic energy users and large companies when taking out energy contracts.

"We support calls by the FSB for micro businesses to be given the same consumer rights as domestic consumers when it comes to energy," Mr Morgan said.

Government ensure failing SMEs are protected

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed a government initiative to protect failing but viable small and medium-sized firms from having their energy supplies disconnected.

Under the plans, struggling SMEs will have their gas, electricity, water and essential IT services safeguarded while administrators put together a financial rescue package.

Suppliers will have their payments guaranteed before other creditors so that they can be certain their bills will be prioritized. Only if bills remain unpaid 28 days after the rescue package has been implemented will they be allowed to disconnect services.

Keep energy simple

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed calls by an industry insider for the Big Six suppliers to introduce simple changes that would see customers paying less for their energy, and being treated more fairly.

Julian Morgan, managing directer of the price comparison, switching, and advice service for energy users, said regulators should heed the comments by First Utility, a leading independent supplier, and enforce the changes.

"First Utility has echoed what we have been saying for some time - that energy companies need to make simple changes, like actually talking to their customers, in order to restore trust and deliver them a better deal," Mr Morgan said.

Are business energy bills a worry?

More small and medium-sized firms should seek help with reducing their energy bills says The Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said a new survey by Vickers Energy Group suggested firms were not taking control of their gas and electricity supplies.

"It's crucial for SMEs not to put their energy supplies in the too hard basket and just coast along hoping for the best," Mr Morgan said.

Discounts needed for those in fuel poverty

The government should consider introducing energy discounts for the least well off following fresh evidence that the UK's poorest households had been hardest by spiraling energy prices.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said the least well off urgently needed extra help to cope with their energy bills.

"The economic downturn has hurt all socio-economic groups, but for the poorest in the community it's been an absolute disaster," Mr Morgan said.

"The evidence is clear that the rising cost of energy has impacted low-income households particularly hard, with fuel bills rising more sharply than the cost of necessities like food and other housing costs.

Your energy bills could rise once more

A number of fixed tariff deals will be coming to an end on October 31.

Anyone currently on these tariffs, including both domestic and business users, could see their electricity and gas bills rising by over £100 from next month.

Deals such as these expire all the time, which is why it is always important to keep an eye on your bills and be aware of when your contract is about to come to an end. Allowing your contract to rollover means you stand being charged at the out of contract prices - these prices are a lot higher than the rates used to bring in new customers, and many families and companies find themselves stung by a bill much higher than it should be.

The best way to combat this is to make sure you switch your deal to something more competitive. Brand loyalty doesn't always pay so don't be afraid to swap your supply to someone new.

The tariffs ending this month include EDF energy's Blue+ Fixed PrePay, Scottish Power's Online Fixed Price, and a selection of First:Utility's iSave Fixed tariffs. Not sure if these changes apply to you? Take a look at your last bill and find out your current contract details.

Unsure of how you can start saving? Is the market too unclear for you to make the best choice? Give the energyadviceline a ring and find out just how easy it is to start saving on your energy tariff. Consumers who switch stand to save hundreds of pounds every year.

More incentives needed for users to switch

The Energy Advice Line has welcomed new figures showing a 30% increase in the number of consumers changing suppliers in the first half of this year.

But Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said more needed to be done to incentivize consumers languishing on standard variable tariffs.

"We certainly welcome the fact that more and more consumers are heeding the message that they need to switch supplier to save money on their energy bills," Mr Morgan said.

"But there are still worrying numbers of householders paying over the odds because they're on standard tariffs - the most expensive way to pay for your energy.

"This significant core group of consumers needs to be targeted by the government and the energy regulator, and ways found to encourage them to change their habits so they don't continue to waste money by paying more for their energy than they need to."

Ofgem recently published new figures showing that more than 3.8 million UK households switch supplier in the first half of 2016 - around 1 million more than in the same period last year. Of these, around 1.6 million domestic customers switched gas suppliers and 2.2 million domestic customers switched electricity suppliers.

The data also shows that consumers have more choice than ever, with over 40 suppliers now competing for their business.

