UK households save estimated £1.7 billion switching energy deals in 2019

• Uswitch.com data shows average savings of £283 per household in 2019

• Broughton, Manchester revealed as savviest postcode for switching and saving

• Over half (53%) of switches in London were to green tariffs

• Glasgow (46%) tops list of cities switching away from rip-off standard tariffs

• Exeter (59%) keenest on switching to challenger suppliers

Figures released today reveal that energy customers saved an estimated £1.7 billion by switching during 2019. Data from Uswitch.com, the price comparison and switching service, shows an average saving of £283 per household , as the savviest postcodes for switching and saving over the past year are unveiled.

The data shows that postcodes in Manchester, Nottingham and London top the list for energy switching, each saving over two million pounds this year alone on their bills . Residents in the Broughton area of Manchester (M7 postcode) saved a huge £2,717,298. Londoners in Golders Green & Hampstead (NW11) saved £2,648,860, while households in the Arnold, Sherwood & Bestwood areas of Nottingham (NG5) saved £2,493,168.

With climate change featuring so prominently in the news agenda throughout 2019, the popularity of green tariffs has continued to grow. Londoners were keenest when it came to switching to renewable energy deals, with 53% of switches in the capital going to a green plan. Hot on their heels were Manchester (49%) and Aberdeen (48%).

The drive to move people off the worst value Standard Variable Tariffs (SVTs) continues, with just over half (53%) of households currently on them nationwide. Four of Scotland’s biggest cities make the top five for highest proportion of switches away from SVT’s, with Glasgow taking the top spot at 46% .

Cardiff and Swansea have also seen a significant shift away from SVTs at 42% . With the cheapest deal on the market a whopping £347 cheaper than the price cap on standard plans, it makes sense for households who haven’t switched in over a year to shop around and see how much they can save.

2019 has also been a turbulent year for both big & small energy providers. Eight smaller suppliers have gone under this year, while hundreds and thousands of customers have voted with their feet and moved away from the Big Six. Challenger brands who offer innovative products, competitive prices and high quality customer service are proving a real hit amongst consumers who are looking for good all round providers. The South Western cities of Bristol and Exeter, alongside London, are in the top three for highest percentage of switches to non-Big Six suppliers at nearly 60% each .

Rik Smith, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said:

“2019 is on course to be a record year for switching, which is great news for consumers as they will have more money in their pockets heading into 2020. Nearly two billion pounds have been saved by a nation of savvy individuals not afraid to search out the very best deals on the market. Suppliers need to take note: in a bid to be more sustainable, consumers are increasingly looking for greener deals at better prices. Additionally, they are no longer loyal to the Big Six and are instead happy to move to smaller suppliers who can combine competitive deals and great customer service.

“In the past six months we’ve seen the lowest priced deals becoming even cheaper, and households can expect great value tariffs to remain on offer as we head into January. There are more than 40 fixed deals for less than £1,000 per year available at the moment – so people can get a head start on their new year’s resolution to sort out their finances by switching now.

“With the next price cap announcement due in February, consumers must remember that this is only a cap on the worst value deals and a Standard Variable Tariff is still a rip off – whereas hundreds of pounds a year can be saved by spending just a few minutes shopping around”.