Why should I switch? |
The UK has experienced quite a few major price rises in the price of gas and electricity over the last 20 years. This is a result of depletion of available sources for gas and electricity, together with higher import costs which aggravates the situation further. During 1999 the market was deregulated and opened to competition, as a result there was a trend to switch energy suppliers. Today UK residents have the option of choosing their gas and electricity suppliers on their own. They can either choose separate suppliers for their gas and electricity or choose a single supplier who provides both. If they choose a supplier for both it is called a duel fuel contract. PCM switch can offer a good choice of options for either single fuel contracts or duel fuel contacts.
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Complaints |
Should a customer suffer as a result of a supplier there are places that they are free to lodge a complaint, the Consumer Focus or Ofgem are two such places. It is recommended that the customer first attempt to sort it out with the supplier before lodging a complaint.
Once a decision to switch suppliers has been made the customer needs to make sure of any heating cover policies are part of any agreement or contact, there may be a difference that needs to be paid. One other aspect that needs to be taken into account is the 5% VAT that is charged on gas and electricity prices.
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How to Save Energy |
Apart from looking at cheaper prices for electricity and gas, consumers can also save on their utility bills in their homes. PCM Switch can offer a number of energy saving tips that can be utilised in the home. The tips are provided free and will help reduce your energy bills. One of the most common and easiest energy saving tips is to use CFL lamps this can save as much as 75% of energy, although they are more expensive initially the amount saved is easily recovered with day to day energy savings.
Another tip is to install draught proofing systems you could save around £35 per annum. Cavity wall insulation installed can save approximately £130 per annum, and a loft insulation can offer further savings of around £80-£100.
Other places you can get more energy saving tips is from your energy supplier, they can advise you on plans, and discounts on energy efficient equipment and other ways to save energy. There is also an organisation called The Energy Saving Trust their advice is complementary and independent.
Suppliers should also make concessions for elderly, the mentally handicapped, and the physically disabled who qualify for various benefits. Please make enquiries if you fit in that category. An example of benefits that disabled and the elderly can apply for are free loft insulations, draught proofing and central heating in their homes. There are also firms that provide advice and funds which can help people make their living spaces energy efficient in terms of usage and energy.
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Gas & Electricity Suppliers |
Gas and Electricity suppliers that cover the UK there are a lot of big players, some of them are well known such as British Gas, Countrywide Energy, EDF Energy, First: Utility, London Energy, Npower, Scottish Hydro-Electric, Scottish Power, Seeboard Energy, Scottish and Southern Energy, Southern Electric, Utilita, United Utilities etc. These suppliers have a good range of plans, offers, tariffs that the customer can choose from.
All of the suppliers target the basic requirement of pay less for more energy, that is, cost-effectiveness with high productivity. The customer can choose their supplier based on availability and what suits their personal needs.
Supplier's charges do not remain constant over one particular area in most places. On supplier might charge one customer a certain amount for a given number of units in a particular area and charge another customer less in the same area. This often depends on variances such as the energy plant's location, the piping, and raw material that is available and so on.
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Hassle Free Switching |
PCM Switch is a company that is registered in the UK, they provide customers with the best offers that are available for energy usage. Because they keep fully up to date with all the packages and tariffs of the various suppliers that that they use they can advise which the best choice is for each individual person. They then contact the new supplier, who then makes arrangement to call the user, as well as the old energy supplier and the suppliers old and new sort the changes, once agreement is reached the new supplier will then contact the user with dates of change, prices and the final bill from the old supplier.
This whole process will take about four to six weeks. Most suppliers offer a 28 day rolling contact. This can also depend on what equipment is installed or needs to be installed or any changes that might need to be made. There also may be a cancellation fee in an agreement, especially in capped tariff plans, these will need to be addressed as well. Problems that do arise can be as a result of the user having run up debit or not paid their bills regularly. This need not be a stumbling block as there are services that can help customers get out of this situation. PCM Switch has a dedicated team of Professionals who can assist consumers with all queries.
One of the ways to save money is the method of payment, unless one is paying by direct credit all the amount will be directly charged from the account. It should be noted that payments are made by direct debit or online payment monthly then it works out cheaper than payment by cash or cheque. If a customer is concerned with security the change can be made directly from the bank. When a switch takes place a direct debit from the old supplier is automatically cancelled once the switch has taken place.
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