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

Will independent suppliers help you save?

The UK’s most highly rated price comparison and switching service for energy users has urged consumers in search of the best deals to seek out smaller independent suppliers.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the service ranked number one on consumer feedback site Trustpilot, said more independent suppliers were entering the energy market than ever and challenging the monopoly of the Big Six.

“The clear message for consumers is that there are highly competitive alternatives to the major players now and it makes sound financial sense to take a look at what the independents are offering,” Mr Morgan said.

“Consumers have made it clear that they have lost faith in the Big Six after years of high prices and lack of competition in the market. I am pleased to report that that situation has started to change.

“The suppliers on our panel now include more small and independent suppliers than ever before, and they’re offering highly competitive deals in a bid to take on the Big Six.

“We’re advising both domestic and non-domestic energy consumers to use a reputable and independent price comparison service like the Energy Advice Line to seek out the smaller players to see what they have to offer.

“These consumers could well save money and bag a better level of customer service if they do.”

Extra Energy, a highly competitive new entrant to the UK energy market, launched two new tariffs costing less than £940 in a bid to take the top spot for the cheapest dual-fuel energy tariff of 2014.

In November it was reported that more than 36% of all consumers who switched energy supplier had switched to Extra Energy to take advantage of the big savings being offered to homes and businesses.

The company claims that by running “a highly efficient and lean operation” that does not advertise it is able to pass on big savings to consumers.

Mr Morgan the business model adopted by Extra Energy and other new entrants to the UK energy market was proving very popular with business and domestic energy consumers.

“High prices, poor service and tarnished reputations of the big energy suppliers are prompting more and more consumers to consider their options,” Mr Morgan said.

“Lots of consumers are now switching to small, independent suppliers that might not be household names but are offering competitive deals and the prospect of better customer service.

“Smaller companies are often more nimble and customer-focused because they have to be competitive to get ahead. This is winning over customers who have lost faith in the Big Six.”

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

Which? reveals top energy deals for June

Is your energy contract up for renewal this month? Are you looking to switch supplier and save yourself a bit of money at the same time?

The team at Which? have taken it upon themselves to go through some of the cheapest deals on the market so you can be sure that you're saving money.

They've compared how this year's deals stack up against this time in 2016, and the good news is that they're looking, on average, £100 cheaper. 

Check out the full article from Which? here.

What's next? If you want to change your tariff simply give us a ring on 0800 915 1800 and let us know which you're thinking of switching too. We can then compare it with your existing tariff to see what kind of a saving you could make, or if there's another tariff that's even better for you. You can also check our quotes online at energyadviceline.org.uk

Switch collectively and save on your bills

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

Households save hundreds when switching

Shopping around and switching suppliers is confirmed to lead to significant savings after a government programme saved 130,000 homes a combined £38 million, according to The Energy Advice Line.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users, said consumers who doubted the benefits of changing suppliers should heed the findings of the programme.

The DECC said 350,000 people had visited its website in the month after the launch, and 130,000 households had switched energy supplier. This was 80% more than over the same period the year before.

Don't put off switching!

The Energy Advice Line has urged small businesses that need to move premises to get in touch after a survey showed 20% of firms put off relocating because they cannot face changing service providers.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison, switching and advice service for energy users said it was unfortunate that so many business owners were staying in potentially inappropriate premises because dealing with suppliers was so hard.

“Small business owners should get in touch with us because we can sort out their business energy needs, leaving them free to get on with moving and ensuring their firms make a smooth transition to new premises,” Mr Morgan said.