British Gas Price Cut

British Gas has said that more than seven million households will benefit when it cut its standard tariff gas prices by 10% on 19 February. The news will see a reduction of £84 from the average annual gas bill and comes after the "big six" energy companies were urged to pass on lower wholesale gas prices.

British Gas, which is part of the Centrica group and trades as Scottish Gas in Scotland, raised its gas prices by a record 35% in 2008, while other companies lifted prices by more than 20%.

"We are committed to providing the best possible prices for customers. This price cut will go some way to helping customers manage their budgets, and we will continue to do what we can, when we can."
Phil Bentley, Managing Director, British Gas

However, consumer watchdogs and Age Concern said that, unless there were further price cuts from all suppliers across all tariffs, "many of the poorest customers will continue struggle to pay their energy bills" and continue to remain in fuel poverty.

Energy price cuts are likely to be too little and too late to help consumers with this winter's fuel bills. More importantly, it is now looking highly unlikely that price cuts are going to wipe out last year's painful hike in household energy bills. One way to reduce your bills further is to reduce your consumption through energy efficient means.

Reduce Your Bills
Energy Saving Tips
Winter Warmer Ideas

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Petrol Consumption Reduction Tips

Changing your car to a new environmentally friendly model may not be easy for us all. But there are some ways you can reduce your fuel consumption, save money and help the environment too. The following simple tips could save the average driver £120 a year and reduce your CO2 emissions by 200kg per year. According to the organisers of the 2008 MPG Marathon, if we all were to implement these methods into our driving we could collectively save £8.2 billion per year in fuel costs, and significantly reduce the 91m tonnes of CO2 currently emitted in the UK annually .

• Gear Changes
  Change up before 2,500rpm (petrol) and 2,000rpm (diesel).
  
  
• Plan Ahead
  Anticipate road conditions and drive smoothly, avoiding sharp acceleration and heavy braking. This saves fuel and reduces accident rates.
  
  
• Air Con
  Use air conditioning sparingly as it significantly increases fuel consumption.
  
  
• Kill Your Speed
  The most efficient speed depends upon the car in question but is typically around 55 - 65mph. Faster speed will greatly increase your fuel consumption.
  
  
• Don't Wait Around
  Drive away immediately when starting from cold - idling to heat the engine wastes fuel and causes rapid engine wear.
  
  
• Aerodynamics
  Roof racks, bike carriers, and roof boxes significantly affect your car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency, so remember to remove them when not in use.
  
  
• Avoid Short Distances
  A cold engine uses almost twice as much fuel and catalytic converters can take five miles to become effective. Walking or bikes can be a great alternative to short journeys.
  
  
• Plan Your Route
  Plan your journeys to avoid congestion, road works and getting lost. Sat Nav and online map services such as Google Maps can help you find the way.
  
  
• Tyre Pressure
  Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%.
  
  
• Switch Off
  Stuck in a jam, switch the engine off if you expect to be there for more than a minute or two. Cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.
  

MPG Marathon 2008

The real benefits of ‘smarter’ motoring came into sharp focus this week when competitors in the 2008 MPG Marathon proved beyond doubt that skilful eco-driving can dramatically reduce the cost of motoring and cut the amount of CO2 emissions produced by Britain's 30 million motorists.

The 40 teams taking part achieved an average improvement of 23 per cent over the manufacturer’s official combined figures and, if replicated by all of Britain’s car and commercial vehicle drivers, would save a total of £8.2 billion per year in fuel costs.

Eighty drivers and navigators took part in this national initiative, a round trip between ALD Automotive’s headquarters in Fishponds, Bristol and Shrigley Hall, Macclesfield to establish whether eco-driving can squeeze more miles per gallon (mpg) out of their vehicles than conventional motoring. The objective was to ‘save pounds and the planet’ as the drivers put the manufacturer’s own estimates of fuel consumption to the test – and won.

The achievement was all the more impressive as the drivers had to deal with the glare of publicity and congested roads during the two-day endurance trial. Twenty two manufacturers agreed to publicly have a variety of their hatchbacks, saloons and commercial vehicles put through their paces by automotive journalists, 'green' organisations and motoring safety bodies, including the AA, over this gruelling 400-mile round trip.

