Top Tips for 2018

If you're looking to get your energy spend in check for 2018 then look no further. We've got reminders of some of the easily forgotten jobs, as well as a couple of different ones you may not have thought of before.

• Energy saving light bulbs - now a standard in most stores, there's really no excuse to not be using them. Be sure to check the colour of the bulb your buying, soft or warm whites are best for the home whereas cool or pure whites are more suitable for the office according to the Energy Saving Trust. Bonus tip: when did you last clean your lights? Dust in the fittings can reduce efficiency so be sure to give them a quick wipe when you change the bulbs.
• Clearing out the freezer - one for the home, while having your freezer sufficiently filled helps keep the temperature constant, over-filling can result in the items nearer the door defrosting without you realising. Consider defrosting a couple of times a year to ensure everything is working as it should.
• PAT Testing - make sure to book a regular PAT testing with your local service engineers and ensure that all office and work place electroics are working up to scratch and not likely to cause any hazards. While replacing old equipment will be an upfront cost, newer devices are likely to be more efficient meaning long term savings.
• The Tea Round - While often the tea round can be a good time for a bit of office gossip catching up, it's also more energy efficient than everyone making their own 'sneaky tea'. The guidelines to keep in mind however include not filling the kettle with more water than you need, always fill enough to cover the heating element, and it doesn't necessarily need to reach a full boil before making the tea.
• Get a smart meter - You've no doubt received a letter from your supplier by now requesting to book an appointment for your smart meter installation. The main aim of these units is to report your energy usage back to your supplier in real time, but it also helps you to see how much your spending - consider tracking your usage for one month, and then trying to beat it the next.

 And don't forget, it always pays to make sure you're paying the best rates on the market. Visit energyadviceline.org.uk for your free, no obligation quote and find out how much you could be saving when you switch. Not all suppliers charge if you leave the contract early, or you can register for a renewal reminder to check again once your contract is up for renewal.

Dual fuel bill costs remain high

Business electricity users and householders were facing difficult decisions about their energy contracts, with wholesale prices dipping and some suppliers offering longer than usual fixed-rate deals, according to the Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said lower wholesale energy prices and increased competition were creating opportunities for customers to lock in good deals.

But he said the trade-off for consumers who opted for longer-term price protection was potentially missing out on cheaper prices if energy costs continued to fall.

“Consumers are facing some difficult choices at the moment and they need to take expert advice,” Mr Morgan said.

“Some of the deals we are seeing are very attractive due to a dip in the price suppliers are paying for gas and electricity, and some of the benefits of a more competitive energy market starting to flow through.

“Consumers will be tempted by these deals, as well as the opportunity to lock them in for up to four years, which is longer than usual.

“But the flip side is that if energy prices fall further, which some experts predict that they will, consumers on fixed deals will miss out on those savings.

“Consumers need to consider the value they place on knowing their energy tariff will not increase over the medium-to long-term.”

The average dual fuel bill now stands at £1,265 a year, significantly more than the cheapest tariffs currently available over one, two, three and four-year fixed deals.

But some experts say that cheap energy deals now on offer do not reflect current falls in wholesale prices, which could possibly drive down prices even further in the coming months.

“At the end of the day it’s impossible to predict the future of energy prices, so householders and business energy users need to consider their priorities carefully,” Mr Morgan said.

“For many people, the piece of mind of knowing that their energy tariffs will not skyrocket over the next few years is well worth the premium they pay for  fixed-term deal, and the fact that they won’t benefit if prices fall.

“Other consumers will be happy for their tariffs to ‘float’ in line with what is happening in the market, because they stand a chance of making savings if and when prices fall.”

Mr Morgan said that although current market conditions presented consumers with a dilemma, the worst thing they could do was put their head in the sand when it came to energy supplies.

“It can seem tricky to make the right decision, but impartial and independent services like ours can help,” Mr Morgan said.

“We can guide householders and business owners through the benefits and disadvantages of fixed-term deals so that they can make the best decision for their budget and circumstances.

“The worst thing anyone can do is to do nothing.”

The Energy Advice Line is the UK’s leading impartial comparison, switching and advice service for businesses and householders.  It actively campaigns for reform of the UK’s energy market to boost competition, get consumers a better deal from suppliers and lower energy prices.

