British Gas Suspend Doorstep Sales

British Gas have today announced that they are suspending doorstep energy sales for the next 3 months.

full details can be found here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14505027

This move follows Scottish and Southern's decision to end doorstep sales following allegations of mis-selling and is the result of a Customer Focus campaign.

We advise anyone seeking a better deal for their domestic energy to check our independent and impartial comparison site http://www.getmecheapbills.com which lists ALL UK suppliers and deals and allows customers to choose the best deal for themselves, according to a number of relevent criteria. Our comparison site is fully accredited to the Customer Focus Confidence Code -

http://http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/assets/1/files/2009/11/154_20081017141314_e_@@_Consumer_Focus_Confidence_Code.pdf

Details of the code can be found at

British Gas Announce Price Rises

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14077651

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/8625125/British-Gas-raises-prices-by-18pc.html


British Gas have today announced electic price rises of 16& and gas price rises of 18% to come into force in Mid August.

The changes will affect 9 million households to an average increase of £190 / year.

All domestic customers, and particularly Brish Gas customers should consider switching immediately using http://www.getmecheapbills.com and locking themselves into a FIXED PRICE deal before the best products are withdrawn.

Scottish Power have already announced substantial price increases and the other energy suppliers are certain to follow suit in the coming weeks.

OFGEM Press Release

SUPPLY COMPANIES FAILING CONSUMERS: OFGEM PROPOSES RADICAL OVERHAUL

 Ofgem proposes sweeping away complex and unfair pricing practices
 Big Six required to auction up to 20 per cent of their electricity generation output
 Firms risk facing a Competition Commission referral this year if they frustrate reforms
 Investigation launched into Scottish Power’s standard credit prices
 Ofgem to appoint independent accountants to improve accounting disclosures
 Ofgem to review whether energy companies are frustrating switching in the non-domestic market

Ofgem’s Chairman Lord Mogg said: “Ofgem’s proposals should force open the electricity and gas markets to ensure the market works effectively for consumers. The energy supply companies have eight weeks in which to engage constructively with Ofgem’s proposals.

If firms frustrate reforms they risk ending up at the Competition Commission (CC). This is a holistic package of changes. We will also discuss with Government, if we believe our consumer protection powers need reinforcement.”

Ofgem’s review found that competition is being stifled by a combination of tariff complexity, poor supplier behaviour, and lack of transparency. Further, the degree of influence the big six assert on the retail market has not diminished since Ofgem’s 2008 probe. The clearest example, being the finding that for the first time there is evidence that the Big Six have adjusted prices in response to rising costs more quickly than they reduced them when costs fell.

Chief Executive Alistair Buchanan said: “Energy companies have failed to play it straight with consumers and so Ofgem is proposing to break the stranglehold the Big Six have over the electricity market by making them auction up to 20 per cent of their generation output. This would increase price transparency and make it easier for new players to enter the retail market.

“Consumers have told us that energy suppliers’ prices are too complicated. It is no surprise that they are bamboozled when tariff complexity has increased from 180 to more than 300 since 2008. That is why we are planning to sweep away this complexity so suppliers’ prices are fully exposed to allow easy price comparisons.

“We are also backing these reforms with a tough approach to enforcement. Consumers must have confidence that energy companies are playing fair at a time when they are being asked to foot the £200 billion bill to pay for the investment Britain needs to ensure secure and sustainable energy supplies.”

Today Ofgem also announced a new investigation into Scottish Power and is exploring whether it needs to bring similar actions in the non domestic market (where the concerns rest on switching being frustrated). This is in addition to an ongoing investigation into British Gas, EDF Energy and npower and into how they handle consumers’ complaints. Finally our investigations into misselling by EDF Energy, npower, Scottish Power, and Scottish and Southern Energy are also continuing.
Another finding of the review is that in general the companies’ response to the 2008 Probe reforms has been disappointingly poor. Ofgem proposes to strengthen the existing reforms and pursue companies with appropriate enforcement action if they fail to implement them.
Further, the company accounting disclosures, required by the Probe, have led Ofgem to call in an independent accountancy firm to examine forensically companies’ returns. Ofgem is also considering whether more needs to be done to help vulnerable consumers in addition to its five proposals. This may involve us liaising with government about additional consumer protection powers.

Full details can be found here
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/media/pressrel/Documents1/RMRFinal%20Final.pdf

We Go The Extra Mile (or 5000)

At Phoenix Energy we believe in going the extra mile in order to help our customers and clients. We offer a personal service - all phone calls are answered or returned personally and all e-mails are returned. Being a small company we are able to respond to the individual needs of our customers - even extending to arranging electricity meter appointments and energy contracts from a beach in Floida. We believe this level of service, if not unique, is certainly refreshing in these times.

As a bit of fun I have attached some 'holiday snaps' showing examples of water and electricity infrastructure in USA / Mexico. I personally feel a bit uncomfortable with electricity meters nailed to a lamp post, especially during tropical storms, and as for transformers transformers on the beach !

