Consumers on six popular fixed plans that expire at the end of the month could see their energy bills rise by up to £131 a year, Uswitch.com warned today. Unless action is taken, customers could be transferred to a more expensive roll-over tariff, resulting in an average price rise of £55 a year.
Tom Lyon, energy expert at Uswitch.com, says: “With these fixed plans coming to an end, customers could be facing their own personal price rise of up to £131 a year. Fixed plans give hard-pressed consumers clarity and control over what they pay for their energy, and shield against any unexpected price hikes. By planning ahead, customers can avoid being rolled over onto a potentially more expensive tariff and find a better deal before the winter is over.”
Snapshot of fixed plans coming to an end in March:
| Supplier | Plan | End date | Average bill size | Standard bill size | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-operative Energy | Pioneer – Fixed 2015 | 31/03/2015 | £1,045 | £1,176 | £131 | ||
| EDF Energy | Blue+Fixed Price March 2015 | 31/03/2015 | £1,127 | £1,155 | £28 | ||
| EDF Energy | Blue+Price Promise March 2015 | 31/03/2015 | £1,061 | £1,155 | £94 | ||
| Sainsbury’s Energy | Fixed Price March 2015 | 31/03/2015 | £1,193 | £1,156 | -£37 (cheaper) | ||
| ScottishPower | Online Fixed Price Energy March 2015 | 31/03/2015 | £1,066 | £1,156 | £90 | ||
| ScottishPower | Fixed Price Energy April 2015 | 31/03/2015 | £1,140 | £1,166 | £26 | ||
| Average difference: £55 |
Source: Uswitch.com. Based on a medium user customer using 3,200 kWh of electricity and 13,500 kWh of gas, on a dual fuel plan, paying by monthly Direct Debit, with bill sizes averaged across all regions.
‘Best-buy’ energy deals
| Best Buy plans paying by monthly Direct Debit (as of Monday 16 March 2015) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier | Plan name | Average bill size | Tariff type | ||
| Extra Energy | Fresh Fixed Price March 2016 v3 | £918 | Fixed | ||
| First Utility | iSave Fixed April 2016 | £919 | Fixed | ||
| Green Star Energy | Rate Saver 12M Fixed 1502 (paperless) | £927 | Fixed | ||
| Co-op | Fair & Square May 2016 | £944 | Fixed | ||
| ScottishPower | Online Fixed Price Energy April 2016 | £949 | Fixed | ||
| Sainsbury’s Energy | Fixed Price March 2016 | £949 | Fixed | ||
| GB Energy Supply | Premium Energy Saver | £951 | Variable | ||
| npower | Fixed Energy June 2016 | £955 | Fixed | ||
| EDF Energy | Blue+Price Promise July 2016 | £964 | Fixed | ||
| OVO Energy | Better Energy (all Online) | £968 | Fixed |
Source: Uswitch.com. Based on a medium user customer using 3,200 kWh of electricity and 13,500 kWh of gas, on a dual fuel plan, paying by monthly Direct Debit, with bill sizes averaged across all regions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jason Wakeford
Phone: 0203 872 5612
Email: jason.wakeford@uswitch.com
Twitter: @UswitchPR
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