The bad weather has arrived and the leaves are beginning to fall. It can only mean one thing – winter is once again nearly upon us.
It’s a point during the year that fills many with dread, and with the recent price increases implemented by gas and electricity suppliers in the United Kingdom, in particular homeowners. Whereas in the past we’ve all felt relatively comfortable about reaching for the switch on the gas fire, turning up the dial on the immersion heater, or turning up the thermostat for the central heating system, these price increases have understandably filled many with a sense of reluctance.
Besides using less, one of the main ways to ensure you get the cheapest gas and electricity bills is by switching – something that has been advocated by many consumer research organisations. Although the prices are increasing, there are a number of energy suppliers that offer fixed rate deals. These tariffs essentially protect the customers who opt for them against price hikes up until a set point. Obviously the benefits are clear for all to see.
However, when looking for the cheapest gas and electricity prices, many consumers are quick to discount the importance of location. Location, though, has a massive impact on the price you pay for each unit of gas or electricity you use in the home.
Why Does Location Affect Gas and Electricity Prices?
Much of the UK’s gas is collected from the North Sea. Unfortunately this source is depleting, and the industry has had to turn towards other sources much further away. This gas is transported into the country by pipelines and then delivered to reception terminals. From this point it’s sent to distribution centres and then onto to households. The further away the home is from one of these distribution centres, the higher the cost of transportation is. And this will naturally be reflected in the final price paid by consumers.
A similar rule applies for electricity.
Therefore when an energy supplier announces a price rise, it’s always worth looking a bit deeper. The price reported in the national press is usually just an average. You may find that the actual rise for your area is much lower or higher. Looking at these figures will help you to determine which suppliers are offering the cheapest gas and electricity prices.
Price Comparison Services
It’s always worth using every available resource when it comes to finding the best deal. The same is true when looking for the cheapest gas and electricity tariffs. Use price comparison sites to get an overview of the market. Jot down any appealing deals you spot, and then research the finer terms and points. Just because a deal looks good on the surface, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is. For example, some deals lock you in for a certain period of time – preventing you from switching, regardless of whether you spot a better tariff at a later date.
Although it might seem tough at the moment, you can find the cheapest gas and electricity prices with a little savvy thinking.
Louisa Jenkins is a financial-savvy blogger. She regularly likes to produce blogs giving advice to people looking for the cheapest gas and electricity deals.