Battle heats up between small energy suppliers and big six as temperatures drop

Following months of deals by smaller energy providers undercutting the big six, there are signs of a fight back from the UK’s larger energy companies, according to uSwitch.com, the price comparison and switching service.

The launch of SSE’s ‘SSE Direct’ tariff means that big six companies now occupy five out of ten spots in the best buy tables. Sainsbury’s Energy, powered by British Gas, comes fifth in the tables with a fixed deal of £1,099 until October 2015. SSE has reduced their cheapest tariff from £1,115 to £1,029 bringing them in at seventh place. EDF Energy, npower and ScottishPower fill eight, ninth and tenth spots, respectively.

While the coveted first place is still held by small supplier Extra Energy, with its ‘Fresh Fixed Price Nov 2015 v2’ tariff at £984, many of the big six suppliers have upped their game in the last month with better deals, long term fixed prices, and new tariffs bundled with free products to help customers save energy.

EDF Energy’s ‘Blue+Price Freeeeze’ tariff (£1,209) allows people to fix their bills until May 2018 – longer than any other on the market. Meanwhile, npower’s ‘Intelligent Control’ tariff (£1,169) offers households the opportunity to fix energy costs until October 2016 and comes with a free intelligent Nest thermostat, worth £249

Tom Lyon, energy expert at uSwitch.com, says: “Small suppliers have been leading the charge with the cheapest deals, so it’s great news for consumers that the big six are fighting back with better tariffs. These include ‘SSE Direct’, npower’s ‘Intelligent Control’ plan – which comes with a free intelligent Nest thermostat – and the longest term fixed plan on the market from EDF.

“Suppliers need to prove themselves both on price and service if they want to win customers so no company – big or small – can afford to rest on its laurels. Consumers are voting with their feet and are easily attracted by cheaper prices and the promise that their bills will be protected from future price rises.

“With winter approaching, consumers need to get themselves into gear and secure a better deal before the cold weather starts to bite. There is currently a £304 difference between the cheapest and the most expensive tariff on the market, so it is well worth the minutes it takes to shop around and see what the market has to offer.”