Consumer Data Shows Increased Complaints About Energy Companies

December 18th, 2011 by Mark | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Data compiled from consumer watchdogs Consumer Focus, Consumer Direct and the Energy Ombudsman show that complaints about the UK’s ‘big six’ energy providers increased a great deal during the last quarter of this year.
Covering July to September 2011, the figures show that complaints to five of the six largest energy suppliers increased, the only exception being Scottish Power. When compared with data from the same period last year, complaints about EDF Energy have soared to ninety-six percent higher, a startling figure. Consumer Focus operates a complaint-based league table, usually awarding stars to companies depending on the amount of complaints they have received. By receiving one hundred and fifty complaints or more per hundred thousand customers, EDF have the privilege of becoming the first major energy supplier to receive a no-star rating in the league table.
Also losing stars were Npower, who slipped to a two star rating, and E.ON, who fell to three stars. The director of external affairs at Consumer Focus, Adam Scorer, noted: “It is disappointing, but perhaps not surprising, that complaints on energy issues have risen at a time when energy bills are increasing.”
All six of the largest energy providers; E.ON, EDF, SSE, British Gas, Npower, and Scottish Power announced increased rates this year. These increased prices, combined with a rise in the cost of home cover policies like heating insurance means that customers are more likely to complain when they encounter an issue with their service.
This is not a good time for energy suppliers, as they have also come under fire recently from regulatory body Ofgem, who accused them of making company electricity prices too high for existing customers, who are often forced onto higher rates when they renew contracts. They recommended implementing more fixed price energy rates for businesses, as well as seeking more power to punish energy companies that do not adhere to their guidelines.
The issue that customers complained about the most was back billing, where a supplier increases a customer’s bill due to undercharging them in previous months. The area that saw the biggest increase in complaints was communications, mainly centred on suppliers being unreachable over the phone. EDF received over ninety percent of these complaints.
EDF claim that they are in the process of implementing a new billing system and has been since the beginning of the year, which may account for some of the issues customers have had regarding their billing or contacting the company. In a statement, they declared that: “Despite careful planning and the recruitment of over 700 additional customer service staff to protect our service levels to customers through the transition, our customer services operated to a lower standard between May and September. In particular, answering calls to our customer service agents took longer than expected.”
This will provide little comfort to those who have experienced difficulties with the company in recent months. It will be interesting to see whether EDF stay on a no-star rating when the next batch of figures are released.

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Should we have boiler insurance?

September 25th, 2011 by Mark | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

As winter approaches the adverts for boiler maintenance policies are appearing ever more frequently in the media, it is something that might be seen as an additional expense but if you are one of the unlucky thousands that has a boiler malfunction on the coldest day of the year then you will be glad you were prescient enough to have bought a policy earlier in the year. There are large costs associated with replacing a boiler and even getting one repaired can often be an expensive affair so the question is then – Should we have boiler insurance?

Despite the fact that we are still officially enjoying British summer time, the signs of autumn are already appearing, and with this in mind our thoughts turn to keeping warm in the autumn and winter months. Of course, this means you have to give your heating system some thought, and you are bound to ask yourself the question as to whether or not your system is going to be able to get you through the winter months. The natural thought beyond this of course is whether or not it would benefit you to have boiler insurance in place.

There’s no doubting that having a heating system that is less than reliable is one of the most frustrating things to have to endure, and anyone who has woken up on a chilly morning to discover that the shower is pouring out cold water will testify to this. You really do have to think carefully about the state of your heating system at this time of year, and if you have any misgivings about its performance it really will benefit you to have some sort of insurance policy in place. Having said this, there are some people who would argue that with the very real possibility of not claiming, is it really worth paying out for insurance? With this in mind, here are some great reasons why you should consider getting boiler insurance:

Some insurance policies will cover not only your boiler and its controls but also blocked drains, burst water pipes, electrical failures and lost keys, so it really does give you more benefits than you might realise. If you are not covered and you have to call someone out, you will be subject to some incredible call out costs – even before you have had to buy parts or pay for labour. Some policies will pay out a cash payment if your boiler fails, which can obviously help enormously if you have to buy a new boiler – something that can cost hundreds if not thousands of pounds. These are all good reasons to buy a new boiler policy, and with energy prices on the increase all the time, the last thing you need is to be landed with a hefty bill for your boiler breakdown. An insurance policy will negate the possibility of this happening.

