AS a nation, when it comes to our gas and electric spending, big energy corporations really do have all the power. On the whim of tetchy markets or shaeholders, prices can rocket, leaving finances, for some householders, in a complete mess.
Seizing control (for example by stripping fat cat bosses naked, tarring and feathering them and sending them on a one way trip to the frozen Arctic wastes) sadly ain't an option, so collective switching was born. It is a chance for the ordinary to cut heating bills using the together-we-are-stronger approach.
Collective switching works by asking people to register their interest, then using collective buying power to negotiate an exclusive tariff from energy suppliers. The exclusive tariff is only available to those who register for the collective switch.
The last Merseyside Collective Switch took place in September and saved residents an average of £203 a year, with the top saver saving £825 a year.
The Switch Together, Save Together scheme is organised by local charity Energy Projects Plus and is backed by Merseyside local authorities.
Previous rounds of the Merseyside Collective Switch have attracted exclusive offers from E.on, British Gas, Npower, Scottish Power, The Co-operative Energy and Good Energy and have included tariffs for direct debit, payment on receipt of bill and prepayment customers. The last two collectives have included deals that were the cheapest on the market and only available to those who registered, say organisers.
The winning tariffs are shown against other tariffs on the market, so householders can clearly see if it’s a good deal.
So far, over £424,000 has been saved by Merseyside householders switching their tariff through the Merseyside Collective Switch, and £86,600 has been saved by Liverpool residents alone.The offers will be announced on 2nd March and you need to register before then in order to find out about the exclusive deals.
You can join the collective switch here or by calling the local Save Energy Advice Line on freephone 0800 043 0151.