However, Ofgem's data also revealed that 66% of domestic customers were still on expensive variable tariffs, despite repeated warnings that switching supplier and moving to a cheaper, often fixed-term deal, could yield savings of £300 or more.

"Ofgem claims that introducing reforms recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this year to better protect those on pre-payment meters and increase competition for all other customers, would encourage more people to switch," Mr Morgan said.

"However, their own figures show that much more needs to be done. There are some great deals out there, and more suppliers than ever to choose from, yet many people are either unaware of this and how much money they can save, or believe it's too difficult.

"Ofgem needs to drive home the message that, with winter coming, consumers need to be active when it comes to their energy suppliers and seek out savings."

To encourage more switching, Ofgem plans to trial "more effective prompts" on customer's bills to encourage them to compare different tariffs. But the regulator has ruled out capping standard variable tariffs.

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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

When did you last check your meter?

The UK's leading price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users has urged business and domestic consumers to check their bills and meters after thousands of people were incorrectly charged by suppliers.

Energy regulator Ofgem has revealed that customers whose metric gas meters, measured in cubic meters, were read as imperials (in cubic feet) and had been charged too much. Ofgem has asked suppliers to investigate how many customers have been affected.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line, said the revelations proved how important it was for customers to always supply meter readings, to check the readings against bills and to query any anomalies.

"It could well be that the thousands of customers believed to have been affected by this error could have done nothing to prevent it," Mr Morgan said.

"But it proves that suppliers do indeed make mistakes and that customers need to be pro-active when it comes to energy.

"Faulty meters, incorrect readings and human error - unfortunately all these things do happen and can lead to significant overcharging. At the end of the day, consumers need to be vigilant."

The meter reading errors were identified by energy giant E.on earlier this year, prompting a wider prove into how many people have been over or undercharged. Ofgem has said it believes that 'a very small number' of gas customers had been affected - around 6,300 people - but that suppliers had been asked to investigate and report back.

The regulator said that customers did not need to do anything because suppliers would contact those affected. But Mr Morgan urged customers to check with suppliers themselves just to be sure.

"Given the track record of suppliers when it comes to being upfront about mistakes, we recommend that customers with a gas meter who feel they might have been overcharged to contact their suppliers and ask for their bills to be checked.

"It could well be that some affected customers have slipped through the net.

"Even with the national rollout of smart meters, which are designed to deliver real time meter readings from homes and businesses, consumers need to take care.

"Mistakes happen and technology can be faulty."

E.on has apologised and confirmed that around 350 residential and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be refunded and compensated after the problem was discovered.

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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Is the UK at risk of energy shortages?

As cooler weather begins to roll in the talk of energy shortages and blackouts has returned. However, this year it is reported that our smart energy revolution can help to combat the issue, according to the UK chief of the National Grid.

Nicola Shaw has commented that an 'internet of energy' will help our white goods balance the demand on our energy supply. Whereas counter arguments have formed saying that what the UK really needs is more power generated from gas as a back up this winter.

Shaw believes that supply can be managed simply by UK households changing their demand patterns. She agrees that gas power could help, but doesn't not agree that it's the way forward. Statistics show that between 30% and 50% of energy fluctuations could be smoothed out by both households and businesses adjusting their demand during peak times.

Many energy suppliers currently offer cheaper prices outside of peak times, such as after midnight and before 8am. This doesn't suit most businesses, but households can adapt where possible to help make small savings. A firm in Cornwall has created an incentive for it's customers to use more power when the sun is out thanks to the extra solar power.

Speaking to BBC News, Shaw stated "we are at a moment of real change in the energy industry", meaning that the large energy organisations are now mostly using solar power in order to generate their supply.

People are already changing their energy usage in order to place less pressure on the system, and it's this smart usage of energy that will help us to avoid any unnessecary power cuts and blackouts this winter.

Embracing 'smart energy' and being wise about your spend will help the industry to progress into making new discoveries about how the country can be powered. If you're ever unsure about the figures on your bill then simply pay a visit to energyadviceline.org.uk - businesses and homeowners can receive free energy advice.

