By David Fields


Increasing numbers of Britons are switching energy providers and becoming energy tarts. You can check out the difference in utilities by clicking on UK Net Guide's Utilities Comparison Search

In the first ten months of 2006 four million Britons changed gas or electricity suppliers as utility bill rises hit the headlines, according to new figures from the energy watchdog Ofgem. So many people are looking across the market that the many of the former monopoly suppliers, such as British Gas, Norweb, East Midlands, Northern, Midlands, and Yorkshire have all now have less than a 50 per cent market share.

For those still sitting on their hands thinking that the benefits of swapping providers are marginal, are also being warned that savings of up to £150 are available.

Ofgem chief Alistair Buchanan, said: "Energy customers have given expensive suppliers the boot with over four million moving to a cheaper supplier in the first ten months of 2006.

"This dynamic market is most dramatically illustrated by British Gas seeing their share of the household gas market fall below 50 per cent for the first time. This is clear evidence that Britain has the most competitive energy market in the world and that customers are taking full advantage of this."

However, Ofgem is now warning that as gas prices may start to fall in the coming year, customers who have already switched supplier should still keep their eyes open and think about getting a good deal as their supplier may no longer be offering them the best one.

The warning also applies customers who are coming to the end of a fixed price deal.

Commenting on the UK's energy tarts, Paul Schofield, head of utilities at moneysupermarket, said: "Last year saw sustained hikes in energy prices, so it's no surprise millions looked to combat their soaring bills by swapping to a cheaper supplier.

"The level of profit made by energy suppliers is huge, with gas prices having increased by 40 per cent on average since the beginning of 2006 and electricity prices having risen by 27 per cent over the same period. This is set against a backdrop of falling wholesale prices which energy providers have been reluctant to pass on to the consumer - there is simply no excuse for this."

Responding to the figures, consumer watchdog Which? believes that its own energy company comparison tools could save people even more than the £150 calculated by Ofgem.

Eleanor Barnes of Which? said: "On average, households switching energy suppliers for the first time through switchwithwhich.co.uk save £250 per year, £100 more than the estimate for first-time switches included in Ofgem's figures.

"Which? urges customers who remain with those energy suppliers with dominant market shares to consider switching and to shop around in order to make the most informed choice of energy supplier. We endorse the need for switching services to provide genuinely impartial and full information about all suppliers and tariffs to customers who are considering switching."

However, if the high prices are still causing thermostats to be turned down and shivers when the bill arrives, good news is on the horizon - but becoming an energy tart is still set to be the rage.

Mr Schofield said: "Energy prices have peaked for the time being and should start to fall over the coming months, but they remain historically high so we urge those who haven’t yet compared their current provider with others on the market to take action."

He added: "An average gas and electricity bill now costs as much as £631 and £377 respectively per year, according to moneysupermarket.com. Someone on a standard British Gas tariff paying £1,056 on average per year could save £144 annually by switching to Scottish Power. Opting for an online tariff could save as much as £200 per year."