'Search the market and change utility supplier'
(30 January 2008)

Customers should search the whole market when changing their utilities supplier to save money, according to an expert.

Almost half of all people have never changed their supplier, mainly because they do not want the "hassle of switching", said price comparison site uSwitch.

Tim Wolfenden, head of home services for uSwitch, said that even people who have changed supplier may not have made the largest savings they could, by not searching the entire market.

Mr Wolfenden commented that people are "more savvy on the insurance and personal finance side of things" but still not aware enough.

He went on to say that most people that had switched had probably done so because of a cold call or telesales person, rather than finding the right deal for them.

Earlier this month British Gas put gas and electricity prices up by 15 per cent, resulting in an average rise of over £100 per households, according to uSwitch.

Energywatch, a consumer group, reported recently that one in six Britons struggles to afford to heat their homes.