Energy Switching Reaches Four-year High

• November 30, 2016|
• News|
• Darren Clarke

Once you have the best double glazing Manchester has to offer you can rest assured that you will save some money on your bills as your home will be better insulated.

You could also be in for some improved energy savings if you switch who your provider is, as many other people are doing at the moment.

A sign of significant competition in the market annual switching rate reached 14.9 per cent for gas and 14.8 per cent for electricity for the previous 12 months in September, which is the highest figure since February 2012.

It is thought that many people are switching to fixed rate tariffs as they expect energy prices to rise, either as a result of economic uncertainty following Brexit, or as a result of the recent decision to build Hinkley Point.

Many people bought fixed tariff deals and now these are running out it is thought that many people are switching as they are being switched to more expensive tariffs than they were on before.

Most fixed-price tariffs include exit penalties, so people are switching in the penalty-free period just before their tariff ends.

Despite this it is thought that over two thirds of households are on the most expensive tariff.

Reduce your bills with energy saving techniques

Get double glazing installed – as you probably already know double glazing can provide superior insulation in many homes. On top of reducing your bills, it may also reduce noise pollution if you live on a busy road or in a noisy area. Double glazing will be of particular help if you live in a draughty old house where there is a need to replace windows, and is one of the few upgrades you can add to older houses to improve their energy efficiency.

Turn down your thermostat

Two thirds of energy use in the UK is used for heating so any savings that can be made here are likely to be valuable ones.

• Try lowering your thermostat setting by one degree and see how you go. If on occasion you feel cold just bump it up.
• Time your heating sensibly. You don’t need a warm house when you’re sleeping or when you are at work. Time heating so the house is warm when you wake up or when you get in from work.
• Heat rooms differently. You may not need to heat your kitchen as much as your bed room or living room and you can control this by using radiator valves or even by putting foil behind radiators in rooms you want to be warm, to reflect and increase the heat in them.

Heat with a cheap energy source

Often people experiencing fuel poverty in the UK will use electric heaters. This is the worst possible solution as electricity is up to four times more expensive a fuel source for heating. If possible use a standard gas heating system which is cheaper than using alternative fuel sources such as biomass or wood as well.