21 million Brits missing a trick on shopping for better energy bills
New research reveals Brit households shop around for everything in life, from holidays and insurance to gadgets and clothes - yet don’t place the same level of importance on shopping for their energy bills. Shockingly, almost half (43%) of Brits admit they don’t prioritise ‘energy shopping’ to find the best deal, despite the fact that it could save them precious pounds.
Previously, over half (53%) of baffled Brits said they have been confused by energy tariffs, and a third (33%) say their energy bills have been a concern. But not anymore - recent reforms have resulted in a simpler, clearer and fairer energy market which means finding a better deal has never been easier. What’s more, as part of the ‘Be An Energy Shopper’ campaign, an easy guide has been created - goenergyshopping.co.uk, to help cut through the confusion previously associated with comparing energy tariffs and in turn help people to start shopping around for their energy. The new website provides consumers with the know-how to check existing energy deals so they can get a better tariff.
The survey, commissioned to support the launch of ‘Be An Energy Shopper’ campaign, also reveals that the nation is currently overlooking the benefits of being an energy shopper with almost half (45%) of Brit bill payers saying they don’t feel they could save much money and one in four (24%) saying they thought shopping around for energy would be too much ‘hassle’.
Dermot Nolan, Chief Executive at Ofgem says, “We shop and compare prices for many things in life, yet we often don’t think to do the same when it comes to our energy bills, even when we could be saving around £200. Previously, people found it difficult to compare tariffs and the process too time consuming but the recent reforms have changed things for the better. With the introduction of ‘Be An Energy Shopper’ it has never been easier to go energy shopping and get a better deal on your gas and electricity.”
Secretary of State for Energy, at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey said: “Making the switch is easier than ever before, and the ‘Be an energy shopper’ campaign gives consumers practical advice on how to shop around and get the best deal for their energy use. Having made the switch myself, I would encourage anyone who hasn't already done so to check whether their current supplier is giving them the best deal - and if it isn’t, switch.
"We're working to make the energy market work better for consumers - we’ve trebled the number of suppliers since 2010, made people’s bills easier to understand, reduced the complexity of tariffs and promoted competition through initiatives such as collective switching. We want consumers to get the benefits of more competition.”
Konnie Huq, TV presenter and spokesperson for the ‘Be an energy shopper campaign’ adds: “As a wife and mother of two, it’s really important to me that I’m constantly getting value for money and energy is no exception to the rule. I personally love a good deal and this new website - goenergyshopping.co.uk – is an easy guide that will hopefully give people the confidence to get a better deal on their energy bills.”
Energy is the top item where brits feel they spend more than they would do, if they shopped around:
1: Energy (16%)
2: Weekly Groceries (13%)
3: Presents & Gifts (10%)
4: Broadband (10%)
5: Holidays and Breaks (10%)
...so why don't we go energy shopping?
Visit goenergyshopping.co.uk for an easy guide on how to shop around for a better energy deal.