Warning to check small print for energy offer

A RETIRED businessman is warning people considering switching energy supplier to check the small print as the savings may not be as good as they seem.

Peter Abraham from Hinckley registered an interest in Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s energy switch scheme for both his gas and electricity bills. He was told switching from his current supplier Green Energy to a new supplier with the energy switch scheme would save him £140.

But when he looked at the small print he found Green Energy’s top variable rate was being used to make the comparison.

His one year contract is due to end soon and when he rang Green Energy he was given a quotation for another year much lower than the top variable rate. He was offered another year £17 cheaper than the rate promised by the energy switch scheme.

Mr Abraham, who is in his early 70s, said: “My advice to people in this situation is to go back to the existing supplier and ask for a quote for the next 12 months and then compare like with like.

“Once I looked at the small print I decided I wasn’t getting a true comparison.”

A council spokesperson said: “Through this scheme borough residents are given the opportunity to see if they can reduce their energy costs.

“The energy auction aims to provide everyone with an extra option if they are shopping around for a new energy plan. Although collective tariffs can be the cheapest deals on offer, this is not guaranteed.

“While there is no obligation to change, previously borough residents have saved up to £230 per year by switching through this auction process.

“We always urge everyone taking part to make sure they compare whatever they are offered with their current rate. One way of doing this is to compare the standing charge and the kw/hour rate.”

The Hinckley and Bosworth Energy Switching Scheme is run by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council with iChoosr, an organisation specialising in negotiating group discounts on energy bills.

People register interest giving details about their current supplier, who much energy they use and the tariff they are on. Staff from iChoosr negotiate with energy companies and then send everyone who registered an interest an offer of a tariff based on the details they gave. At that point people can choose to change or stay with their current supplier.