While seven vehicles achieved more than 70 miles per gallon, eight amazingly secured more than 80 miles per gallon, a record for the event which is in its sixth year, but the overall winning position went to the Toyota Yaris driven by Andrew Andersz which achieved a staggering 84.66mpg.

Second place went to Sue and Joanne Cooke in the Mazda2 1.4 Diesel with 84.58mpg. James Sutherland and navigator Richard Hill, who have won the last two MPG Marathons, failed to achieve their ‘hat trick’ in the Toyota Aygo Blue although it came in fifth place with 82.39mpg, a 34.18 per cent improvement over the manufacturer’s combined cycle figures, and using just 22.71 litres of petrol. This was the best figure achieved by a petrol-engined car in the event.

The MPG Marathon also sought out the drivers most capable of improving on the fuel consumption figures claimed by the manufacturer.

A Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with a manufacturer’s combined mpg of 19.2, managed to achieve 30.96mpg, an improvement of 61.26 per cent, despite its massive seven-litre engine. Driver and navigator Richard Hammond and Carla McAlpine proved that even so-called ‘gas guzzler’ sports cars can be driven more economically.

Second place in the percentage improvement class went to Christophe Duprat from ALD Automotive International and French motoring journalist Emilie Eyzat in a Honda Accord, with an MPG of 73.98, an improvement of 49.16 per cent.

Another entry of note was the Ford Focus driven and navigated by Devon and Cornwall police officers Martin Davis and Malcolm Curnow who achieved a fuel consumption of 62.43mpg against the manufacturer’s figure of 54.2mpg, an improvement of 15.18 per cent on the standard Focus, although more significant because the vehicle would be heavier with additional equipment. The force is attempting to cut its £2.3 million annual fuel bill because, with a fleet of 1200 vehicles, officers drive an amazing 29 million miles per year as a result of there being more miles of roads in the two counties than in the whole of Belgium. AA president Edmund King, sharing the driving with BBC Transport correspondent Tom Symonds, achieved 73mpg in a new Fiat 500, an improvement of 9.01 per cent.

It’s not what you drive, but how you drive that makes the difference and once again the combined efforts of all the participants and sponsors delivered a first class, educational event which has proved, if proof was needed, that skilled driving techniques work and can make a dramatic impact upon miles per gallon.

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Northern Ireland Energy Prices Increase Again

Electricity and gas prices are to increase in Northern Ireland by 33% and 19% respectively. Following on from an increase of 14% in July announced by NIE for electricity in July and a 28% increase in gas prices announced by Phoneix for gas in May. Both are blaming the increases on the wholesale prices of fuel.

"We don't make a penny more from this increase, this price increase is driven purely by the increase in our wholesale prices."
Stephen McCully, NIE Energy


"These price rises are truly shocking for consumers and people will struggle to cope. Having considered all the information provided to us, we accept that Phoenix's level of increase bears scrutiny and is broadly in line with the rest of the UK. However, NIE Energy's scale of increase is not and it needs urgent and further explanation - in just 10 months their rate of increase has almost doubled compared to the rest of the UK, even though we are told that global energy prices are behind these rises. The Consumer Council cannot accept an increase of this scale until this fundamental question is fully answered. In the absence of competition, consumers need to be fully satisfied that the regulatory system works."
Eleanor Gill, Consumer Council

"We don't approve proposals for price rises without extensive scrutiny. We regret having to approve major price rises and are conscious of the impact that this will have on household budgets in Northern Ireland. We have worked hard to try to minimise the burden of the increase on low income consumers in particular. Specifically, we have directed NIE Energy to take specific steps to prevent price increases disproportionately impacting on Economy 7 users, who tend to be on low incomes.
Iain Osborne, The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation

Whilst it is not surprising that the energy prices have risen again, it was mentioned that there was likely back in July, it is quite a shock that they have risen so sharply. For those in the position that are already struggling it is a devastating blow, and those that aren't so badly off it is still an extra burden.

Those that are struggling should contact their suppliers to see what help exists for those that are fuel poor, there should be a subsidised tariff.

Those that are also stuggling should take advantage of energy grants specifically available to them.

If you search this blog, we have lots of information on how to reduce your energy bills information on grants. Further information is also available at the Energy Saving Trust website, and on their freephone number 0800 512 012.

If you really want to find out a bit more face to face, you can always visit the Lifestyle Green 2008 show this Saturday at Castle Espie. On hand will be numberous organisations that can assist you in reducing your energy consumption, including installing energy saving measures for free.