EAL dismisses CMA call for switch list

The latest report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) showing more than 70% of energy consumers had never switched tariffs, was of grave concern, according to the Energy Advice Line.

A survey of 7,000 domestic energy customers carried out by the CMA as part of its probe into the energy market, also found that more than one-third of respondents had never considered switching supplier.

This was despite the fact that customers of the Big Six energy companies could have saved hundreds of pounds by switching to a rival firm.

"These findings are extremely alarming," said Julian Morgan, managing director of the Energy Advice Line.

"Yet another investigation has proved that switching suppliers has significant financial benefits, yet millions of customers are still failing to do it.

"Urgent action is now needed to persuade customers - in the strongest possible terms - to shop around for their energy, just as they do for all their other significant household purchases.

"Failing to do this is costing them considerable sums of money that most people simply can't afford to lose."

The CMA report, the culmination of a two-year, £80 million investigation of the energy industry, found that:

• 36% of those surveyed did not know it was possible to change tariff, payment method, and supplier
• 34% said they had never considered switching supplier
• 56% said they had never switching supplier
• 72% said they had never switching tariff

The report found that dual fuel customers of the Big Six suppliers could have saved an average £164 per year by switching over the previous three-and-a-half years, and in some cases as much as £245. The report pointed out that the potential savings from switching had risen substantially over the past two years, in some cases (depending on tariff) of £330 annually.

Mr Morgan welcomed the report's finding that third party internediaries, such as the Energy Advice Line, "significantly reduce search and switching costs for domestic customers by providing an easy means to gain personalised quotes, on a comparable basis, from a range of different suppliers."

But he rejected one of the report's recommendations for a national database of customers who had not switched over the past three years. This would see rival firms send their deals to the listed customers in the post.

"This would be a nightmare for consumers, who would be inundated with confusing offers from rival suppliers desperately competing for business," Mr Morgan said. "This would not help consumer engagement with the energy market, and could well have the opposite effect - all their communications could end up being ignored.

"As the CMA says itself, independent and reliable services like the Energy Advice Line are the quicklest, easiest and cheapest way to shop around for the best deals and change suppliers."

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 callling 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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Consumers left out of pocket

The Energy Advice Line has urged small and medium sized firms to hang up on cold callers offering to help them with their energy bills after an investigation was launched into a scam that leaves businesses hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service, said the swindle was further evidence that Ofgem should outlaw cold calling.

“The investigation into this fraudulent activity highlights what we have been saying for some time: businesses need to avoid dealing with cold callers,” Mr Morgan said.

“The majority of cold callers are not fraudsters, of course, but for many reasons it’s better to politely hang up on unsolicited callers offering cheap energy deals or anything else to do with their energy supplies.

“Cold callers are unlikely to be offering the cheapest deals on the market because they are often calling on behalf of a particular supplier, despite what they say to the contrary.

“Worse, they could be fraudsters trying to steal your money.

“Reputable and independent switching services don’t need to engage in call calling, so just hang up on anyone that calls out of the blue.”

Trading Standards officers in Nottinghamshire have launched an investigation into a company that targets pubs, cafes and takeaways offering to claim back up to £6000 on their utility bills.

The fraudsters, operating under a number of company names, arrange for “auditors” to review a business’ energy bills and then persuade the owners to sign an agreement to claim back money.

The signed-up business later receives a telephone call purporting to be from their energy supplier, who apologizes for overcharging them. The fraudsters complete their scam by persuading the business to sign a contract that contains a £325 fee in the small print.

“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is, and this applies to getting money back from energy companies or basic energy deals,” Mr Morgan said.

“If you believe you might have been overcharged for your energy – and this does happen due to malfunctioning meters or billing mistakes, contact your energy supplier directly.

“And when it comes to shopping around for the best deals, always do this through a reputable price comparison and switching service like the Energy Advice Line. This way you know you are getting independent advice.”

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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk

Do we still need coal?

A 'historic turning point' has been reached, as declared by green energy supporters.

