Are you ready for winter energy bills?

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.

"Just because the lights are on and the printer is working, doesn't mean that your business electricity bills are sorted. When prices are high and volatile as they are at the moment, it's important to take charge to avoid paying much more than you need to."

According to the survey, almost 50% of firms said they didn't have "readily available" funds to pay for their energy bills and 75% said they were familiar with "bill shock" during energy intensive cold winter months.

Further, the survey found that 40% of SMEs had never been offered any help or advice on how to reduce their expenditure on energy.

Mr Morgan said more firms needed to pick up the phone and discuss their energy bills with an independent and reputable energy service like the Energy Advice Line.

"We have expert advisers who know all there is to know about energy bills and switching," Mr Morgan said. "Being on the right tariff is key and good advice is essential.

"Taking out a fixed term contract, for example, can significantly reduce the prospoext of "bill shock", which comes from not really knowing what you are paying for your energy.

"This security of knowing that your tariff will not increase over a certain period makes it much easier for a firm to budget for their energy bills and to reduce the risk of not having the money to pay a bill when it arrives.

"We can also advise on other ways to keep bills under control, like paying by direct debit.

"But most of all we can help firms find the cheapest available deals for the needs, and facilitate the switch so that it's seamless and easy. To do otherwise is to throw money away."

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 consumers when their fixed-term energy contracts are about to end.

For further information, visit energyadviceline.org.uk

Most expensive energy tariffs revealed

As winter draws in and energy bills start to creep up, a list has been published that highlights the ten worst energy deals on the UK. Four of which are misleadingly labelled as a 'standard' tariff.

Four of the Big Six energy companies feature on the list where independent supplier Co-operative Energy sits in the number one spot with their 'Green Pioneer' tariff.

Npower, Scottish Power, SSE, and EDF are the four Big Six companies named and shamed this month. Pay as you go customers are still in the dark as to how their tariff truly measures up as this research only takes into consideration those on contracted prices.

Co-operative energy came in at the top of the list with a total cost of £361 per year than the cheapest tariff on the market.

Overall an estimated total of 2.3 million people are using these ten tariffs, and are typically higher priced as they require the customer to pay by cash or cheque, rather than the cheaper option of monthly direct debits.

Julian Morgan, managing director of the price comparison and switching service, Energy Advice Line, commented, "It's more important than ever for consumers to not only be aware of the price that they are apying, but also how their chosen method of payment can affect their overall annual spend.

"It's reached that time of year where bills start to rocket due to the colder weather and turning on the central heating. Be sensible with your temperatures and don't find yourself landed with a large bill out of the blue."

The Energy Advice Line provides a service that is not only free, but also completely impartial. Advice is available for both business and domestic customers that may need assistance in understanding their bills, or finding the best rate.

For more information visit energyadviceline.org.uk