We also have our Energy Saving Tips page, and our Winter Warmer Ideas which could help you reduce your fuel bills this winter.

If you would like to know more or would like specific free advice, please feel free to email us at support@howtosaveenergy.co.uk.


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Lifestyle Green 2008

Formula Zero Championship 2008 Starts in Rotterdam

On Friday in the centre of Rotterdam, at the sound of the Vice-Mayor’s starting gun, the Formula Zero Championship commenced. Six internatonal teams spent two days competing for the title of this new zero emission race series.

The Formula Zero Championship consisted of two different challenges for the racing teams. On Friday from 17:30 there was sprint races in which teams competed for the fastest lap time with a ‘flying start’. On Saturday there will was the two-mile main races with ‘standing start’ (approx. 6 laps). The mobile race track, which can be put up anywhere, has a length of 535m and lies at the foot of the Willemsbridge.

Each team's entry was powered by a commercial fuel cell that produces electricity from hydrogen.

Founded by Dutch motorsport enthusiasts Godert van Hardenbroek and Eelco Rietveld, Formula Zero is already recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the world's motorsport governing body.

Teams Competing in the event were;

• Greenchoice Forze: TU Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
• EUPLATECH2: EUPLA, Zaragoza, Spain
• Imperial Racing Green: Imperial College London, London, UK
• Element One: Lawrence Technological University, Detroit, USA
• HercUCLAs: University of California, Los Angeles, USA
• Unicord Solvay Zero Emission: RacingTeam Groep T, Leuven, Belgium

"In 10 years if the motorsport industry as a whole hasn't engaged in zero or low emission principles, it probably won't be around. Teams that embrace this new technology early on will succeed, and those that don't will fall by the wayside. With a combustion engine, you have to reach three or four thousand rev[olutions per minute] to get your peak power, with an electric vehicle, it's all there from standing, and they're more efficient."
Greg Offer, Imperial Racing Green, Imperial College London

It is expected that the class will grow to Formula Three standard and then full-size racing class as interest in green motoring escalates. The next event will be held in the US in March. In 2009 the Formula Zero championship will comprise four races.

Formula Zero’s goal is to generate enthusiasm for fuel cell cars and accelerate the introduction of this technology into commercial production. Formula Zero proves that sustainable mobility is already a reality. The racing world is the ideal environment for developing this technology so that we will eventually all drive zero emission cars. Whilst the event may not be zero emissions the cars are, and the benefit of engaging events like this is that it will encourage commericial production of fuel cell vehicles in the future.

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Japan Cuts Petrol Prices

Old news now, but last week eco chic Japan made the backward move of reducing petrol prices by twelve pence a litre, or a cut of about 15% off the cost of a litre of fuel. This price cut prompted Yasuo Fukuda apologised for the petrol bonanza. He asked, How can Japan present itself as environmentally friendly and a reducer of emissions when it had taken the "backward move" of making petrol cheaper? This comes almost a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for a 50% cut in world emissions by 2050, and expected Japan to play a leading role in such an effort.

Whilst the price cut is expected to be only temporary, due to the Liberal Democratic Party being unable to get through a special tax on petrol and diesel, for the first time in thirty-four years, after losing its majority in the upper house.

A study from 2000, carried out by Professor Stephen Glaister and Dr Dan Graham of the department of civil and environmental engineering at Imperial College, London and published by the Automobile Association, reviews research on the response of motorists to fuel price changes. They show that petrol price increases do have a substantial effect upon consumption a 10% increase in price could reduce consumption by as much as 7%. Whilst this research was conducted for the UK market, that could potentially if replicated long-term could see Japan petrol consumption increase 12% based on my unstatistically back of enevelope reverse of the fact.

Joe Wein’s blog, from Yokohama, Japan commented "I’m utterly unimpressed by how both major Japanese parties have handled this conflict.

Fuel taxes in Japan consist of the basic fuel tax and a “temporary” but de-facto permanent surcharge. The ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wanted to hold on to the surcharge, as well as to a peculiar rule that fuel taxes must only be used for road construction and repair. This road-use-only restriction was defended by the so-called “road tribe”, an informal group of politicians with cozy ties to construction companies which in turn support their election campaigns.

