With bills rising, there has never been a better time to switch energy provider and to lock in a good deal for your household power. And, with climate change on everyone’s minds, finding a supplier of renewable energy would be even better.
Wholesale energy prices hit a three-year high recently, and the government regulator Ofgem is raising the limit on what energy companies can charge you. The ‘cap’ on Standard Variable Tariffs will rise, meaning that charges will increase.
With so many of us still working from home more than we used to, it is even more important to consider switching to see if you are able to save on your energy bills.
However, there is more than one route to getting a better – and hopefully greener – deal this autumn.
BIG LONDON ENERGY SWITCH
Ealing Council is one of the councils backing the Big London Energy Switch, which runs regular ‘auctions’ for residents to club together in the hope of getting the best deals from energy suppliers as a group. It works on the basis of strength in numbers – with more than 6,000 local people signed up last time around. Registering your interest is simple and there is no obligation to switch. The next auction is coming up on Tuesday, 12 October. Find out more on the Big London Energy Switch website. Another auction is due in February. If a better tariff offer is not achieved by an auction, participants are advised to remain with the provider they are currently with.
LONDON POWER
London Power is also now available. It was set up by the Mayor of London in 2019 to give Londoners a greener and more affordable option. Customers get 100% renewable electricity and gas carbon offsets as standard and have an option to contribute to planting more trees in London. Since it launched, London Power has saved its average customer 1,120kg of carbon a year each – the equivalent of the work of 560 trees.
Many of the big energy companies offer tempting introductory rates that are then hiked up later on. But London Power aims to give you good value for the long term and to get you on the cheapest tariff – which is particularly important for households in danger of fuel poverty. With both pre-payment and monthly direct debit rate plans, there is something for everyone.
To learn more and get a quick quote, visit the London Power website or call 0808 168 8145 or email hello@mylondonpower.com
CONSIDER GOING RENEWABLE
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, said: “With climate action one of our priorities, I’d urge everyone to consider choosing a supplier with 100% renewable energy – to help reduce the negative impact our homes can have on the environment. And, with prices rising, now is the ideal time to look into switching.”