Times have changed a lot since the days when the basic utilities of electricity, gas and water were nationalised industries providing a monolithic service across the nation. Whatever your viewpoint on the privatisation of energy and whether or not certain services should be left in the hands of the private sector, the fact is that today there is a wealth of choice between different companies vying for your custom.
In the UK, the opening up of the energy supply industry is a relatively recent phenomenon and one which many people perhaps still don’t quite use to their advantage. As with other financial areas of daily life, many people mistakenly think it is not worth the effort changing from one supplier to another, because the financial benefits in doing so don’t outweigh the hassle involved.
In fact, there are some great savings to be made by looking at the different tariffs and deals available. By using a well-known and trusted online comparison site, it’s a simple and easy process to access all the information you need – therefore eliminating the hassle of switching suppliers.
The energy supply industry is now a fully international affair. Gone are the days when the indigenous coal industry would supply the fuels needed for its electricity supply, and today a range of different natural resources from varied sources are used to generate the power we use in our homes and offices.
These raw materials are traded on an open international market. This means the gas you are using to boil a kettle may actually have been bought by the supply company as long as two years ago and at prices very different from those of today. The complications of these factors and the way they impact on your own bills are reflected in the choice of tariffs on offer – with everything from fixed prices to fluctuating rates available.
All in all this means that it’s more important than ever to be fully informed about how best to manage your own energy outlays and make sure you are using the best tariff for your particular needs. Alongside completing a thorough price comparison you should also address the way in which you consume energy and lower this where possible. After all, the less energy you use the less you will need to pay for.
