Recent winters have seen snow plague many of the UK's regions, trapping people inside their own homes and making driving impossible for residents, with freezing temperatures putting an end to many outdoor pursuits. Therefore, a large amount of time will be spent indoors in the coming months, meaning it is crucial that property owners are living in warm homes.
The current economic downturn has caused many people to be more wary of their energy usage, with many set to cut back on their heating this winter amid concerns over expenses. However, Consumer Focus has advised residents that they could save considerable amounts of money by exploring the market and looking for a better energy deal than their existing service. The group has advocated comparison websites, noting that they can help people to discover packages that suppliers don't mention over the phone or in face-to-face meetings.
Research by the organisation found that only a third of consumers (33 per cent) currently use a price comparison site when they switch. The study discovered that it is more common for customers to select a new deal after being contacted directly by an energy supplier, with 36 per cent of respondents doing this instead of using a comparison website. Consumer Focus has warned that those who select a new deal after being contacted by their provider will not have full access to all of the deals on offer in the market.
Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus, said: "Energy prices are a big worry for many households across the country and switching tariff and/or supplier is one way to help save cash off your bills. "Yet many people either don't switch at all or switch without knowing whether they're getting the best deal available." Ms Gallacher advised that a Confidence Code-accredited price comparison site will give residents all the information they require regarding the best available deals on the market.
Posted by David Leonard
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Source:
autoweek.com
