13 June 2007
Despite the fact that all six of the major energy suppliers have now lowered their rates, just one in eight consumers are on the best energy tariff for them, according to research from the independent price comparison and switching website uSwitch.com.
In addition, a large number of customers are not even on the best tariff with their current energy supplier, with the best rates only offered to online customers. According to recent figures, standard plan customers are paying an average 132 per year more than new online customers.
Geoff Slaughter, Energy Expert at uSwitch.com, warned that many consumers were being lulled into a false sense of security by the price drops and major advertising campaigns released by all of the energy providers.
He stressed that the onus really was on the customer to make sure they're getting the best value for money, adding: "Good energy deals do not come to those who wait, they come to those who take."
Mr Slaughter continued, stating that many consumers were unnerved by the prospect of not receiving a regular bill with 45% of those questioned stating that as their main reason for not moving to an online tariff. However, he believed that the substantial savings to be made could persuade reluctant customers to switch.
"I'm sure that there is an online deal to suit most people and it would be great to see more consumers playing the suppliers at their own game and snapping up their best offer time and time again," he concluded.