Water
Utility companies confuse customers with bills
Consumers struggling with the rising cost of living could be losing out further because of the shocking quality of the household bills they receive, according to research from uSwitch.com.
Consumers overcharged by more than £6 billion on household bills
Cash-strapped consumers are being warned not to rely on companies getting their sums right after new research from uSwitch.com revealed an ‘epidemic' of overcharging on household bills in the last year.
Summer holidaymakers risk a return home to £3,300 water damage
With millions starting to think about escaping the British weather as summer beckons, NFU Mutual, the UK's leading rural insurer, is warning homeowners to take precautions to ensure their sunshine break doesn't turn out to be a damp squib.
Utility statements top the list of Britain's most baffling bills
Electricity bills top the list of the most baffling bills with 36 per cent of people saying that they found them difficult to understand, closely followed by gas bills (33 per cent) and water bills (16 per cent).
Unnecessary water pipe insurance costs consumers £100m
Which? has discovered that 10 of the UK's 12 biggest water companies are promoting potentially unnecessary supply pipe insurance, costing consumers more than £100m per year.
Top five tips to help save you money and water
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this week officially announced that the midlands and south east of England is in a state of drought, with reports that Britain is experiencing the worst ever water crisis in over thirty years.
Water bills set to rise by 5.7% or £20 a year on average
Ofwat's announcement today that the average water bill will rise by 5.7% to £20 in April will be a blow to consumers and will wring many tightened household budgets dry, warns uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.
Water saving tips for homeowners
Spiralling living costs mean many family budgets are now feeling the squeeze, so to help homeowners, Charlie Mullins, managing director of Pimlico Plumbers, is offering his top tips for reducing household water bills.
Save hot water, save energy, save money
Consumers are being encouraged this week to think about their use of hot water in economic and environmental terms as part of the fifteenth Energy Savings Week (24-28 October).
Cost of water damage to homes increases by 44%
Following news from the Association of British Insurers that escape of water in people's homes is costing £2 million every day, Allianz Insurance has released new data which reveals that in 2010, the amount paid by the insurer in domestic water damage claims jumped by 44.0% compared to the previous year.
Help beat bogus callers
The Consumer Council for Water is calling for consumers to be extra vigilant against distraction burglars or bogus callers, criminals who pretend to be from a utility company or other organisation to trick their way into a home and rob it.
Eco showerhead cuts hot water bills by up to 40%
Ecocamel has launched JetStorm – the most advanced eco showerhead on the market set to save UK households hundreds of thousands of pounds on hot water bills while cutting water, energy and carbon use.
Support is available for water bills
The due date for paying water bills is fast approaching but there is support available for those struggling to make the payments, says water watchdog the Consumer Council for Water.
Plans to help households with water bills
Water bills will be cut for the most vulnerable households under plans announced by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman today.
How to cut your water bill
Following the recent announcement of increases to water bills in England and Wales, the Consumer Council for Water has some top tips that could help some customers ensure that they are getting best value for money, and in some cases cut their annual water and sewerage charges.