MILLIONS can beat the biggest energy-bill rises for ten years and save up to £154 a year – but only if they switch now.
The industry price cap leaps £139 to £1,277 a year for an average home from October 1.
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More than 30million people on standard energy tariffs will see bills rocket after many suppliers put up prices to the new limit.
Insiders say the increases are the largest since 2011.
But the cheapest discount deal is just £1,123, with Avro Energy.
And many firms’ 21-day switching guarantees mean customers have just enough time before October to ditch expensive suppliers and grab a cheaper deal.
Doing so would also beat potential bill rises next year, amid continuing high wholesale energy costs.
For millions of householders, gas and electricity are their biggest annual bills.
But many do not switch due to myths about problems changing power provider.
So Sun Money today busts the myths about being cut off, and fake prices, showing you how to bag the best deals.
Experts blame these falsehoods for families missing out on saving thousands over the years, as they have remained on pricey tariffs when they could have bagged cheaper deals.
Campaigners say the one piece of good news is that October’s mega price rise — coming only six months after April’s power- bill increase — will be the incentive many of us need to snap out of our complacency and finally switch suppliers.
MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis said: “Energy bills are about to jump by hundreds of pounds. Jaws will hit the floor as people finally see evidence of the energy-bill catastrophe.
“Even the cheapest deals cost far more than a year ago — so switch now to avoid bill shock.”
A GoCompare spokesperson said: “As price increases come into effect on October 1, there’s still time to switch providers and avoid the hikes.
“Check your tariff and make sure you’re not overpaying for energy.”
Myth buster
I’LL BE CUT OFF WHILE I SWITCH: No chance – you will not be left without power.
Switching firm Look After My Bills said: “There’s no danger of being cut off when you switch.
All energy companies use the same wires and pipes and there is no chance of losing power, even for a minute.”
But note that if you owe any money to your provider, it will not let you leave before you clear the backlog of payments due.
A NEW DEAL WON’T BE CHEAPER: Wrong – many fixed deals, often with the tariff set in stone for 12 months or more, are cheaper than standard rates.
And the price that comparison websites quote you really is the price you will pay – although if you use more energy than you originally said on your comparison quote, of course you will need to pay more.
I CAN’T SWITCH AS I DON’T KNOW MY ENERGY USE: No problem – you don’t need to know how much power you use.
Online comparison sites will estimate your use, or type in the average UK household power consumption – 12,000kWh of gas per year and 3,000kWh of electricity.
IT’S TOO MUCH HASSLE: Nope – it can be done in minutes.
Just type in your name, address, bank account number and sort code.
FAST CHANGE GIVES FAMILY DOUBLE BOOST
A FAMILY who raced to switch energy supplier before the October price increases not only dodged a £293 bill rise – they banked £120 cashback at the same time.
Dad-of-three Amjid Salam, 50, dumped Ovo last week after his discounted deal ended and the firm was set to increase his standard tariff price in weeks.
His bill spike would have been higher than for some other customers, as his family’s energy use is above-average.
The IT consultant, from Wandsworth, South London, switched to EDF’s Energy Direct packge.
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The firm’s cheapest discounted tariff, it is fixed for three years and has no exit fee should Amjid decide to switch before 2024.
As Amjid changed supplier via cashback website Quidco, he banked a £120 bonus.
Amjid, who has sons aged seven, five and two with wife Ursula, 43, a textile designer, said: “Our deal with Ovo ended and we were going on to their more expensive standard tariff, with prices going up in October too.
“Switching was straightforward. EDF was our choice as it was one of the cheapest options and we wanted a firm with reasonable customer service.
“The new tariff also has no exit fee, so if prices come down elsewhere, we can switch without paying a penalty.”
How to switch
COMPARE AND SWITCH: Check the cheapest deals from all suppliers via websites such as moneysupermarket.com, comparethemarket.com and GoCompare.
Click on your favourite deal.
AUTO-SWITCH: Arrange for a firm such as Look After My Bills or Switchcraft to swap you to a cheap new deal annually.
Then you will never have to worry about switching again.
LOYAL SWITCH: Phone your provider and ask them to move you on to a cheaper tariff.
But don’t hold your breath for giant savings.
Ofgem Chief Exec Jonathan Brearley admits biggest rise in energy price cap ‘is going to be difficult for many families’