The opposition Democratic Party, which controls the less powerful Upper House of parliament, called for dissolving the fuel - road construction link, as well as abolishing the surcharge altogether and only keeping the basic fuel tax, as it was until the 1970s.

The two did not compromise in time before the set expiration date and so prices will fall from tomorrow. Most likely the Lower House, which is controlled by the LDP-led coalition, will override the Upper House about one month later and reimpose the higher tax rate. Meanwhile Prime Minister Fukuda offered to remove the road construction link from April 2009 in order to get the opposition to agree to an extension of the surcharge.

While motorists will welcome cheaper fuel, petrol stations are likely to collectively lose about US$200 million over night, as they hold stocks of some 800 million litres of petrol in their underground tanks on which the tax has already been paid and which will not be refunded to them. Motorists are likely to give their business to whatever petrol station that starts selling at the new low prices first, making it near impossible for other stations to pass on to the consumer the taxes these stations have already paid on stocks delivered before April.

To me it makes no sense to maintain the outdated restriction on how fuel taxes can be used, which serves primarily the interests of construction companies, not the general public. Japan as an aging society with a declining population will need more and more cash for supporting elderly people and their health care, not more and more roads. Why can’t taxes be used where they are needed the most? This pork barrel restriction should have been abandoned a long time ago!

On the other hand it would be irresponsible to cut fuel taxes while the government is running a huge budget deficit. It would just mean more red ink, piling up higher debts to be repaid by our children and grandchildren. Also, cheaper fuel today will do little to encourage consumers to switch to more economical cars or public transport and to cut their output of greenhouse gases. Japan is already way behind on its efforts to meet its obligations under the Kyoto climate treaty.

It would make more sense to maintain and even raise fuel taxes and use the revenue to subsidise CO2 conservation measures, from better home insulation to solar collectors for warm water and subsidies for hybrid cars. Thirty years from now the world will live on maybe half the crude oil output per year as today, shared amongst more consumers. Whatever country comes up with intelligent solutions for living with scarce and expensive oil will do best in the 21st century. Trying to sneak back into a “golden age” of cheap fuel is not the way to succeed."

Double Digit Fuel Price Rises

Energy firm Npower yesterday announced double digit price rises for both its electricity and gas customers. As the fourth largest energy supplier in the UK, Npower said that they were forced to increase prices due to soaring wholesale rates. The price rises are effective from today affecting four million customers across the UK. Other energy companies are expected to follow their lead and announce increases in the coming month.

Increases - Npower / Wholesale Rates;
Electricity +12.7% / +66%
Gas +17.2% / +60%

"Today's decision was not an easy one. We always try to protect our customers for as long as possible but sadly higher energy prices are a fact of life."
Giuseppe Di Vita, Managing Director, Npower (Residential Business)

With ever increasing fuel prices across the board, it is expected that energy prices will continue to increase or remain high throughout 2008. One way you can reduce your bill is by switching energy provider. But this is not advised until the market evens itself out, for more information check out our Q&A on is it time to switch, which also offers information on ways to reduce your energy bill without switching.

As fuel prices increase so does a poverty which currently affects 4m people in the UK, and leaves a further 3m people in a category considered vunerable, leading to charities warning that some of society's most vulnerable members may be forced to choose between food and heating as fuel bills rise.

"For many people, particularly the vulnerable, price hikes mean very real decisions between choosing to heat their home or doing without other essentials"
Jenny Saunders, National Energy Action (NEA), Chief Executive

We have just added a blog post on help available to those in fuel poverty. This is a great post for finding out what grants and benefits are available to help out with the cost of energy and installing energy saving measures.

What Help is Available for those in Fuel Poverty

With the recent price rises from Npower and other suppliers likely to follow suit, a large number of people throughout the UK now falls into being in fuel poverty. The Energy Retail Association estimates there was 4m people in this category in 2006 with a further 3m classified as vunerable, and this has been increasing year on year from 2000.

You may ask how to calculate if your household is in fuel poverty, the equation below we hope clearly shows how to calculate if you are in fuel poverty.

Fuel Poverty Ratio = ((Unit Fuel Price x Fuel Consumption) + Standing Charge) / Income

You should take all fuels into consideration (Gas, Electricity, LPG and solid fuels). Income is considered before tax and national insurance. For more information on how fuel poverty is calculated there is this very detailed document (PDF). Households are considered to be fuel poor if they spend over 10% of their income on fuel.

