How do I know if I need to switch supplier?

1. £ £ Standing Charges PRICE Length of contract EXIT fees How do I know if I need to switch supplier? £ Tenancy Agreements Ways to pay Tariffs £ Customer Service  DISCOUNTS £

2. What information do I need to know before I can compare energy prices?

3. Where can I find this information? Call your supplier All of this can be found on your annual statement or you could call your supplier.

4. What information is on my annual statement? • Your tariff name. • The discounts that you are currently receiving. • Your usage for the last 12 months. • An estimate of your usage and costs for the following 12 months if you stay on the same tariff. • Conditions of your contract such as the length of time or any exit fees. Since 2010 energy companies have been required to send an annual statement.

5. The Switching Process Use our advisor to Start switching process Gather all of the information you need. or Sign up to the new tariff. There is a 14 day cooling off period. contact a website with the Ofgem logo either online or by phone uswitch 0333 321 6808 Whichswitch 01992 822 867 Give meter readings to your new supplier. Current supplier will bill you for any outstanding money owed. Ensure that new direct debit is set up and the old one is cancelled if this is your payment type. Switch Complete

6. When you may not be able to switch. • If you owe your supplier a debt and you do not have a prepayment meter. • If you owe your supplier a debt of over £500 per fuel – even if you have a pre-payment meter. • If you pay your landlord directly for your energy usage. • If your lease specifies that you cannot change supplier – although this is very rare.

7. Warm Home Discount – The Core Group This is a discount that gives you £140 off your electricity bill this winter. If you are in the ‘core group’ you should get it automatically applied to your bill. To be in the ‘core group’ you must get Guarantee Credit added to your state pension. If you want to check that you are getting this you can call us on 01384 817086 or DWP on 0345 603 9439

8. Warm Home Discount – The Broader Groups Each electricity supplier can also sign up and create their own broader group of people who can apply for the discount. Each company has their own rules about who is eligible for their discounts – however they tend to give them to low income households, especially those with disabled occupants or children under 5. The number of people that can apply is limited and they are offered on a first come first served basis. You must re-apply each winter to get this discount. If in doubt try to apply – don’t miss out!

9. Payment Methods Certain payment methods can get you discounts. This is sometimes a quick way of saving money without changing your provider or your tariff. It is important to think about how often you are able to pay and how much you can pay at a time. Some payment methods suit people with regular incomes, some payment methods are better for those people who use the internet to manage their bills, some payment methods do not get you any discounts.

10. Ways of Paying your Bill Changing the way that you pay your bill could save you money. Different payment methods suit different people.

12. The Priority Service Register This means that you get an extra degree of support from your energy provider including things like; • Priority supply reconnection if there is a power cut or gas cut off. • Priority support if you have electrical medical equipment such as a stairlift. • Meter reading service. • Free gas safety checks. • Special controls and adaptations for some devices. • Bill nominees and password schemes. This is designed to give you more peace of mind and to ensure that you are safe and warm in your home. You have to call your supplier to find out if you are able to register on their scheme.

13. Network Operators These are the companies that transport the gas and electricity to your house. Electricity across the borough comes from They also have a priority service register – which you can sign up to by calling 08457 240 240. Gas is managed by Who can be contacted on 0800 111 999

14. ECO This is a government funded project that aims to get new boilers and better heating into houses that have low incomes. Most funding is given to households that get income related benefits or residents who are disabled, ill elderly or have young children. To find out if you might qualify for a boiler replacement or insulation please contact your energy supplier.

15. ECOInsulation and Boiler replacement ECOInsulation and Boiler replacement There are qualifying criteria to be eligible for this funding. To find out if you qualify; • Dudley Winter Warmth Support – 01384 817086 • Contact the supplier directly. • Citizens Advice Consumer helpline – 08454 04 05 06

16. What to do next? If you want free support or advice about any issues to do with your energy use, reducing the cost of heating your home or making any of the changes listed in this booklet please call: 01384 817086.