With last week’s news that the new energy price cap will come into force this winter, our guest, Claire Perry MP, explains the government’s approach to improving the energy market for consumers.
Putting customers at the heart of our energy market
33
How much are smart meters costing you?
207
Which? research shows that energy companies would need to work round the clock – installing 24 smart meters per minute – in order to meet the 2020 roll-out target. Guest author Steve McCabe MP tells us why this isn’t good enough…
Have you been left hanging by an appointment no-show?
9
You’ve arranged to work from home or taken the day off, popped the kettle on and are ready to go for 9am when the smart meter installer promised to come round. They’ve agreed to turn up within a time slot but as that window closes, your rage rises. Is this a familiar story?
Queen’s Speech 2017: did it deliver for you?
55
After a tumultuous few weeks in British politics, the Government tried to introduce some certainty in today’s Queen’s Speech by setting out a big agenda of new legislation it wants to pass in the next two years. So what do you make of today’s proposals?
Your views: energy suppliers
47
Is your energy supplier good to you? Or do you find yourself regularly switching and searching for ways to keep your energy bills down? (more on energy suppliers…)
Are you losing out to a faulty energy meter?
65
We all rely on our gas and electricity meters to accurately measure hundreds of pounds’ worth of energy a year. But have you ever stopped to wonder whether you really can trust your meter?
Why cutting the price of energy really matters
65
‘I’d like to use my heating in winter and not just when people visit.’ That was only one of many comments we’ve had from the more than 203,900 of you who have signed our petition for fair energy prices.
Brief cases: has your energy bill ever been recalculated?
4
Which? Legal member Ian Walker came to us for advice after his energy firm tried to recalculate his bill and charge him extra. Has your energy supplier ever changed your bill?
The Government must urgently cut smart meter roll-out costs
245
Have you had a smart meter installed in your house? The official roll-out’s due to start next year, but we’re concerned about the £10.9bn cost. That’s why we’re calling on the Government to urgently cut costs.
Do you know your cheapest time-of-use tariff hours?
32
About 3.9m UK households are on energy tariffs, which mean they get cheaper electricity at certain times. So you’d think it’s important to know exactly what those hours are to make sure you save as much as you can…
Are you losing money due to faulty electricity meter clocks?
217
They say time is money. But would you be surprised to hear that simply checking the clock on your electricity meter could save you hundreds of pounds a year? Clocks showing the wrong time are going unnoticed…
Smart meter roll-out delayed – time to get it right
18
News reached us last week that the introduction of smart meters into 30m UK homes would be delayed by a year. Time enough for the government to make sure the £11bn cost doesn’t spiral out of control.
Do you keep tabs on your energy usage?
48
Last week was National Baking Week so I made cookies for the team. With this week being Big Energy Saving Week I’ve been pondering how to celebrate – so I got up-close and personal with my energy monitor.
Will knowing your neighbour’s energy use help you cut back?
6
It’s official; I’m ‘GREAT’. That’s according to First Utility’s new energy savings plan which was launched last week. The idea is that you get a personal comparison with your neighbours in terms of energy comparison.