If you are particularly concerned about the cost of your electricity this winter, there are a few ways to deal with the situation. Firstly an insurance policy is going to help in most cases, and another thing you can do is to find a deal with an energy supplier to provide you with fixed price energy deals. This of course protects you against increasing energy costs for a particular amount of time, depending on the contract you sign. Of course, you may pay slightly over the odds initially for this sort of contract, but if prices rise significantly, it is not something that will affect you.

All of these things are worth considering as we march into the winter months. Take heed now or pay the price later on.

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How to Save Money This Winter? – Compare Energy Prices!

December 24th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

With global financial uncertainty and spiralling energy cost sending chills down the spine all summer, many people are taking any steps they can to ensure that the lights and the heating stay on and that the energy budget is affordable. There have been big headlines and most energy providers have been offering fixed price enregy tariffs and capped energy deals. But, are these deals all they’ve cracked up to be and are they the best means of getting the best energy prices?
 
As usual, the story is always somewhat more complex than first meets the eye. In the middle of summer a barrel of oil would have cost $144 whereas now you can expect to pay around $60 a barrel. Whilst the oil producers are trying to keep prices artificially high by limiting production serious work is being done by lobbyists and government officials alike as they try and avoid the potential crisis of energy shortages/poverty.
 

Fixed Price Energy


 

In July fixed and capped tariffs were the big news and certainly pushed abutton with many consumers worried about the winter ahead. Though most providers will not pass on a reduction in energy cost to consumers if you have signed up for a fixed tariff. Although contractually bound it is still possible to leave a fixed tariff by paying the cancellation fee (normally between £20-50), it has never been more worthwhile to compare energy prices as the difference in unit cost for a fixed tariff and the newly reduced variable package may quickly swallow the cancellation fee if the difference is that great or your usage is high.
 
It is also worth investigating the discounts that are avilable if you go paperless and deal with your energy supplier online or by direct debit. Though the last word should always be conservation not consumption. Any pound spent on insulation will pay itself back many times over as compared to pounds spent heating your home, and the government now has many schemes available to help households improve their insulation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Fixed Price Energy Explained-

November 12th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

 
Global warming, global fuel shortages, global uncertainty, global price rises. When we look at the news the picture is rarely rosy. With prices soaring by up to 35% most people will be looking to reduce or limit their expenditure on energy as winter creeps ever closer- while still keeping warm.
 
Fixed price energy tariffs are one way for consumers to save but do they offer the value you hope for and what about the small print?
 
A fixed price tariff is a plan many of the energy providers are offering to attract new customers and in troubled times, keep existing customers. The advantage to the consumer is stability and the ability to plan the energy budget for the period of the contract. Many of the providers offer one or two year contracts but British gas are offering a tariff that runs until January 2012!
 
As the providers will be competing for our custom it is in the consumers interests to compare gas and electricity prices as there are sure to be savings for the canny shopper. Though don’t just compare the price, two considerations may sway you between providers. Be sure of the term the contract covers, if you get the dates wrong you may fall foul of penalty charges reducing the value of the deal. Also, some providers may drop the fixed price if there is a reduction in bulk prices worldwide, other providers will hold you to your contractual obligation. Know for sure before you sign on the bottom line.
 
So, while the offer is there, seek out the best deal and compare the competition. If using a comparison site use one like www.energychoices.co.uk unlike some sites it is regularly updated not only with the latest deals, but also articles that explain the jargon and resources that use facts like your postcode, budget and consumption to ensure you get the best value.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Compare Energy Prices

November 11th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

There are many energy providers in the UK and they vary in terms of cost, coverage and services. The market is dominated by the largest companies but the smaller providers have their niche. Given the credit crunch and the ever increasing cost of energy or if you are just moving home it is well worth comparing the companies, their costs and the deals they have on offer. Aside from the smaller and usually more local companies the main providers in Britain are British Gas, Scottish Power and NPower.
 
First of all, find out what your options are in your area. The easiest way would be to use a website like energychoices.co.uk they provide energy switching and comparison services for gas and electricity (and indeed both together), The site will let you perform your search based on your postcode then you can compare energy prices and options.
 
