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
British Gas has just launched Websaver 6, the cheapest available tariff from the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers. It guarantees savings of at least 6% on its standard online tariffs until 1st May 2011.
Average Annual Bill – £899
Advantages
- Save at least 6% versus their standard dual fuel tariff until 1st May 2011
- Available to new and existing customers
- Cheapest tariff available for customers at average consumption with an average annual bill of £899
- 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 1st August 2010.
- Tariff is not fixed and is subject to price fluctuations and tariff changes
- Available for credit meter customers only
nPower’s Sign Online 17 guarantees 2% savings on its standard tariffs until 31st March 2011.
Average Annual Bill – £907
Advantages
- Save at least 2% versus their standard dual fuel tariff until 31st March 2011
- 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 before 31st March 2011.
OVO made its mark in the energy market by undercutting the Big Six energy suppliers and offering the UK’s cheapest tariff. This was short lived, because First:Utility stole the title. However, the launch of OVO’s New Energy tariffs this October helped them regain it, as it is the cheapest in 13 out of 14 UK regions.
Average Annual Bill – £921
Advantages
- It’s the cheapest gas and electricity deal available on the UK market
- 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
Although not as well known as other energy suppliers, First:Utility have put together iSave2 which is one of the cheapest online gas and electricity tariffs available. This makes them the one of the UK’s cheapest energy suppliers.
Average Annual Bill – £921
Advantages
- One of the cheapest gas and electricity deals on the market
- You get a 12.5% annual dual fuel discount at the end of the year
- You can earn a £20 reward for submitting meter reading online at least once in 3 months
Disadvantages
- Not available in the Midlands & East Midlands
- Only available online
- Requires online account management & Paperless Billing
The Online Energy Saver 8 replaces Energy Saver 7, with discounts of a further 1% until 31st March 2011.
Average Annual Bill – £922
Advantages
- Guarantees at least 3% off their standard Direct Debit prices until 31st March 2011
- 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
- Cancellation fee of up to £50 applies if you leave before the contract ends.
- Limited availability
FixOnline 5 is E.ON’s cheapest online dual fuel tariff, with discounts guaranteed until 1st March 2011.
Average Annual Bill – £940
Advantages
- Fix your energy prices until 1st March 2011
- Promotes Paperless Billing, so is better for the environment
- You can send your meter readings online
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 charge of up to £40 if you leave early.
- Limited availability
EDF energy launched Online Saver 5 this month, although Online Saver 4 is still available. It guarantees a minimum 2% discount off their standard prices until 31st March 2011.
Average Annual Bill – £944
Advantages
- Guarantees at least 2% off the standard EDF prices until 31st March 2011
- 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 up to £50 applies
- Available for dual fuel or electricity customers only
- Not available for prepayment customers
- Limited availability – can be withdrawn at any time
- You have to pay by Direct Debit
The Atlantic Online Fixed Price August 2011 tariff from Scottish & Southern Energy offers fixed gas and electricity prices until 31st August 2011.
Average Annual Bill – £960
Advantages
- Available from Atlantic Electric and Gas Brands
- Fixed prices available until 31st August 2011 when prices will revert to their standard tariffs
- No standing charge – customers only pay for what they us.
- 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 £75 applies if you leave before 31st August 2010. Reduces to £35 after 1st September 2010.
- 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
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
