Tag Archives: energy bill

86% of People Fail Test to Make Energy Bill Add Up

A straightforward test to see whether consumers can calculate an energy bill correctly has thrown up some shock results – with 86% of people getting it wrong. Of more than 2,700 people taking part almost 2,400 failed to make the bill add up correctly, even though they were allowed to make notes and use a calculator.

The test is being run by uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, and is based on a mock-up of an energy bill with sub-totals blanked out. Consumers have to work out the missing numbers and calculate the end total. So far, it has left most people flummoxed. Despite being a common household bill only 379 people have arrived successfully at the correct total – a pass rate of only 14%.

Now more consumers are being urged to take part to see if they can do any better. The test can be found at: www.uSwitch.com/bill-challenge. People can also sign a petition for energy bills to be made simpler, clearer and easier:http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/betterbills/ – over 7,000 concerned consumers have already signed.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “You shouldn’t need to be an ‘A’ grade student to be able to understand your energy bills. It’s deeply worrying that only 14% of people have passed what should be a straightforward test – it serves to highlight the fact that large numbers of consumers are in danger of being excluded because energy bills are far more complicated than they need to be. Ofgem is looking to address this, but it’s vital that consumers make their voices heard too.”

Household Energy Prices Are Set To Tumble Again As E.ON Launches A New Online Energy Plan

The new plan sees E.ON become Britain’s second cheapest energy supplier, coming just behind EDF Energy. E.ON’s energy plan averages out at £1,017 a year, while EDF Energy’s average bill size comes in at £983. However, EDF Energy’s plan is only available in 10 out of 14 energy regions, which means that many households will not be able to benefit.

British Gas has been forced into third place by today’s move, leading to mounting speculation that Britain’s biggest supplier could make a bid to regain its crown by bringing out a market beating new plan. This would be even better news for consumers as it would push the cost of online energy plans down even further.

The online price war is also proving very timely for consumers coming off fixed price energy plans this year. There are 4.6 million UK households currently on fixed or capped energy plans – many of these were savvy enough to fix their prices last year therefore avoiding much of last year’s price hikes.

However, many of these plans are coming to an end and households will be thrown back onto the market. If they don’t act they could be pushed back onto a standard energy plan, which would see their annual bill increase by just under £100. However, if they take advantage and move to the cheapest online energy plan they could actually see their energy bill fall by £62.

Will Marples, energy expert at uSwitch.com, says: “The online price war is hotting up and energy prices are coming down as a result. If consumers want to benefit they need to ditch their expensive standard plans and move to one of the new online energy plans. The average standard plan is £1,239 a year while the average online plan is now £1,025 a year – this is an easy saving of £214 a year for the average household.

It’s also good news for people coming off low price fixed rate deals. They managed to avoid much of the 42% hike in prices last year and are still sitting on a competitive plan today. Now, as this plan comes to an end, they have the option to move online and save a further £62 on the cost of their energy. This is a real lifeline to those who were worried about where they were going to go next and who could see that moving back to a standard energy plan was going to cost them dear.”

Via EPR Network
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