More fixed energy deals ending this summer than ever before – as July bills are set to go up by £399
50 deals are set to end this summer compared to 33 in the same period last year[1]
14 popular fixed deals from eight suppliers are ending this month[2]
Households could see a bill hike of up to £399 – a whopping 51% – if they roll over to an expensive standard variable tariff[2]
There are more fixed energy plans ending this summer than ever before according to Uswitch.com, the price comparison and switching service[1]. Last summer 33 popular fixed-price plans ended but this summer that number has jumped to 50[1].
The fixed deals ending this summer will affect around half a million energy customers, a 66% rise on last summer[1]. More people than ever before could be caught out by being rolled onto a more expensive standard tariff as energy bills are not high up many households’ priority lists in the warmer weather.
Eight suppliers have 14 popular fixed deals expiring by the end of the month, after which their customers will be rolled onto expensive standard variable tariffs[2]. The average price increase for customers whose deals end in July is a huge £274 per year, but some customers risk price hikes of up to £399 – a staggering 51% rise[2].
If they take no action, the customers facing the biggest hikes are those with npower (£399), First Utility (£364) and EDF Energy (£360)[2]. However, the good news is that switching supplier is easy and only takes around ten minutes. Consumers don’t even have to read their bill as the uSwitch Switching Made Simple app can do that for them.
Ofgem’s rules allow customers to switch suppliers without paying exit fees from 42 days before their plan end date, so consumers are free to shop around without being penalised.
Claire Osborne, Uswitch.com energy expert, says: “With the sun shining, it is no surprise that energy bills don’t make it to the top of the household to-do list. But with so many bills set to rocket this month, it’s vital to act now to avoid being rolled onto sky-high tariffs. Switching tariff is incredibly easy and is definitely worth ten minutes online, on the phone or on an app.
“If your deal ends this month you could be clobbered with an increase of up to £399 per year. Don’t join the 16 million households languishing on poor-value standard tariffs. You can switch without incurring any exit fees 42 days before the contract end date, and comparing and switching takes just minutes to do.”
Table 1: Popular fixed energy deals ending in July 2017
Source: Uswitch.com. Correct as of 18 July, 2017
Find out how you could save over £1,000 a year with Uswitch here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ailene Barr
Phone: 020 3872 5610
Email: ailene.barr@uswitch.com
Twitter: @uswitchPR
Notes to editors
Source: Uswitch.com, more information available upon request.
See Table 1 above.
About us
It’s all about “U”!
Thank you for indulging us over the last 20 years by using a small ‘u’ and a big ‘S’ when writing about our brand in your articles.
We are delighted to let you know that you are now off the hook - it’s big U’s all the way (and small s’s) as we undertake our biggest ever rebrand - so let your autocorrect go wild!
About Uswitch
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. Launched in September 2000, we help consumers save money on their gas, electricity, broadband, mobile, TV, and financial services products and get more of what matters to them. Last year we saved consumers over £373 million on their energy bills alone.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a new business that also owns Money.co.uk and Bankrate.
If you would no longer like to receive our press releases please email prteam@uswitch.com with 'unsubscribe'.