Consumers are now just clicks away from getting impartial advice from Citizens Advice and Ofgem on how to keep the cost of energy as low as possible through energy efficiency and getting a better deal in the energy market.
The videos ensure consumers know their energy rights when it comes to dealing with energy companies. They cover dealing with doorstep sales people, debt and disconnection, and getting help for consumers struggling to pay their energy bills.
John Rhodes, Head of Financial Capability at Citizens Advice said: "We are very excited to launch Energy Best Deal online with Ofgem. This will help give even more people the confidence to get the right deal. At a time when utility prices are once again rising, it is particularly important that hard pressed consumers don't spend more than they need to."
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Last month, Ofgem's Retail Market Review showed that energy companies make higher profits from consumers who do not switch. This is important as Ofgem's research also shows that only one in five consumers say that they are actively engaged in the market. This means four out of five consumers are at risk of paying more for their energy than they need to. On average consumers who have not switched pay around £170 more for their energy.
Ofgem has proposed a radical overhaul of the industry to address the lack of effective competition by sweeping away complex and unfair pricing and breaking the stranglehold of the Big Six over the electricity market. However, there is still plenty that consumers can do to save money on their energy bills before Ofgem's reforms come into effect.
Sarah Harrison, Ofgem's Senior Partner for Sustainable Development, said: "Our latest research shows that consumers who are not active in the market are paying on average around £170 a year more than they have to. Energy Best Deal is here to help the four out of five consumers who say they not taking part in the energy market shop around to get a better deal.
"While Ofgem is working to bring in reforms to make comparing energy deals even easier, consumers should still take advantage of recent improvements like annual statements and the advice in these videos to help reduce the cost of their energy."
(CD/KMcA)
