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 Money
Page > Utilities
> Electricity - UK Guide
 Introduction
Most
people would be lost without electricity, which we use to
power up everything from our lights to our computers. In the
past, electricity suppliers have taken advantage of this and
have charged extortionate prices because they know that
consumers will have to pay up. However, the far wider choice
of electricity suppliers available today has changed all this,
enabling consumers to enjoy a choice of supplier and get great
value rates on their electricity.
How do
I find out who serves my area?
In the past, it
could be difficult to ascertain which providers served your
area, and this could be a time consuming task. However, the
limited number of electricity providers made it a little
easier. These days, there are far more electricity providers,
which potentially could mean more work in trying to find out
which ones service your area. However, the Internet makes this
task easier, with a number of sites through which you can find
out about local providers. You can also contact the Office of
Gas and Electricity Markets (www.ofgem.gov.uk).
What to
look out for
When looking for an electricity
supplier, it is important to consider the price. Many people
just assume that the bigger, better known companies are going
to be the best, but in truth there are now many smaller
electricity providers that can offer excellent customer
services and a high level of service for a lower price. You
should also look into payment methods, any special offers or
rates for new electricity customers, and any package deals
that could save you more money (such as a combined gas and
electricity package).
How do
I pay?
Most electricity providers now offer a wide
range of payment options, which means a higher level of
convenience and choice for consumers. Most electricity
providers enable you to pay quarterly, and you can do this via
a bank or post office, or by calling the provider and making a
credit card or debit card payment. You can also send a cheque
for your quarterly payment. Most providers now encourage
people to pay on a monthly basis via direct debit, although
there is no obligation to do so. This saves the provider a lot
of time and money because payments are received regularly and
on time. It can also save the consumer time and inconvenience.
Many providers now offer a reduced rate for direct debit
customers, so you can also save money by paying in this
way.
Money
Saving Tips
There are a number of ways in which
you can save money on the cost of your electricity bills.
These include:
Limit the use of electrical appliances
and lights to when you need them. A surprising number of
people leave the lights on and the TV on standby even when
they are out of the room for hours, which can increase
expenses.
Paying by direct debit will get you a
discount with many electricity providers, and this can help to
keep down unnecessary costs.
Combine your gas and electricity supply,
as you may get a better deal by having both utilities from the
same supplier.
How do
I switch accounts?
Although many people think that
switching must be a long winded and complicated process,
hundreds of people switch every week, and these days the
utility companies do all the work for you! All you have to do
is decide which company you want to switch to, and contact the
company to advise them. The new company will ask for a meter
reading and will then contact your old company to terminate
your agreement and initiate your new one. This is the general
procedure, but may change from one provider to
another.
Further
Reading
You can find out more about getting or
changing your electricity supplier from the Office of Gas and
Electricity Markets: www.ofgem.gov.uk
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