Buying your energy
The way you buy your energy can have a significant impact on the price you pay. You may be able to save money on your fuel bills by changing tariff, changing fuel supplier or by joining the HelpCo Eco Club. You may also be eligible for a range of free services all gas and electricity suppliers provide through the Priority Services Register.
Changing your fuel supplier
The UK energy industry was deregulated during the 1990s to make it more competitive. This means it is possible to choose your own gas and electricity supplier. Changing your fuel supplier is likely to save you money on your fuel bills, particularly if you have never changed suppliers before or if different companies supply your gas and electricity.
For free, impartial advice on how to change fuel supplier and which supplier to choose, contact Energywatch, the independent watchdog for the gas and electricity industry.
HelpCo Eco Club
Lambeth and HelpCo, a not-for-profit company, have set up the HelpCo Eco Club to help residents save more money on their fuel bills. It's free to join the club, you just need to send HelpCo at least four meter readings a year. If you join the club and send in your meter readings, you'll receive:
- monthly updates on your fuel consumption, including seasonal advice on ways to reduce your fuel bills and a comparison of your energy use compared to a target set for your property type
- access to a telephone advice line (0845 450 0393) to answer queries on gas and electricity supply, fuel bills and saving energy
- information on any discounts available to install energy saving measures
- a history of meter readings, which HelpCo can send to your feul supplier, if you wish, to prevent inaccurate estimated bills.
Studies show that you can save up to 10% on your fuel bills if you monitor your energy use and reduce wastage. HelpCo can help you do this. As the average fuel bill is £992, just think of the money you could save by joining the Eco Club.
For more information, please contact HelpCo
Selecting the right tariff for you
Some payment methods are cheaper than others. It is usually cheaper to pay by monthly direct debit than on a quarterly or annual basis or by prepayment meter. Some fuel suppliers offer special low cost tariffs, called social tariffs, for low-income households.
For more information, visit the Energywatch website. The website has a free information sheet, 'How to pay less for your energy: a guide for gas and electricity consumers', which explains payment options.
Join the Priority Services Register
If one or more of the following applies to you:
- of pensionable age
- have a disability
- have long-term ill health
- are blind or visually-impaired
Then you can choose from a range of free services, which every gas and electricity supplier is obliged to provide under a scheme called the Priority Services Register.
The free services available include:
- password protection scheme: You agree a unique password with your gas and electricity supplier that will be used when their staff visit your home so that you'll be protected from bogus callers
- moving meters: If it is difficult for you to read your meters, your supplier may move them to a more convenient location
- meter reading: If no one in your household is able to read your meters, your supplier will arrange for your meter to be read every quarter. This will prevent you receiving inaccurate estimated bills
- free gas safety check: If all adults in your household are eligible for the Priority Services Register, you're entitled to a free annual gas safety check
- special help if your gas supply is disrupted: If all adults in your household are eligible for the Priority Services Register, your gas supplier will provide you with alternative cooking and heating facilities
- advance notice if your electricity supply has to be interrupted: You can receive advanced notice if you rely on electricity to power vital medical equipment
- special controls and adaptors: Your supplier can provide and fit these to help make appliances easier to use
- bill nominee scheme: You can have a copy of your bills sent to a relative, friend or carer
- services for visually impaired or hearing impaired consumers: Your supplier can provide meter readings and bills in a suitable format
So don't miss out on the services you're entitled to. Contact Energywatch who will sign you up.
Green electricity
'Green electricity' is electricity generated from renewable sources (such as wind power). The electricity company ensures that for every unit of electricity you use, the same amount of green electricity is generated.
Green electricity is one of two types of Green Tariff offered by electricity suppliers. (The other is a Green Fund, where the electricity company takes the extra that you pay on your bill and invests the money into new renewable energy projects. However, you yourself will not be buying electricity generated from renewable sources.)
Green electricity is not much more expensive than your regular electricity supply.
Changing your electricity supplier to one that sells electricity from renewable sources means you are helping combat climate change. By buying renewable or green electricity you will save on average 6% of your household's CO2 emissions.
For information about green electricity tariffs, visit the Green Electricity Market.