There is a range of assistance for those even not in fuel poverty, below is organisations and schemes that could help you alieviate the burden of fuel bills through benefits and grants;

Benefits

Winter Fuel Payments

If you are aged 60 to 79 and you are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either £100 or £200, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week. If you are aged 80 or over and you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, you will get an extra £50 or £100, so you could get up to £300, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week. You do not pay tax on Winter Fuel Payments.

For more information please visit the Pension Service: Winter Payment Website.

Cold Weather Payment

A Cold Weather Payment is paid automatically when the average temperature is, or is forecast to be, 0 degrees centigrade or below over seven consecutive days. To qualify you must satisfy the criteria for receipt. The Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office will advertise when a payment is applicable.

To receive a cold weather payment you must be receiving Pension Credit / Income Support / Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based) for one day in the period of cold weather and be receiving one of the following premiums:

• Pensioner Premium
• Enhanced Pensioner Premium
• Higher Pensioner Premium
• Disability Premium
• Severe Disability Premium
• Disabled Child Premium
• or have a child under the age of 5

£8.50 when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below, over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are used to obtain this information.

More information can be found at DirectGov

Grants

Warm Front (England)

Warm Front provides grants of up to £2,700 for heating and insulation measures in low income and other vulnerable households. The maximum grant for an oil central heating system is £4,000. Grants are available to owner occupiers and people who rent their homes from a private landlord. To qualify householders must:

• be in receipt of designated income related benefit or tax credit and have a child under 16, or
• be in receipt of a designated disability related benefit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit, or
• be aged 60 years or over and in receipt of an income related benefit.

Grants are also available to women who are in receipt of a maternity certificate (MATB 1) as well as a designated income related benefit (or their spouses).

The national telephone number for Warm Front in England is Freephone 0800 952 0600
Recent changes include:

• Central heating measures are available for all eligible clients (not just over 60's).
• Eligible customers not connected to mains gas may qualify for oil central heating.
• Clients who have previously received a grant from the Warm Front programme can re-apply to the Scheme Manager. However, they will not receive the same measure again. They will have a new balance, minus the value of all works previously completed under Warm Front.

For further information contact the designated Scheme Manager:

Eaga for enquiries from the West Midlands, South West, London, South East, North West and North East: Freephone 0800 316 6011 or Freephone Minicom 0800 072 0156.


Warm Deal (Scotland)

The Warm Deal in Scotland provides grants of up to £500 for energy efficiency measures and energy advice for those in receipt of one of a range of benefits. A lower level of grant can be claimed by householders aged 60 and over who do not receive these benefits. For more details visit the Scottish Executive or Scottish Gas

There is also the Central Heating Programme, which provides a central heating system, insulation measures, energy advice and an optional benefits check to people aged 60 and over and to tenants of local authorities and housing associations. Claimants must live in a home without central heating or where the existing system is broken and beyond repair.


The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Wales)

HEES in Wales provides grants of up to £1,500 for energy efficiency measures and energy advice for those in receipt of one of a range of benefits who have a child under 16.

HEES Plus offers grants of up to £2,700 for heating and insulation improvements to householders who are 60 or over and to lone parents with a child under the age of 16. In both cases claimants must be in receipt of one of a range of benefits. A lower level of grant can be claimed by householders aged 60 and over who do not receive a qualifying benefit. For more details contact HEES Wales: Freephone 0800 316 2815 or Freephone Minicom 0800 072 0156.

The Warm Homes Scheme (Northern Ireland)

The Warm Homes Scheme offers grants of up to £850 for insulation and heating improvements for owner occupiers and those who rent their homes from a private landlord. Claimants must receive one of a range of benefit payments and have a child under 16.

The Warm Homes Plus Scheme offers grants of up to £4,300 for an enhanced package of heating and insulation measures, including central heating. Claimants must be aged 60 and over and be owner occupiers or tenants of a private landlord. For further information contact Eaga Partnership: Freephone 0800 181 667 or Minicom 019 1233 1054

Energy Saving Trust

There is financial help available if you're planning to make energy saving improvements to your home. The Government, energy suppliers and local authorities all provide grants to help you implement energy saving measures in your home. To search for grants visit their grants finder or you can call them on 0800 512 012. There is also information on simple energy saving tips which could save you several hundred pounds annually

Local Councils

Your local council may also offer assistance, as this varies across each council area, you should contact your local council for more information and advice on the help they offer. To find your local council contact details visit DirectGov

Advice Service

Citizens Advice Bureaux

In 2005-2006 Citizens Advice Bureaux in England, Wales and Northern Ireland received 27,000 general enquiries about problems with fuel plus 45,000 enquiries about fuel debt. Following the prolonged series of fuel price rises we are beginning to receive evidence of CAB clients struggling to pay their bills. They can help you too, you just need to ask for advice.




