Bills of Electricity and gas: Time to switch energy supplier

Bills of Electricity and gas: Time to switch energy supplier

Getting a new flat rate before the start of winter could save you £ 290 a year.

Experts agree: the time has come to enter a new fixed price for gas and electricity in time for the start of large central heating, in order to protect themselves from the sharp price increases that seem to be heading towards we.

Uncertainty in the Middle East, concerns over French nuclear supplies, restrictions on gas from Russia - and, dare we mention it, Brexit - undoubtedly contribute to a situation where those who are free to switch energy supplier should probably do it now.

Cornwall Insight chief energy monitor Craig Lowrey warned consumers on Monday that prices were starting to rise

An increase in oil prices is likely to result in a corresponding increase in gas and electricity prices, which will be reflected in higher prices for customers in the future, while existing prices at fixed prices and fixed-term could also be withdrawn, "he said. 

The prospect of a spike in oil-driven commodity prices adds to the likelihood that the market will increase, fueling higher bills for customers at some point.

His forecasts were immediately confirmed, as EDF reached a superior agreement later today, which means that the time has come to act.

An average household will spend around £ 1,170 next year if it is currently subject to a standard flat rate for gas and electricity with one of the six main suppliers.

However, the rates that set your gas and electricity prices for the next 12 months are currently available at £ 879 per year - a saving of £ 291 per year. Larger households could save even more by changing. So where should you take your energy business? After Eversmart Energy became the last in a long line of suppliers to close down this month, we are now giving discounts to companies that are new entrants or have poor customer service records.

Avro Energy seems to have the exceptional flat rate: its Simple and SuperSave offer costs a little more than the cheapest rate, at £ 891 per year, but protects buyers against future price increases.

The company has been around for a while and is ranked in the middle of the table by Which? for customer service. Above all, prices are fixed for 12 months and there is no exit charge, which means you can opt out at any time in the unlikely event of a further price drop. Grab it soon, because it may not be around forever.

If you want a 100% green energy supplier that has the added benefit of being a name, British Gas's Energy Plus Protection Green Oct 2020 rate is right for you. At £ 983 a year, it's a bit more expensive, but offers 100% renewable electricity and 100% carbon-offset gas.

Above all, prices are fixed until the end of October 2020. Please note, buyers benefit from free central heating insurance for one year, which will be automatically renewed if you do not cancel it at the end of the period.

MoneySavingExpert has a good ecological deal with Pure Planet (£ 890 per year after cashback) but the prices are indexed to wholesale costs, with all the risks that this entails.

I propose a flat price quote to make sure you won't be affected by price increases," said Mark Todd, who runs the Energyhelpline.com switching website. One advantage of the fall change is that most energy accounts tend to be credited at this time of year, since usage is lowest in the summer.

So, in addition to saving a few hundred pounds thanks to the change, you will likely get a big refund from your current supplier - often between £ 200 and £ 300. Energy is the easiest big bill to change and can be done in minutes.

To find the right deal for your household, do a full market comparison on Energyhelpline.com. Ideally, enter usage figures from your previous year to produce accurate results. You can opt for green or fixed offers and follow the link to change providers.