Switch to green energy? We wood

Green is the new black, with more people now recycling and purchasing eco-friendly products. However, when it comes to switching to a green electricity provider people remain reluctant.

Research from moneysupermarket.com reveals that whilst two-thirds (64 per cent) of people have started recycling household waste in the past two years only four per cent have switched to a green electricity supplier.

With this in mind, moneysupermarket.com wants to encourage more people to go green and have pledged to plant a (Christmas) tree for every person who switches to a green electricity tariff in December.

Going green does not cost the earth and, as the table below shows, green fuel tariffs from the “big six” providers are particularly competitive. For example, a customer on British Gas could save £116 per year just by switching to the ‘green’ British Gas Click Energy tariff for their electricity – currently the best deal on the market. Alternatively, a British Gas customer switching to green-only provider Ecotricity could save £34.51 per year. Ecotricity also promise to match the standard price of your regional supplier.

Paul Schofield, head of utilities at moneysupermarket.com said: “Switching to a green energy provider is one of the easiest ways to become more environmentally friendly. In the past, green fuel has been the more expensive option, however, the series of price hikes from suppliers this year means all prices have been brought into line and, in some cases, green is now cheaper. There is no longer an excuse not to switch.

“It doesn’t cost anything to switch, and people can even save money. Green tariffs also allow consumers to give something back to the world while supporting a product which benefits the environment. By pledging to plant a tree moneysupermarket.com hopes to lead the way and encourage more people to take one step closer to becoming more environmentally friendly.”