As the UK gears up for another cold winter, one expert has urged British households to check their energy bills.
British households are urged to check their energy bills now before the start of the new year. By doing so, you could be saving hundreds of pounds on your energy bill as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
With winter now setting in, temperatures are dropping drastically, with more and more people now using more energy to heat themselves, causing bills to go up.
But with the energy price cap having risen by 2% last month, the cost of warming our homes is becoming a real problem for some Brits.
But one expert is calling on Brits to check their bills to see if they may be able to save a few quid in the process.
Energy expert Stephen Hankinson, from Electric Radiators Direct, gave some major tips to Brits who might be struggling with their bills. He also revealed that by following this advice, some households could save up to £315 on their bill.
Stephen said the best thing to do to save money on your energy bill is to shop around and switch providers – if it works out to be cheaper.
With the average cost of heating set at around £1,755 per year, it is important to try and find an energy supplier that suits you best for the level of energy you consume.
The first step is to work out what tariff the house is actually on. “If you’re unsure of what tariff you’re on or when it ends, you can check a recent energy bill or log into your account online, and it should be clearly listed there,” Stephen explained. “Once you’re aware of these details, you can compare deals and lock in a better rate.”
He added that if you have been on the same tariff for over a year, it may be likely you could be on the standard variable tariff which, as a default, is one of the most expensive.
Instead, he suggested a fixed-rate tariff as it means “you pay the same every month, even if energy prices increase”.
When asked about when is the best time to switch, Stephen said it is best to switch when you are coming to the end of the fixed-rate tariff, urging those who were on fixed-rate deals struck in November 2024 to start looking now.
“If you can find a fixed deal less than the October price cap or even less than the 2% increase, you will be saving money on your energy bill,” he said.
Stephen added that by law, energy providers are required to tell you when your contract is finishing. As well as this, you can switch providers within 49 days of the contract ending without having to pay any exit fees, which you may end up shelfing out for if it’s closer to the end date.
“If you have just signed up to a new fixed tariff, make a note in your calendar of when you are 49 days away from the end date, as you can then start searching for the best deals again,” he said. He went on to say that the process of switching could not be any easier.
“Switching energy providers itself is simple,” he exclaimed. “It shouldn’t take longer than five working days, and your energy supply won’t be interrupted at any point, meaning you don’t have to worry about feeling cold in the meantime.”
