npower reignites energy price war with two new tariffs

Gareth Kloet, head of utilities at Confused.com, comments on npower's Sign Online v16 and Web 16 tariffs: "npower has become the first energy company to challenge British Gas's reign at the top of the energy best-buy tables, with the launch of its new Sign Online v16 and Web 16 tariffs.

"The Web 16 tariff - aimed at families which use more energy than the average customer - is the cheapest on the market, in terms of national average. Sign Online v16 is just as competitive for households which use less energy than the average consumer.

"While neither tariff stands heads and shoulders above British Gas's Websaver 3 tracker tariff, npower wins points by not penalising customers with exit fees, should they decide to swap onto a different tariff in the future.

"These latest competitive tariffs from npower could be the battle-cry needed for the price war to hot up again over the summer. It is the clearest indication for months that the energy war, which slowed down over the spring, will be reignited which can only be good news for consumers who suffered energy price rises of a whopping 42% last year.

"If npower has kick-started a frenzy of price cuts over the next couple of months, it will be more important than ever to shop around for the most suitable deal on the market. In fact, the average customer who switched energy providers or tariffs with Confused.com saves a whopping £252.37."