The Best Energy Tariffs

Updated: 01/02/11

Find the latest energy deals available

Since there are so many gas and electricity tariffs to choose from, we have put together the following review of the best ones currently available from our leading energy suppliers.

Our easy to follow guide will make life easier if you are thinking of switching, or just want a view of what other suppliers have available.

Many factors like where you live and average UK energy consumption levels also need to be taken into account; therefore the information in this article should be used for guidance only.

For a more precise view of the latest gas and electricity tariffs in your area, visit comparison websites like Confused.com or Uswitch.com where impartial comparison calculators are available.

The Latest Energy Tariffs Reviewed

EDF energy launched Online Saver 8 this month which supersedes Online Saver 7. It guarantees a minimum 2% discount off their standard prices until 31st March 2012.

Average Annual Bill – £876

Advantages

  • Guarantees at least 2% off the standard EDF prices until 31st March 2012
  • Discount is guaranteed even if their standard prices change.
  • Promotes Paperless Billing
  • Send online meter readings
  • You get monthly bills

Disadvantages

  • You have to manage your account online & choose paperless billing
  • You have to pay by direct debit
  • Cancellation fee of £60 applies on dual fuel tariff and £30 on single fuel tariff.
  • Available for dual fuel or electricity customers only
  • Not available for prepayment customers
  • Only available from EDF directly – not via price comparison sites.
  • Limited availability – can be withdrawn at any time
  • You have to pay by Direct Debit

The Online Energy Saver 12 is currently Scottish Power’s cheapest tariff, with prices fixed 2% lower than their standard direct debit prices until 29th February 2012.

Average Annual Bill – £899

Advantages

  • Prices 2% lower than their standard direct debit prices until 29th February 2012
  • Gives you cash back if your account is in credit on your annual reassessment
  • You can send meter readings online
  • Pay your bill online with your debit card
  • Get a combined gas and electricity bill

Disadvantages

  • You have to manage your account online & choose paperless billing
  • Annual discount applies after your first year
  • Cancellation fee of up to £50 applies if you leave before the contract ends.
  • Limited availability

SaveOnline v5 is E.ON’s cheapest online dual fuel tariff, which comes with a fixed-term contract and discounted rates guaranteed until 1st January 2012.

Average Annual Bill – £906

Advantages

  • Fix your energy prices until 1st January 2012
  • Promotes Paperless Billing, so is better for the environment
  • You can send your meter readings online
  • The tariff has a 6% discount versus E.ON’s EnergyPlan rates

Disadvantages

  • Available only if you pay by Direct Debit
  • You have to manage your account online
  • You have to choose paperless billing
  • Available only as a dual fuel or electricity tariff
  • You may incur a cancellation dual fuel charge of £30 or £10 for electricity only if you leave early.
  • Limited availability

nPower’s Sign Online 21 guarantees 2% savings on its standard tariffs until 31st March 2012.

Average Annual Bill – £916

Advantages

  • Save at least 2% versus their standard dual fuel tariff until 31st March 2012
  • Available to new and existing customers
  • Cheapest online dual fuel tariff available for customers at average consumption in 11 out of 14 of the UK’s energy supply regions
  • Comes with Paperless Billing, so better for the environment
  • View your bills online whenever you want
  • Submit meter readings online

Disadvantages

  • Available only if you pay by monthly Direct Debit
  • You have to manage your account online
  • You have to choose paperless billing
  • You will incur a cancellation fee of £20 per fuel if you leave after 14 days
  • You have to stay with nPower for at least a year before you get a dual fuel discount

British Gas’ Websaver 10 guarantees savings of at least 6% on its standard online tariffs until 29th February 2012.

Average Annual Bill – £921

Advantages

  • Save at least 6% versus their standard dual fuel tariff until 29th February 2012
  • Available to new and existing customers
  • Cheapest tariff available for customers at average consumption with an average annual bill of £921
  • Comes with Paperless Billing, so better for the environment
  • Pay your bills online using your debit card
  • You can submit your meter readings online for accurate billing
  • Available on 3 tariffs – dual fuel, gas only and electricity

Disadvantages

  • Available only if you pay by Direct Debit
  • You have to manage your account online
  • You have to choose paperless billing
  • You will incur a cancellation fee of £30 per fuel if you leave before the term date ends.
  • Tariff is not fixed and is subject to price fluctuations and tariff changes
  • Available for credit meter customers only

OVO Energy’s New Energy tariff offers a fixed rate for 12 months.

Average Annual Bill – £933

Advantages

  • Offer simple good value without the complex discounts and small print
  • It’s a fixed 12 month tariff which can be renewed again and again.
  • There is a choice of a variable energy tariff
  • It’s standard energy uses 15% from renewable sources making it the greenest on the market

Disadvantages

  • Available online only
  • Requires online account management & paperless billing
  • You have to pay by Direct Debit
  • A cancellation fee of up to £60 applies

Scottish & Southern Energy’s Atlantic Fixed Price 3 tariff offers fixed gas and electricity prices from 12 months after you sign the contract.

Average Annual Bill – £949

Advantages

  • Available from Atlantic Electric and Gas Brands
  • Fixed prices available for 12 months from contract start date.
  • No standing charge – customers only pay for what they use.
  • The current best deal from the ‘Big 6’ energy suppliers for Northern Scotland

Disadvantages

  • Only available to new online customers of Scottish & Southern Energy
  • Only available online
  • Requires online account management & Paperless Billing
  • Cancellation fee of up to £35 applies
  • You can only get this tariff directly from the 2 Scottish & Southern brands
  • You have to pay by Direct Debit, or a quarterly cash cheque

First:Utility’s iSave7 undercuts all the ‘big six’ energy suppliers, making them the one of the UK’s cheapest energy suppliers.

Average Annual Bill – £1,046

Advantages

  • You get a 11% (maximum £100) annual dual fuel discount at the end of the year

Disadvantages

  • Not available in the Midlands & East Midlands
  • Available only to homeowners and those connected to the mains gas network
  • Only available online
  • Excludes a Smart Meter (available with previous tariffs)
  • Requires online account management & Paperless Billing

For further information about all the energy tariffs included in this review, contact the energy suppliers directly or visit comparison websites like confused.com.

Sources – Confused.com, Britishgas.co.uk, nPower.com, Scottish-southern.co.uk, edfenergy.com, first-utility.com, eonenergy.com, ScottishPower.co.uk, ovoenergy.com

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