Gas and electricity prices fall, time to switch?

All the main energy suppliers have cut their prices in recent months, so this summer's the time to consider switching, says the consumer champion's free independent service Which? Switch.

For those people who have been waiting for all the companies to reduce their prices before they switch, the opportunity has arrived.

The cuts to electricity and gas bills do not compare to the price increases that took place last summer, though, when, on average, gas bills rose by 28.7% and electricity bills by 14%.

People often think they won't save enough to justify switching, but Brian Page found that he was more than £1,000 better off. He decided to reassess his energy supplier after his monthly instalments rose several times to £300 a month. Brian, 73, who lives with his wife in Banchory in Kincardinshire, Scotland, said: "I kept on getting letters from my old supplier saying that my bills were going up. I couldn't understand it since my wife and I weren't doing anything differently. Switching was a quick and easy way to make a big difference."

There are also savings to be made by changing tariffs with the same provider. Simple steps, like paying by direct debit, on a monthly basis or through an online account, can have a big impact on bills.

Alison Morrison, Which? Switch, says: "Now that all of the major energy companies have cut their prices, this could be a great opportunity to switch suppliers or tariffs. It seems strange to think about your heating bills in summer, but this is a decision that could benefit customers all year round."

Customers who are considering their energy bills can assess the options available with Which? Switch at which.co.uk/switch and for the month of August, those who decide to switch, could win their quoted annual energy savings. People that changed supplier or tariff using Which? Switch saved £257 on average.