Vriconian - Energy Cost Comparison
First Things First
Prior to looking at energy efficiency measures or microgeneration technologies, the natural priority should be to research how competitive current energy purchases are on the open market.
For those who have never swapped energy supplier, simply checking whether there are lower cost alternatives can provide significant savings with little effort and no financial outlay.
Research conducted by the energy industry regulator, Ofgem, suggests that savings of around £300 a year is possible for many who have never switched supplier, money which could be reallocated to finance energy efficiency measures.
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Compare Energy Prices
Due to the inherent complexity in the energy supply market, comparing supplier energy tariffs can be a time consuming and particularly confusing task, however, comparing supplier energy tariff offers regularly can help ensure the consumer is aware of the best offers available for their own particular levels of energy usage & mix and decide whether to change supplier or tariff to save money.
Historically, the majority of UK households have tended to not switch energy supplier, preferring to remain with the one that they're familiar with, very often believing that supplier & tariff comparison is a complex & daunting process, however, through using a tariff comparison tool it's actually easier than it may first seem with the potential to access substantial savings on bills, often running into hundreds of pounds per year.
Recent data provided by the industry regulator, Ofgem, shows that after an initial spate of energy supplier changes, the rate of account switching slowed considerably from 2010 onwards, however the inherent resistance to switching is changing. In 2015 around 6m consumer accounts were switched, rising to 7.7m in 2016, however, Ofgem considered the market to not be 'as competitive as we would like', with around two-thirds of customers remaining on relatively expensive standard variable tariffs having not researched cheaper alternatives which may be available if they switched tariffs or providers.
SOURCE: Ofgem State of the Energy Market 2017, analysis of distribution network operator data
Comparison Sites
To ensure that consumers are provided with alternatives and prices which are calculated and provided on a fair and accurate basis, Ofgem have accredited a number of online price comparison sites which operate within a defined code of practice. The list below details the websites which have attained accreditation as of March 2018.
A number of alternative comparison offerings are available under other sites, many of which utilise the search & selection criteria provided by the Ofgem accredited sites, however, it is best to check which of the approves sites are being used to ensure that information provided conforms to the code of practice.