Businesses as well as domestic clients should shop around for energy

SHOPPING around for the best energy deal is vital for business electricity users as supplier profits continue to rise, so says the Energy Advice Line. It's important for domestic and business energy users to get the best deal they can.

Comparing the market and switching to the best available deal is the quickest and cheapest way for firms to take control in a volatile and challenging energy market, the UK’s leading energy switching and advice service for business said.

Big Six energy supplier Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) has just announced a 38% leap in half-yearly earnings, a month after increasing energy tariffs for householders by 9%.

Centrica, parent company of British Gas, announced it was set to make profits of £1.4 billion this year on the same day the utility giant hit customers with a 6% rise in their energy bills.

Suppliers have also come under fire following allegations that they have been involved in price rigging of the wholesale gas market.

“Customers might be fed up with the energy market right now, as suppliers hit the headlines yet again with rising profits and questionable practices,” EAL spokesman Mr Morgan said

“But it’s vital for firms to remember there is no benefit in being loyal to a utility company. In this environment they need to take control of their energy supply and energy costs by comparing the market to get the best deals.

“It’s really the quickest and cheapest way to find the lowest business energy prices and to play energy suppliers at their own game.”

Mr Morgan said that many firms underestimated the amount of money they could save by switching suppliers as soon as their fixed-price energy contracts ended.

The Energy Advice Line had helped thousands of firms substantially reduce their business electricity spend.

“Depending on the amount of business electricity a firm uses, we can slash hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds off its annual energy spend by finding a better deal than the tariff offered by their existing supplier.

“Energy suppliers don’t want businesses to shop around because that’s partly how they make such big profits – from firms who stay with them year on year.

“We’ve helped thousands of customers to move to cheaper rates through simple non-pressure and impartial advice about the energy market and the suppliers that operate in the market.”

The Energy Advice Line is the UK’s leading business electricity price comparison site and switching services for business, and enables firms to compare the market for the best possible business energy deals at the touch of a button.

The service has a team of business experts who can give advice about business energy contracts and how to avoid expensive contract rollovers. It also offers a free contract management service to help firms throughout the duration of their energy contracts.

For further information visit www.energyadviceline.org.uk