British Gas is is one of the largest power companies in the UK and can be one of the cheapest. It is available throughout England, Scotland and Wales, though trades as Scottish Gas in Scotland. They are now providers of both gas and electricity and are keen to offer discounts if you become a dual fuel customer and also if you sign up online, they quote potential savings of £122 if you follow this route. British Gas also provide a fairly comprehensive range of ancillary services such as boiler and central heating instalation, maintenance and repairs and even boiler insurance. Given the cost of a boiler and a gas certified plumber this is one service worth investigating as one call out and the cost of repair will exceed the cost of several years insurance. They also offer a market tracker tariff that follows the wholesale cost of gas on a quarterly basis though in the current climate it seems that energy prices are set to steadily rise.
 
NPower is another big player supplying 6.8 million customers in the UK it is an amalgamation of several smaller UK energy companies and and is jointly owned with RWE a German energy supplier. It has three tariffs standard, fixed and NPower juice. The fixed tariff caps the unit cost of power for a contractually agreed period (one or two years common) and NPower Juice is a tariff that allows it’s users to derive part of their consumption from green and sustainable sources, a factor that will both draw in new customers and the increased investment should help bolster green research and uptake.
 
Scottish Power is somewhat smaller than NPower but with 5.2 million customers across the UK it is certainly a major player. It offers a much broader range of tariffs including a fixed price energy deal (until 2009), a green/sustainable tariff and the Economy & tariff all available in different variations. After a 2006 price increase, Scottish power has recently reduced electricity prices 6% and gas prices by 16.5%.
 
As the providers are vying for our custom they are all keen to stress that when you switch, the power remains on. Unless you are in breach of contractual terms the switch is usually free. Though, given the variety of providers, offers and regional differences in availability, careful research is required to ensure you get the best value. Undoubtably, the most effective and time-smart way to do your research is by using a comparisson site, if you ensure the site is accredited and regularly updated all the information should be readily at your fingertips and the options to save highlighted.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Fixed Price Energy Explained

October 22nd, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Energy bills continue rise, extreme market volatility and credit crises are compounding the problem. With British gas increasing prices by 35%(!) and electricity prices approaching 10% it is unsurprising that consumers are looking for the best prices and budget stability. Responding to consumer demand, most of the leading suppliers are offering capped and fixed price tariffs. This guarantees the unit cost of your electricity- usually for a period of one or two years, though British Gas has just announced a fixed price tariff that runs until 2012.
 
Although the deals are pretty transparent, you should be certain exactly when the deal starts and finishes, this can prevent any unwarranted surprises, cancellation charges or penalties. It is also worth noting that some suppliers of fixed price tariffs will reduce the unit price if there is a reduction in the global energy price, other suppliers will consider a fixed price to be just that. Check this before you sign on the dotted line. The primary benefit from switching to a fixed plan is the budgetary stability it offers for the agreement period. Given the belt-tightening going on across the world, a little certainty is always desirable.
 
As British Gas and EDF have just posted price rises, you can be sure the competition will follow, the fixed price deals will change and may not be available indefinitely. The best advice would be to compare online, see all the deals side by side and choose the best package. Be sure to use a site that allows you to search based on your postcode so you don’t choose a deals that isn’t available in your area.
 
It is worth noting that it’s not just British Gas and EDF energy that have increased their prices; you can be sure all other major energy suppliers will be following in the coming weeks. So it would seem that now is a better time than any to check the deals on fixed price energy that are available in your area. One such site is www.energychoices.co.uk, not only can you search by postcode, but the site is updated constantly so the latest deals are listed, they also host a number of articles to help you avoid the smallprint and the common pitfalls.
 
 
 
 

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Compare Energy Prices To Help Beat The Credit Crunch

October 5th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

Energy bills are soaring, so now customers are looking for ways to save money with their household energy bills.
 
This is not surprising as with all the news on the horizon about adverse geopolitical situations and the soaring commodity market, what with British Gas prices recently rising by 35%, and Electricity prices rising by 9%!
 
Fixed price energy tariffs are one way that consumers can save money on their bills.
 
The good thing about Fixed Price tariffs is that you know where you are for the agreed term of the contract and can plan accordingly with no price increases above and beyond the agreed amounts. More often than not, this period is 1 to 2 yrs.
 
In the present climate of high energy prices, these deals are certainly more enticing and affordable.
 
When you are considering these types of agreements then there are two basic points to consider.
 
1. At all times understand where and when the agreement both starts and ends and the possibility of price increases after termination of the agreement.
 
