This free scheme could cut over £230 from your bills – and it takes mi | Personal Finance | Finance
Millions of households are missing out on a free initiative that could cut up to £237 from their annual energy bill. The Switch Together Initiative is completely free, and allows families across the UK to negotiate cheaper energy tariffs from their suppliers.
Switch Together is run by energy experts and partners with local councils, including Kent County Council and Essex County Council, to give local communities more control over their tariffs. Households that sign up before the January deadline are grouped together and offered exclusive tariff rates by energy suppliers. Companies like British Gas and Octopus energy then compete for the rights to supply your house with energy by offering competitive fixed-rate deals.
On average, those who take part in the scheme save £237 on their energy tariff every year. Households also unlock extra deals on eco-friendly products like solar panels and battery storage.
The sign up process is free, takes minutes and is done entirely online through a form. Switch Together says: “The questions will focus on your home to assess your eligibility. Behind the scenes, we run an auction where vetted installers bid to offer the best value and quality. We’ll email you a detailed offer based on your home and the auction results. It includes estimated costs, your installer info, and potential savings.”
Deadlines to sign up vary by council, but usually fall in either late January or February. After the deadline passes the auction will take place, and your household will receive an offer.
The Switch Together Initiative has no strings attached – you can walk away even after being offered an exclusive tariff, and there are no hidden fees. Every offer is personal, so the group of buyers are under no pressure to make a unanimous decision.
The scheme began in 2012, and was previously known as the Big Community Switch. Since then, iChoosr, the group of experts who run Switch Together, say they have helped Brits save £47 million.
Thrifty families will be eager to cut costs this winter, as heating bills rise and temperatures drop. British gas recently recomended to only cook on certain hours on Fridays to help households save on extortionate energy costs.
