Rising energy prices- Are you paying too much
Since 2003 energy prices in the UK for gas and electricity have been on the rise- rapidly. During the winter of 2004/05 Ofgem estimated UK consumers paid £5.2million more on gas and electricity bills than they did the previous year. Roll the tape forward to 2006 and the increases just keep coming.
Price rises announced - January 2004 to date
Source: Simply Switch
Recent Updates
24th May 2006 Scottish Power has warned further energy price rises are unavoidable. Be on the lookout for the nation's 5th largest energy supplier passing on further price rises.
24th July 2006 EDF Energy announces record energy price rises. 19% increase in gas prices and 8% for electricity from 31st July 2006. This is the fourth increase in gas prices, totalling 70%, by EDF Energy since 2005 .
27th July 2006 British Gas announces gas bills will rise by 12.4% and electricity bills by 9.4% from September. This will add £78 to the average annual BG gas bill bringing it to £707 and £37 to the average annual electricity bill bringing it to £428.
17th August 2006 Powergen announces further price rises starting 21st August. Gas is up by 18.4% and electricity has risen by 9.7%. According to Powergen the latest hikes are blamed on the rising wholesale cost of gas which it said had climbed 87% since the start of 2005.
7th September 2006 Npower, the 3rd largest domestic energy supplier in the United Kingdom has announced its third price increase for customers in 2006. Commencing 1st October 2006, customers will see gas bills increase by 17.2% and electricity by 9.9%. This will add £131 to an average household energy bill.
29th September 2006 Scottish and Southern has announced an increase in bills for its seven million domestic users. Customers will face a 12.2% rise in gas bills, while electricity prices will go up by 9.4% from 1 January, 2007. This news follows the company's promise not to raise prices again during 2006.
24th May 2006 Scottish Power has warned further energy price rises are unavoidable. Be on the lookout for the nation's 5th largest energy supplier passing on further price rises.
24th July 2006 EDF Energy announces record energy price rises. 19% increase in gas prices and 8% for electricity from 31st July 2006. This is the fourth increase in gas prices, totalling 70%, by EDF Energy since 2005 .
27th July 2006 British Gas announces gas bills will rise by 12.4% and electricity bills by 9.4% from September. This will add £78 to the average annual BG gas bill bringing it to £707 and £37 to the average annual electricity bill bringing it to £428.
17th August 2006 Powergen announces further price rises starting 21st August. Gas is up by 18.4% and electricity has risen by 9.7%. According to Powergen the latest hikes are blamed on the rising wholesale cost of gas which it said had climbed 87% since the start of 2005.
7th September 2006 Npower, the 3rd largest domestic energy supplier in the United Kingdom has announced its third price increase for customers in 2006. Commencing 1st October 2006, customers will see gas bills increase by 17.2% and electricity by 9.9%. This will add £131 to an average household energy bill.
29th September 2006 Scottish and Southern has announced an increase in bills for its seven million domestic users. Customers will face a 12.2% rise in gas bills, while electricity prices will go up by 9.4% from 1 January, 2007. This news follows the company's promise not to raise prices again during 2006.
To make sure you're getting the best price possible we recommend you compare your current energy bills with suppliers regularly - about once every 12 -18 months. If you're wondering how, well it's never been easier. Using the internet you can quickly check a variety of gas and electricity suppliers in seconds for the cheapest energy prices. Plus if you are one of the 13 millions households in the UK that has never switched you could save up to £300 a year.
We've compiled a list of FREE to use comparison websites you can visit to make sure you're getting the best deal.
So what are comparison websites?
Simply comparison websites are online brokers. They are generally free and impartial services that evaluate energy suppliers by helping people take advantage of the best prices available. In the past you had to ring a broker or spend hours finding the best deals. Now the internet can complete this task for you in seconds.
In case you we're wondering how these comparison websites make money. Each lead a comparison site passes on to an energy supplier they are paid £20+. This means they are able to provide the service to you free, and you can find the best deal for your needs.
Just click on the names in red and you will find out how much money you can save on energy bills.
Energy Helpline will help you save up to £300 on your gas and electricity bills. They will also pay you £15 cash back for every utility you switch.
Simply Switch provides free, impartial comparisons on electricity and gas prices. Enter some basic details and you will be saving £££'s.
E.ON Staywarm has been specifically designed for senior citizens. If you're over 60 you can enjoy fixed prices for over 12 months. The price is calculated on the number of rooms and people living in the house - rather than how much energy you use.
Still not sure?
If you're still thinking it's too hard, it's not. All you have to do is use these services which are FREE and you will be saving money. Your new energy supplier will take care of the switch so the only differences you will notice are the change in company name on your billing statements and the great savings.
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