Power Transformers - Jamaican Style! A bit messy in the streets! More wires than Bob Marley has dreadlocks!

Electric meters - Mexico. I like the fact that they are outside of businesses, would make my life much easier if NEDL did this

. Power transforners on the beach! This has GOT to be dangerous! The equipment is rusty

! American electricity infrastructure - they can put men on the moon but not electricity underground!

This isn't the Hollywood Walk of Fame - its water meters in Key West!

American electrical supply and metering - outdoors on street (very neat job)

We are specialists in utility infrastructure work - we help builders and property developers to get new electricity, gas, water and telephone connections into new build and converted properties - we can also help with sewerage work! Our work has included everything from a meter move to the utility infrastructure for an industrial estate (and most things in between)

Call us to arrange free site visit and quotation. 0800 458 6460

Domestic Energy Prices Rising Again

"The energy price rises we've been expecting for months have finally arrived."

Scottish Power is the first energy company to announce huge increases to the cost of their standard gas and electricity, with rises of 19 and 10 per cent respectively. Taking effect on August 1st 2011 these price rises will add £175 to the average cost of a yearly bill and affect 2.4 million households. On a national scale this adds an extra £420 million to Scottish Power customers' annual bills.

"Now really is the time to get on to the best priced energy tariff for your usage level and area you live. The cheapest online energy tariff is currently Online Saver 10 offered by EDF Energy with average annual bills of £940*. Bearing in mind historical energy market price rises, it's highly likely the other energy providers will follow suit. In the face of rising prices, opting for the market leading fixed product Fix Saver v2, from EDF Energy with average bills of £1,009 is the best way to safeguard against further price increases from the energy giants.

"A recent moneysupermarket.com survey showed 30 per cent of Brits would only need to see their outgoings increase by less than £100 a month before it became impossible to meet every day living costs**.


The same research found 19 per cent of people felt the rising cost of paying utility bills such as heating was causing the biggest strain on their finances. With a increase of this size in one fell swoop, UK consumers could soon find themselves in hot water when faced with energy bills they may not be able to afford.

"Scottish Power customers changing to the best priced tariff today would see average annual savings of £446. Shopping around using a price comparison site for the best value energy product is vital and I urge everyone worried about the cost of their bills to act quickly as the best priced products are unlikely to be available for long

Customers can review their energy bills at http://www.getmecheapbills.com and switch online in a few minutes and fix rates before the next set of price increases.

There will be further announcements soon from the other providers - who will be next to increase prices.

Are Your Energy Bills About to go Up?

Price Alert - Energy plans Ending

The following energy plans are ending shortly

British Gas - Websaver6 - 1st May 2011

E.ON - FixOnline7 - 1st May 2011

E.ON - Track & Save Version 4 - 1st June 2011

npower - Sign Online v18 - 30th June 2011

EDF Energy - Online S@ver6 - 30th June 2011

Sainsbury's Energy - Online S@ver6 - 30th June 2011

EDF Energy - Annual Fix v3 - 30th June 2011

British Gas - Price Promise June 2011 - 30th June 2011

You could be automatically moved onto a more expensive 'Standard' plan at the end of your price fix - this could be considerably more than the prive you are currently paying - up to £242! ( based on average use Scottish Power standard vs Online Energy Saver 14)


Check you plan now to ensure you dont get caught out!

If you have never swiched you could save a considerable amount of money at

http://www.getmecheapbills.com

OFGEM Press Release re Price Increases

OFGEM MAKES ENERGY SUPPLIERS GIVE 30 DAYS ADVANCE NOTICE OF PRICE RISES

• Ofgem confirms household energy suppliers must give customers at least 30 days notification of price increases

• New rule also means that consumers must have 30 days advance notice of any change in their contract which leaves them significantly worse off

• Advance notification of price increases builds on Ofgem’s proposed reforms which aim to sweep away complexity in energy pricing Ofgem has today confirmed new rules that mean energy suppliers must give consumers at least 30 days advance notice before putting up their prices. The changes come into effect on 28 April 2011. This means that suppliers have 30 days in which to put these changes into practice.

Rest of press release. http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/PressRel/Documents1/30%20day%20rule%20280311.pdf

This is not before time - I cannot think of any other area of life where a supplier can increase prices and not tell a customer till afterwards (up to 90days previously) If your supplier informs you of a price increase check out the other prices available from ALL Suppliers at http://www.getmecheapbills.com/ and make a fair comparison.

Do not stand for bad treatment and high prices from your supplier.

As an aside, Utility Warehouse announced a price increase in certain areas of the country last week, to take place at 7 days notice! In the spirit of the new OFGEM ruling will they be postponing this increase for 30 days?

EDF Energy Last of Big 6 to Raise Domestic Energy Prices

EDF Energy is to increase gas prices by 6.5% and electricity prices by 7.5% from 2 March, the company has said.