In the UK, part of our electricity is generated by coal. Last week the amount of electric energy that is created from coal fell to zero late on Monday 9 May, and remained this way until the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The last time this occured was during 1882, when the world's first public coal-fired generator opened in Holborn - according to Carbon Brief, reporters of climate science.

On top of this, our carbon emissions are now the lowest that they have been for at least the past 20 years. This shift in electrical energy generation has helped to cause this reduction, and the demand on electricity supplies in general have remained at a fairly flat level over the past ten years.

But what does this mean for energy prices?

The government have always been aiming to phase out coal generation by 2025 due to it's level of pollution, and with renewables on the up this is beginning to look like an acheivable target. With electricity less dependent on the fossil fuels of the industrial revolution the cost of producing the energy should begin to decline.

With companies looking to keep their profit margins looking healthy it's anyone's guess where the market will go, but the advice remains that looking around for the most competitive prices will continue to be the most effective way of saving money on your energy spend.

The Energy Advice Line is a free and impartial price comparison service, allowing you to compare the most competitive quotes in the UK and always end up with the best price for you. Find out more and get a quote today at energyadviceline.org.uk

Energy Advice Line calls for further price cuts

The Energy Advice Line has joined calls for energy companies to drop their prices after the cost of gas fell to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for domestic and business energy users, backed calls by consumer groups for energy companies to be more generous with their price cuts.

"Wholesale prices are at an historic low, yet suppliers have waited until recently - the end of winter - to make very modest cuts to household gas prices," Mr Morgan said.

"These companies can afford to make more significant cuts, and it should have happened sooner, not as we enter a period when most people are, or already have, turned their heating off.

"Energy companies talk about rebuilding trust with consumers but they need to do more than reduce prices by a meagre amount very late in the day if they are to win them back."

Figures released by price reporting agency ICIS showed that wholesale gas prices in the first quarter of 2016 were down by one third on the same period last year - the lowest since data was first collected in 2005.

ICIS analysts said falling prices were due to oversupply in all markets, and suggested prices could drop further, as wholesale gas contracts for delivery in future years were even lower.

Consumer groups have called for companies to make further cuts to their standard tariffs following only modest reductions in gas prices earlier this year.

The Big Six have offered customers gas price cuts of just 5% and no change to electricity prices, despite energy markets plummeting to historic lows.

"Energy companies are not doing the right thing, as they are refusing the pass on reasonable price reductions in line with falling wholesale prices," Mr Morgan said. "It is really important that consumers vote with their feet about this.

"Now more than ever it is crucial for consumers to stay informed about what is happening in the market and to demand a better deal from their suppliers.

"If supplier refuse to offer competitive prices then consumers need to switch to avoid paying more than they need to. With help from a reputable independent service like Energy Advice Line this can be quick and easy and most importantly completely free."

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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Bills still baffle

Energy companies and Ofgem should further simplify bills following a new survey showing 60% of consumers are still confused by them, according to the Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users said the information provided to consumers about gas and electricity supplies needed to be clearer.

"This survey simply confirms what we already knew - consumers still find their energy bills baffling and this stands in their way of switching suppliers, because they can't compare tariffs like for life," Mr Morgan said.

"It's in the interest of energy companies to have complicated bills, which is why the energy regulator needs to step in and impose new rules so suppliers make the information they send out clear and simple.

"Previous measures put in place by Ofgem clearly haven't worked, and they need to go back to the drawing board."

Ofgem's previous reforms included a requirement for suppliers to provide details of the cheapest available tariff on customers' bills, yet almost half of those surveyed said they have seen no difference. More than half are unable to recall information about cheaper deals.

However, more than a quarter of those surveyed admitted they don't bother to check any details on their energy bills beyond the amount they have to pay. Younger consumers are the most ignorant; almost seven in ten of those aged between 18 - 35 admit they don't fully understand their bills.

Energy suppliers were voted the worst offenders for sending confusing bills, worse than water companies, mortgage lenders, councils, phone companies and credit card lenders.

"The complicated nature of energy bills is obviously a problem that has to be tackled," Mr Morgan said.