The Energy Advice Line’s price comparison and switching service is free and completely impartial. 

Consumers can obtain energy quotes with a few computer strokes based on a diverse panel of energy suppliers including the major players and smaller independent utility companies.

For further information visit Energy Advice Line

Smart meters: worth the money?

The Energy Advice Line has questioned whether a new metering system about to be installed in millions of home and businesses will be cost-effective.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said the technology had been rejected by Germany and found not to be financially worthwhile in other parts of the world.

"We are also very concerned that the technology might discourage consumers from switching suppliers, as the meters installed by one supplier might not be able to 'speak' to another," Mr Morgan said.

"At the very least, suppliers and regulators need to ensure that the next generation of smart meters is designed to encourage, not discourage, consumers to switch to save money on their bills."

Smart meters send information on energy usage directly to the energy supplier, eliminating the need for meter readings. The technology also allows consumers to see how much energy they are using in real time, enabling them to adjust their usage accordingly.

Although the EU has ordered all members to introduce the technology by 2020, as long as there is a positive financial case to do so, not all countries see any financial benefit.

Germany has rejected the system, arguing the cost to consumers of installing the equipment would outweigh any potential saving on their bills. Auditors in Australia and Canada have also found the systems too expensive.

However, some consumers who already have smart meters say that seeing the real cost of using appliances has encouraged them to adjust the way they use energy - by using the microwave more than the oven for example - which has saved them money on bills. The government says this kind of behaviour could reduce households energy bills by an average £26 a year up to 2020.

"While some consumers who already have the first wave of the technology installed have seen some benefits, there have also been problems," Mr Morgan said. "We are calling on Ofgem and the big six suppliers to ensure that the second wave of these meters deliver the promised benefits.

"The total cost of introducing this technology into 53 million homes and small businesses is estimated at £11 billion - and suppliers have admitted that at least part of this cost will be passed on to consumers.

"It is absolutely essential that the new generation of meters, which is already running late, is fit for purpose. This new system must not increase the financial burden on consumers or place obstacles in the way of them switching 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 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

Catering Sector Should Save Energy & Shop Around

Britain's catering sector should take control of energy costs by cutting waste and shopping around for better deals to recude it's £1.3 billion annual spend on energy, according to Energy Advice Line.

A survey of 150 restaurant owners, managers and chefs carried out by Big Six energy supplier E.ON showed energy worries came second only to staff issues, yet three-quarters admitted they didn't know how to reduce their energy consumption.

Switch Supplier Before The Big Switch On

Homeowners and business energy users should consider switching energy suppliers before the predicted record winter freeze hits, according to the Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users said it was just weeks before the 'Big Switch On' on October 31, when consumers traditionally turned on the heating on a daily basis.

"With forecasters predicting an Arctic winter freeze, now is the time for consumers to investigate switching so that they are not paying over the odds once the bitter cold sets in." Mr Morgan said.

"It's possible to save as much as hundreds of pounds by switching supplier in advance of the end of October, when traditionally we turn out heating on every day.

"With forecasters predicting record lows, it really is worth investing the time and the effort in taking control of your energy supplies and shopping around for the best deals to take you through the winter."

Mr Morgan said that Energy Advice Line experts had the knowledge to help business energy users and households decide on the most appropriate tariff for their needs, with a number of excellent deals available.

Some of the cheapest domestic deals on the market were variable tariffs, which meant that if energy prices rose, so would your energy bills. Some fixed deals, on the other hand, were slightly more expensive but offered the security of knowing prices would remain the same for the duration of the contract.

Many households on fixed tariffs will see their energy bills leap significantly when their dual-fuel gas and electricity rates expire at the end of the month.

"There are lots of tariffs out there and it helps to have an expert explain the difference between them and help decide the best deal for your needs," Mr Morgan said.

"Large nunbers of fixed tariffs expire at the end of this month, so it's crucial that you stay in control of your energy bills now.

"With potential savings of hundreds of pounds, it makes financial sense to spend just a few moments comparing tariffs to see what you can save. And the easiest way to do this is to use our online service or give us a call.

"It's important to remember that this service is free and our prices are completely transparent."

The Energy Advice Line is a consumer champion and an independent 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 consumer users when their fixed-term energy contracts are about to end.

For further information, visit energyadviceline.org.uk

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