subject: Should I stay with my current electricity provider? [print this page] Should I stay with my current electricity provider?
Many people stay with the same electricity provider for many years, but this often means paying excessive amounts and failing to benefit from tariffs offered by the competition that may be better suited for their situation. Switching your electricity supplier could be one of the easiest and most effective ways to make lasting changes to your electricity bills.
If you are one of the people who has never changed energy supplier, it could pay to carry out research into the price plans available from all the major electricity companies. This means looking beyond the standard tariff - which is often the most expensive - and investigating more specialised options.
The electricity market is a dynamic and fluctuating one, which means regular check-ups are necessary to ensure you're getting the best deal at all times. Even if you switched to a cheaper supplier just one year ago, you could find that this tariff has already been usurped by several cheaper and more cost-effective ones in the interim, so you should always consider your options before staying with your current supplier.
Some people choose to stay with their current electricity provider due to confusion over the sheer number of options available, with a recent study in the East Midlands finding that residents in that area have 89 different tariff options available for gas and electricity. However, such a range of choices doesn't have to be daunting, when you search for tariff options ideally suited to your usage habits and the size of your home.
Once you've decided on a tariff you're happy with, there could be further ways to reduce the amount you pay - such as choosing to pay by monthly direct debit. Signing up online could also yield greater discounts than doing so over the phone. If you still feel you're being charged more for your electricity than you should be, the problem could be in your own usage habits - in which case, making a few small but lasting changes to the way you use electrical appliances at home could have a big impact on your electricity bills.
If you're unsatisfied with your current electricity provider and looking for a change, you will be in the ideal position to make the most of the cost savings available - with some providers offering exclusive low-price tariffs for new customers.
