How can I save on my energy bill?

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/feb/18/how-save-energy-bill

Version 0 of 1.

Could you save yourself more than £200 a year by switching supplier? According to a report from the Competition and Markets Authority on 18 February, 95% of the customers of the big six energy suppliers could save that much by switching tariff and/or supplier. Yet relatively few people bother to switch. About 40% of British Gas customers have been served by the company for more than 10 years, according to the CMA and, for electricity, around 50% of customers have been with their supplier for more than a decade.

Related: Big six energy firms overcharging customers by up to £234 a year

Why are people not switching?

According to the CMA report around a third of people had never considered switching or thought it was not possible. The primary stated reasons were that switching is a hassle, that there are no real differences between suppliers and that something may go wrong if they switch.

What are the potential savings?

The majority of people who gave the answers above were, according to the CMA, aged 65 and over; in social accommodation; those with no qualifications; or on lower incomes. They were people who were less likely to own their own home and less likely to have internet access.

It is these groups that could benefit from the biggest savings, according to the CMA’s number crunching, as these are people more likely to be have been with their current supplier for more than a decade and be paying the highest prices on a standard variable tariff (SVT).

For someone in this position the savings could be more than £200. Switching to even the worst tariff, an SVT, with another supplier could save between £100 and £150 a year, according to the CMA.

How easy is it to switch?

Switching online is relatively easy, which is why more people are doing it. The proportion of domestic customers who used a price comparison website for switching, last time they switched supplier, has increased from around 16% in 2011 to around 31% in 2014, the CMA says.

However, if you are not on the internet or comfortable using it then such websites are of little use.

Many of the switching websites also allow you to switch by phone including uSwitch (0800 404 7908), MoneySuperMarket (0845 345 5708) or the Guardian’s own switching service (0800 634 3874).

You can also phone the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 040506. They will send you a factsheet with the deals available in your area.

Will you save money?

Without opening any bills an easy rule of thumb is if you have never switched or haven’t switched for a few years you will almost certainly save money. First call your supplier to see whether you can switch to one of its other tariffs.

If you want to switch suppliers without using a comparison service, your best bet is to go for one of the smaller, independent players. Recently most of the cheapest deals have come from the smaller suppliers like Ovo Energy, First Utility and Extra Energy, so if you’ve been with your supplier for a decade, chances are you’ll be better off moving to one of these.

Companies such as Ovo, Ecotricity, Ebico and Good Energy also beat the big six suppliers when it comes to customer service.

If you want to estimate how much you’ll save, the price comparison websites (either online or by phone) can do this if you provide details of your provider and annual or monthly usage. Either check your last bill or your last bank statement for how much you are paying, or call your supplier.

Even if you don’t switch now, it is worth keeping your eye out for your annual summary, which, since April last year, your energy provider is obliged to send you each year. It contains the key facts about your tariff, your energy use over the previous 12 months, and an estimate of your likely costs over the next 12 months. It will also tell you how much you could save by changing to another tariff with your current supplier.

Is switching a nightmare?

It shouldn’t be – but things can go wrong. To minimise problems make sure you give your old supplier your final meter reading to ensure an accurate final bill and make sure you pay this bill.

You shouldn’t notice any difference in service and no one should need to come round to do any work on your meter or pipes.

If problems do arise you need to complain to your supplier and, if you receive no resolution after eight weeks, take your case to the Energy Ombudsman.