The company is the last of the "big six" energy firms to increase prices, and it follows a heavily-promoted decision to freeze prices over the winter.

EDF blamed wholesale costs and other charges for the change.

Energy regulator Ofgem is currently investigating the prices charged to domestic customers.

Price changes

The move from EDF comes the day before E.On's price change comes into effect. E.On's customers will be subject to an average 9% increase in electricity prices and a 3% rise in gas prices.

In the last week of November, Scottish Power increased electricity bills by an average of 8.9% and prices for gas customers increased by an average of 2%.

Scottish and Southern Energy followed by putting up its domestic gas tariffs by 9.4% at the start of December.

The 7% rise in gas and electricity bills for British Gas customers started on 10 December.

Npower customers saw their gas and electricity bills rise by 5.1% on 4 January.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12359722 - for further details

VAT Increases and Exempt Businesses.

The Standard rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) rose today from 17.5% to 20%.

In line with curent legislation, there are two rates of VAT applicable to the supplies of electricity and gas used for business and non domestic purposes.

• Standard rate
• Reduced rate

Where an electricity or gas supply is used wholly or partially for domestic or charitable non-business use, that part of the supply qualifies for the reduced rate of VAT. This is known as 'qualifying use.'

Examples of businesses which can qualify for reduced rate VAT on the ground of domestic use include

• Self-containned duelling such as houses or flats (applicable to pubs)
• Job-related accomodation (vicarages, manse etc)
• Monastry, nunnery or similar
• Residential accodation for Armed Forces
• Residential Homes for children, old people etc
• Hospice or palliative care
• Caravan parks / holiday accomodation
• Shower blocks
• Staff accomodation in hotels etc
• Residential accomodation in school
• Ancillary rooms used by boarders
• Landlord supplies

In addition to the domestic usage as listed above, certain other types of supply are considered to be non-business usage and charged at the reduced rate

• Charities
• Churches and other places of worship
• Village halls / community centres / leisure centres etc
• Educational establishments

Within each catorgory there are rules governing what activities are governed by the regulations, not all businesses will qualify and it is also possible to have mixed usage where a proportion of the energy bill is charged 20% for VAT and the rest is charged at 5%.

It is very important for anyone running a business or commercial or charitable activity, as listed abot to consult their accountant for advice or FREE ADVICE can be given on this subject by calling John at Phoenix Energy on 07974 387 218 or 0800 458 64 60

Now that the VAT rate has changed it is more important than ever to ensure that your organisation is paying the correct rate, particularly if you do not have provision to reclaim VAT.

All businessses using less than 12000 kWh / annum of electricity or 73200 kWh /annum currently pay rate at the reduced rate.

New Year's Resolution Anyone?

Happy New Year to Phoenix Energy customers old and new.



A new year is often the time for people to make New Year's Resolutions - lose some weight, stop smoking, get fit - but probably the most common resolution is to save money! Most of the big 6 energy suppliers, and a few small ones, have recently treated us to a round of pre-Xmas festive price rises - very seasonal of them! Combined with the worst December weather for 120 years mean that millions of people will get nasty suprises when the electricity / gas bills arrive on doormats shortly!



Phoenix Energy offer our domestic customers a way to cut their energy bills. It is probable that anyone who has never switched, would be able to pay even less money than last year, despite the price hikes. We offer a range of fixed, capped, internet only, green energy and pre-payment deals to suit every customer, however large or small their bill and however the customer wishes to pay. Our domestic site is called GET ME CHEAP BILLS . COM and can be accessed via this link



http://www.getmecheapbills.com/



For business customers, without the price protections afforded to domestic customers, the price rises have been much more steep. Another effect of the business market is that many businesses sign long energy contracts of 3-5 years and anyone coming off a fixed contract in the last year will have had to renew at a significantly higher price than previously obtained.








The graph above shows wholesale gas costs, which is one of the main factors affecting energy prices.


I have tabulated below the typical aquisation tariff for one of the leading energy suppliers for a typical small business customer over the last year.


March 2011 - 10.69p
December 2010 - 10.45p
October 2010 - 10.35p
July 2010 - 8.70p
April 2010 - 8.78p
December 2009 - 8.92p


There are many types of business electricity meters and different rates across the country, and sometimes a supplier is more competitively priced at certain periods of the year but the overall price rise is 16.5% between the dates shown, (with a small decrease in the summer) follows the market trend and should be indicative of future energy costs.


Phoenix Energy offer a range of different suppliers and also different tariff lengths to meet the needs of all UK businesses.


To obtain a no - obligation price quote, for up to 120 days ahead please call 0800 458 6460


Please also use this number for any other queries or information.


If your contract is not due to expire yet please contain us for details of how we can help you with your energy renewals and to ensure that you handle the termination process correctly to avoid being 'rolled over'. We offer a free of charge service to our customers and can contact your supplier on your behalf to facilitate a trouble free transfer.