CHESTER, England, January 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• 40 per cent of annual energy consumption used during winter months
• Energy users on standard tariffs could save £199 a year by swapping to an online deal
• Bill payers beware - three fixed energy deals come to an end in January
  

The New Year could start with the arrival of a hefty winter energy bill warns MoneySupermarket.com.

Analysis from Britain's number one comparison site found homeowners use around 40 per cent of their annual energy consumption during the winter months^[1].Customers on standard tariffs could therefore face a gobsmacking bill of £514 next month^[2] - a wallet-busting blow for any household following an expensive festive season. Consumers can take action to offset the cost of fuel bills by swapping to the best available online deal (paying by monthly direct debit) to make an annual saving of £199, or 16 per cent^[3].

Scott Byrom,utilities manager at MoneySupermarket.com  said: "The start of a New Year is an expensive time as consumers deal with a festive financial hangover - a huge energy bill will come as an additional nasty shock.

"With the cost of gas increasing by 17.4 per cent and electricity up by 10.8 per cent following recent price rises, many will struggle to cope with the crippling costs of energy this winter. Those languishing on their provider's standard deal should take action."

As 2011 ends, so do some fixed energy deals!

Research also reveals some people on 'fixed' energy deals need to beware that their deals could be coming to an end.  According to MoneySupermarket.com, SaveOnline v4 from E.ON, Fixed Price 2012 from British Gas, and PriceSure Energy from Scottish Power are due to finish throughout January^[4].

Scott Byrom continued: "Languishing on fixed deals could spell bad news for Brits when they expire. In the worst case scenario, providers could automatically switch customers across to a more expensive standard tariff. Shopping around could mean a saving of over £360 by swapping to the current market leading deal^[4], however, in an ideal world, customers who have fixed deals expiring should look to switch at least six weeks before the termination date of the deal to avoid automatically being moved onto what could be a more expensive tariff.

"Time is of the essence when proactively looking for a new energy product. Move off your fixed rate too early and you could face termination fees of up to £75, but  move too late and you might find yourself automatically moved to the standard deal or locked into a less attractive fixed deal which isn't competitive."

Scott Byrom concluded: "Furthermore, despite a fall in the price of wholesale gas, the market indicates we could see further price increases in April or May 2012, and early estimates indicate a hike of around ten per cent for both gas and electricity. Apathy won't be rewarded so getting on the best deal for you as soon as possible is crucial."

Notes to Editors:

^[1]Quarterly energy consumption breakdown based on typical annual household consumption:

             Quarter          Electricity (%) Gas (%) Combined (%)
    13 August - 12 November        21.3        14.2      17.75
    13 November - 15 February      32.9        45.9       39.4
    16 February - 16 May           25.1        29.6      27.35
    17 May - 17 November           20.7        10.3       15.5

^[2] Average standard tariff is £1,286.58. 40 per cent of £1,286.58 = £514.63

^[3]Average standard, online / best and fixed tariffs:

                                                                               Average
                    Average                                                     Saving
                   Standard    Average Online/Best                             against
      Provider      Tariff         Tariff            Fixed Tariff              Standard
    British Gas   GBP1,286.04   GBP1,099.05          GBP1,150.06                
                                Web Saver 13         Online Fixed              GBP186.99
    EDF Energy    GBP1,240.26   N/A                                            GBP189.58
 
    E.ON          GBP1,254.55   GBP1,094.89          GBP1,189.88                
                                SaveOnline v10       Fixed Price Apr 13        GBP159.66
    npower        GBP1,282.43   GBP1,135.26          GBP1,086.92                
                                Sign Online 25       Go Fix 8                  GBP147.17
    Scottish                    GBP1,085.57          GBP1,133.78
    Power         GBP1,391.21   Online Energy 
                                Saver 17             Online Fixed Price                            
                                                     Energy (January 2013)     GBP305.64
    Scottish &                                       GBP1,142.18
    Southern      GBP1,265.00   N/A                  Price Fix 6               GBP122.82
                                                                   
                                   
    First Utility               GBP1,030.03 
                                iSave v9
                                                                   
    OVO Energy                                       GBP1,114.68
                                                     New Energy 
                                                     Fixed
    Average       GBP1,286.58   GBP1,088.96          GBP1,111.63               GBP199.51

Sourced by http://www.moneysupermarket.com 19.12.2011

^[4] Energy tariffs coming to an end (January and February 2012):

                                                                   Saving by
                                                     Energy Bill   switching
                                                      after End    to Market
                                                         Date       Leading
    Provider            Tariff Name        End Date   (Standard)     deal
    E.ON               SaveOnline v4      15/01/2012 GBP1,254.55   GBP224.52
    British Gas       Fixed Price 2012    31/01/2012 GBP1,286.04   GBP256.01
    Scottish Power    PriceSure Energy    31/01/2012 GBP1,391.21   GBP361.18
    British Gas         WebSaver 10       29/02/2012 GBP1,286.04   GBP256.01
    Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 12 29/02/2012 GBP1,391.21   GBP361.18

Current Market Leading Deal - First Utility iSave v9 £1,030.03

Sourced by http://www.moneysupermarket.com 22.12.2011

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SOURCE moneysupermarket.com

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