"It is unacceptable that consumers are still baffled by these bills, when energy now forms a significant proportion of household expenditure. How can energy users take control of their energy supplies and make informed choices about which supplier and tariff to go for, when they are bewildered by the information on their bills?"

But Mr Morgan said there was also a role for consumers to play.

"Energy users need to do themselves - and their bank balances - a big favour and actually read their bills carefully. We understand that this won't be the highlight of their day, but it needs to be done to avoid paying over the odds for gas and electricity.

"This is where the Energy Advice Line can help. Consumers who don't understand their bills, and would like to switch suppliers, can call us free of charge for help.

"We can explain the bill, search the market for the cheapest deal and arrange the switch accordingly, and it will cost nothing. It makes much more sense than remaining baffled, or worse, not opening your bill at all."

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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Businesses lose millions by failing to be energy active

Small and medium-sized firms are losing out on millions of pounds in potential savings by failing to engage with the energy market, according to the Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said a new YouGov survey showed that SMEs who did not negotiate with suppliers were paying a high financial cost.

The survey, commission by npower Business, found that 70% of SMEs surveyed don't bother to ask suppliers for discounts and price savings. Those SMEs who did ask saved a total of £511 million on their energy bills - an average £2,800 per business.

"So many businesses assume there is nothing they can do about the size of their energy bills because prices are beyond their control. It simply isn't true," Mr Morgan said.

"Just as shopping around for the cheapest deals can achieve substantial savings, so can negotiating to secure the very best deals.

"The sruvey proves that the size of the potential savings is staggering - up to £10,000 for some businesses.

"The lesson is that businesses have to take charge of their energy supplies by shopping around and trying to drive a hard bargain. Energy is exactly the same as any other good or service - you don't settle for any old deal."

To encourage more businesses to negotiate with their suppliers, the Big Six has launched a campaign that offers tips on how to get the most out of their negotiations, including the importance of research and planning ahead.

But Mr Morgan said that using an independent and respected service like the Energy Advice Line was another option for business leaders and decision makers who wanted to save time and legwork.

"Businesses can really improve their bottom line by taking a good hard look at their energy costs and suppliers - and we can help with that," Mr Morgan said.

"We have expert business energy advisers who know all the traps, tricks and pitfalls involved in analyzing the market and choosing the best deal.

"The service is completely free and involves no pressure or cold calling. It just makes financial sense."

The Energy Advice Line is one of the UK's leading price comparison and switching services for business and domestic 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 line for business energy customers.

For further information visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Consumers tricked by cold callers

An unsolicited cold caller has deliberately tricked a Business Electricity customer into a contract by claiming that they were calling from their current supplier, according to Energy Advice Line.

The customer was literally bombarded by calls from this cold caller and quoted to Energy Advice Line that she "could not get anything done in between calls" as the frequency was so high. The customer admitted that she was "badgered into submission" and eventually agreed to sign up.

Unfortunately, this is where the real issues started for this particular customer as when she contacted the supplier in response to a significant increase on her businesses bills she was told that she had been miss-sold the contract by the agency and the liability did not rest with them as the supplier.

 The customer was tricked... 

The customer was not just tricked into the contract but then found out that the bills had increased as a result. This is unfortunately the big problem with unsolicited cold calling as the customer is literally forced into contracts with high pressure sales techniques with no proof that the caller has checked the market to offer the best price possible. The sheer number of calls that the cold callers make is staggering but is purely designed to wear down the unsuspecting customer into agreeing a contract that is usually very heavily commission weighted.

Read more about 'Be Wary of Business Electricity Cold Callers' here

E.ON launches energy audit service

The Energy Advice Line has cautiosly welcomed the launch of a new business energy audit service aimed at helping small and medium-sized firms reduce their energy use and carbon emissions.

The service, launched by energy giant E.ON, promises to identify measures firms can take to save energy - by upgrading equipment or changing working practices, for example.

"SMEs need all the help they can get to reduce their energy bills and larger companies may well benefit from this service," said Julian Morgan, managing director of Energy Advice Line.