2. Some suppliers of fixed price energy deals may reduce your capped Unit price if there is a drop in their standard prices, whereas other providers may not do this. -Make sure you know which is the case with your energy provider!
 
The main benefit of fixed price tariffs is being able to accurately forecast your charges and costs well in advance.
 
This has become more and more vital as the price hikes have taken effect. It is worth noting that it’s not just British Gas that are having to increase their gas prices. EDF Energy are also increasing their prices, as are many other energy providers.
 
So it would seem that now is a better time than any to check the deals on fixed price energy that are available in your area. It has to a bit of a no brainer really to use the various online price comparison sites to help you with your research to get the most favourable options available to you.
 

 
Where possible, use a website that has the ability to compare energy prices via the use of a post code to help you get a more accurate idea of what is applicable and available to your area.
 
One such site is www.energychoices.co.uk. Unlike some comparison sites, energychoices has a high amount of frequently updated information about the latest twists and turns in the energy market, thus being a one stop shop’ consumers can go visit to find out how they can get the best deals in this turbulent climate.
 
 
 
 
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As Energy Prices Rise… Compare energy prices, and look for fixed price deals

September 4th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

energy-prices
 
Energy bills are soaring, so now customers are looking for ways to save money with their household energy bills.
 
This is not surprising as with all the news on the horizon about adverse geopolitical situations and the soaring commodity market, what with British Gas prices recently rising by 35%, and Electricity prices rising by 9%!
 

Fixed Price Energy

Fixed price energy tariffs are one way that consumers can save money on their bills.
 
The good thing about Fixed Price tariffs is that you know where you are for the agreed term of the contract and can plan accordingly with no price increases above and beyond the agreed amounts. More often than not, this period is 1 to 2 yrs.
 
In the present climate of high energy prices , these deals are certainly more enticing and affordable.
 
When you are considering these types of agreements then there are two basic points to consider.
 
1. At all times understand where and when the agreement both starts and ends and the possibility of price increases after termination of the agreement.
 
2. Some suppliers of fixed price energy deals may reduce your capped Unit price if there is a drop in their standard prices, whereas other providers may not do this. -Make sure you know which is the case with your energy provider!
 
The main benefit of fixed price tariffs is being able to accurately forecast your charges and costs well in advance.
 
This has become more and more vital as the price hikes have taken effect. It is worth noting that it’s not just British Gas that are having to increase their gas prices. EDF Energy are also increasing their prices, as are many other energy providers.
 
So it would seem that now is a better time than any to check the deals on fixed price energy that are available in your area. It has to a bit of a no brainer really to use the various online price comparison sites to help you with your research to get the most favourable options available to you.
 
Where possible use a website that has the ability to drill down data via the use of a post code to help you get a more accurate idea of what is applicable and available to your area.
 
One such site is www.energychoices.co.uk. Unlike some comparison sites, energychoices has a high amount of frequently updated information about the latest twists and turns in the energy market, thus being a one stop shop’ consumers can go visit to find out how they can get the best deals in this turbulent climate.
 
 
 

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Fixed Price Energy Deals – Can They Save You Serious Money?

August 25th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Press Releases

With energy bills soaring the way they are, many people are looking to save on their household bills. Many people have been hit by British Gas raising their prices by 35%, and its Electricity prices by 9%!
 
One way for consumers to save on their bills is with fixed price energy tariffs. With fixed price energy deals the unit price is fixed, and will not raise above the agreed price for the agreed period.
 
Usually the fixed period is either 1 or 2 yrs.
 

Fixed price Energy


 
The rise of energy prices in recent times has made fixed price deals much more appealing to the average energy customer.
 

Things To Be Aware Of With Fixed Price Energy Deals


 
There are 2 important points to consider when trying to compare fixed price energy deals.

 
1. With some energy suppliers, if there is a general drop in their standard energy unit prices, they will reduce your fixed rate for you. Others may not, so make sure you know what the deal is with the companies you are considering going with.
 
2. Make sure you completely understand when the fixed rate deal ends, because you may need to prepare yourself for a bit of a price hike when it does!
 
 
One of the main benefits of fixed price energy deals is knowing exactly how much you will be charged for a unit of energy for the next year or so, which allows you to plan your finances much better.
 
Of course, it is not just British Gas or EDF energy that have recently increased their prices… Pretty much all of the major suppliers of energy will be doing the same in the up coming weeks.
 
It seems that their has never been a better time to go for a fixed price energy deal.
 

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