There is also information on how to reduce your energy bills on the following blog posts;
Is it Time to Switch Energy Providers?
Winter Warming Tips
10 Things to Reduce Energy Use
Cavity Wall Insulation Grants
General Energy Saving Tips

Is it Time to Switch Energy Providers

Npower has just announced double digit rises in fuel costs for their electricity and gas customers. Below is a Q&A on should you switch.

Should I look to change providers?

Not necessarily. Before the price rises, Npower was seen as one of the cheaper providers. The independent watchdog Energywatch has said that, given other firms are likely to also raise their prices, it may be worth waiting to see what Npower's competitors do. If you switch to a cheaper supplier today, you may well find that they too put up their prices, as all of the companies have to buy gas in exactly the same international market.

So switching is a waste of time then?

Not quite. The argument goes that savings can still be made, especially if you have never switched before and are still with either British Gas or the company that took over from your regional electricity board. In those cases, you are likely to be on their highest tariff. So you may still be able to achieve a significant relative cut in your bills.

How common is energy switching?

The full figures for 2007 are not yet available, but in 2006 about 4 million households changed their gas or electricity supplier, according to the energy regulator Ofgem. In April 2006, when wholesale energy prices were last at very high levels, and price increases were starting to bite, a record 900,000 customers changed supplier. However about 50% of UK households have never taken the opportunity to switch their provider and it is these people who are likely to have the best opportunity to make hefty savings.

How do you switch energy companies?

In theory, it is relatively easy to switch your energy supplier - and should certainly be less arduous than changing, say, a mortgage provider. Regardless of where you live in the UK, there are several suppliers to choose from. You can opt to have separate firms supplying your gas and electricity - or choose one company to supply both, commonly known as dual fuel. The most common and effective way is to firstly identify the company which can offer the cheapest deal is to use a price comparison service. Energywatch has approved 13 companies providing price comparison services both via the internet and on the telephone. These are;

• www.moneysupermarket.com
• www.energylinx.co.uk
• www.ukpower.co.uk
• www.saveonyourbills.co.uk
• www.homeadvisoryservice.com
• www.theenergyshop.com
• www.uswitch.com
• www.simplyswitch.com
• www.unravelit.com
• www.confused.com
• www.energyhelpline.com
• www.moneyexpert.com/energy
• www.switchwithwhich.co.uk

Most of these companies will deal with your new supplier on your behalf, and also contact your old supplier to organise the switch. It does not cost the consumer anything - with the firms receiving a payment from the energy company which has won the new business. However if you would rather go it alone, you can talk with the firm you want to be your new supplier and agree a contract. Then you tell your existing provider that you wish to end the service - usually having to give about one month's notice.

What if I use a pre-payment meter?

You too can also change suppliers. People using pre-payment are often on low fixed incomes and could really benefit from moving to a less expensive provider, Energywatch says. But despite this, industry figures suggest that just over a third of pre-payment gas users and four out of 10 electricity customers have changed supplier. This compares with more than half of those who pay by direct debit and monthly bills. How much can I save by switching This depends on how much you are currently paying and on your personal circumstances - for example where you live and your level of usage. Firms often offer discounts if you buy both gas and electricity from them. But the industry regulator Ofgem has said that households changing their supplier for the first time can save an average of £100 per year.

Besides switching supplier, how else can I reduce my energy bills?

Changing your method of payment is one way that you may be able to save money. If you can afford to pay by direct debit rather than by cash or cheque, this typically can knock about £40 off your annual bill. But you should regularly send meter readings to your energy company to ensure that they are taking the right amount of money each month. The other key thing to think about is reducing the amount of energy you use, for more advice please see the following blog posts.

Winter Warming Tips
10 Things to Reduce Energy Use
Cavity Wall Insulation Grants
General Energy Saving Tips