Saving money on your energy bills

2. Energy Plans – What do they mean?

Like other sectors, energy companies offer a number of tariffs to suit the varying needs of the consumers they provide. The plans offered are usually a reflection of this with a number of factors taken into account.

These include:

• The number of sources of energy you require (gas and/or electricity) = Single or dual fuel
• How you want to manage your account = Standard or Online
• If you have storage heaters and so need cheaper energy at night = Economy 7
• The option to use energy made from renewable sources – green tariffs
• If you want to collect points for award schemes such as clubcards
• If you wish to fix the price you are paying per unit of energy for a set amount of time or not
• The method of payment you choose to use
• When you are more likely to use your energy
• Whether you want to pay a standing charge or not (a standing charge is a fixed daily amount charged to users in return for slightly cheaper units)

If you are to save money on your current energy bills, you need to know which plan you are currently on and if it is working for you. There is money to be saved from switching plans so this is a compareandsave hotspot.

Once you know what plan you are on, you can look to see if it is right for you by breaking it down bit by bit.

• Next page: How to read your gas and electricity meters
• Previous page: Energy companies

Guide contents

1. Energy companies
2. Energy plans – what do they mean?
3. How to read your gas and electricity meters
4. How energy bills are worked out
5. How to read your energy bills
6. Energy payment options – which one is best for you?
7. Dual fuel discount
8. What is Economy 7?
9. Switching energy companies
10. Green tips to cut gas and electricity bills
11. Helpful contacts for gas and electricity information