Energy switching services are companies that have come to exist since the EU began deregulating the gas and electricity markets, to open them to competition, in 1996.UK energy markets deregulated in 1996. Article retrieved 4 October 2013 https://www.theenergyshop.com/HomeEnergy/advice-guides-deregulationHistory#.Uk6mZ00xhkg Progress has been uneven across member countries, but in the UK there is now open competition among suppliers. Pricing structures and special offers are often complicated enough that it's not obvious which supplier and tariff will be best value for a consumer. This has provided an opportunity for specialist price comparison services. These are chiefly offered by companies who will manage a change to a different supplier and tariff, as well as advising on the best one. These companies primarily operate over the Web, although some also offer a telephone service.

Regulation

Energy switching companies usually operate on a commission model, where they are paid a flat fee by a supplier for each customer that they persuade to switch. This has been the cause of some controversy. In order to ensure that advice remains impartial,

energywatch The New National Consumer Council, operating as Consumer Futures, was a non-departmental public body and statutory consumer organisation in England, Wales, Scotland, and, for postal services, Northern Ireland. It was established by the Consumers, ...

, the UK gas and electricity watchdog, operates a voluntary code of conduct. To be accredited under the code, switching companies must satisfy Energywatch that: # They are independent of gas and electricity suppliers, do not accept advertisements, and state where they receive commission # They include

like for like Like for like (LFL) growth is a measure of growth in sales, adjusted for new or divested businesses. This is a widely used indicator of retailers' current trading performance. The adjustment is important in businesses that show a significant dynami ...

price comparisons for all currently available tariffs for all licensed suppliers (for gas, electricity and dual fuel) # They run their own website and use their own tariff database and calculator # The payment methods offered include standard credit by cash/cheque, monthly and quarterly direct debit, and prepayment meter # They must list prices from no fewer than five of the cheapest suppliers, and the prices must include

VAT A value-added tax (VAT), known in some countries as a goods and services tax (GST), is a type of tax that is assessed incrementally. It is levied on the price of a product or service at each stage of production, distribution, or sale to the en ...

# They provide, or direct customers towards, information on quality of service issues and energy efficiency programmes # They provide accurate price comparisons and state when prices were last updated.

References and external links

*
Price comparison services
''

''
Gas and electricity price comparison services
''

Business Advisory Service Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or buying and selling products (such as goods and services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for profit." Having a business name does not separ ...

''
Business Utility Comparison Website
{{Energy in the United Kingdom, sources Energy in the United Kingdom

Regulation

See also

References and external links