Energy Meter Users Cutting Themselves Off To Save Costs...posted on 13 December 2011 | posted in General Category | ( 1 ) CommentsHundreds of thousands of UK households with pre-payment meters have chosen to go without energy at least once in the past year, and with the cold weather of winter now upon us it seems more and more people are doing the same... Leading up to the winter months and christmas I have heard numerous people say that they are struggling with energy bills and after looking into this some more, I blame it on a lack of cash and inconvenience, and it's about time suppliers started to make meters cheaper and simpler. There are approx 1.4 million people, many in vulnerable groups, effectively cutting off their own energy. In the UK today there are nearly nine million people that live in homes where gas and electricity is paid via a pre-payment meter. Half of the households that effectively disconnected their energy supply last year included someone with an illness or disability, with two in five housing children under the age of 16. Energy companies said they do a huge amount to help vulnerable customers. Industry bodies have said that safeguards were in place to prevent those who were short of cash from being disconnected. Some people prefer payment meters - even though they were more expensive - because it gives them control over their budget. But even though some people were choosing not to top up their meter, there is still a concern that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable consumers were walking a tightrope between topping up their energy to stay warm or buying a decent meal. So surely paying for a service in advance shouldn't mean getting a second-class service? Energy firms could transform the experience of customers by bringing pre-payment meters into the 21st century, making it easier to top up and avoid being cut off. Suppliers shoul make it easier for people to top up their energy credit by introducing online, cashpoint and text message facilities. They should also conduct better checks of vulnerable consumers before meters are installed - and to guarantee they would not be cut off at night or at the weekend. If you have problems with meters and would like advice on how you can come off them, please contact Integrity Financial Services Limited now on 01743 272900. We can advise how you can come off pre-payment meters and get cheaper bills and remember you do not have to go with the 'Big 6' energy companies... Share this blog entry:
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