Whether you’re running a business, own a home or you have a rental apartment, the high energy bills will always be a problem. With the continuous rise of the electricity bills, most individuals find themselves in a financial crisis from time to time, not knowing what to do.
That’s why sometimes, no matter how much preference you have for your supplier, you might be pushed into reconsidering your choice. Not only to fit into the crowd, but also to keep up with the hard economic times. So, if you still find yourself confused, the following signs should give you the go-ahead that you need to make a change.
Reasons for Changing Your Energy Supplier
There are several reasons or signs, showing you that is could be a good moment to replace your energy supplier, but if you ignore them you may end-up paying much higher bills than other users.
1. Your Bills Are Constantly High
One of the major reasons that should make you want to stick to your current provider, should be because of their pricing. If that makes you happy, then you might want to settle down for a while. But what happens if that’s no longer happening? What if suddenly your utility bill takes an irreversible hike? You will obviously start considering other options.
You see, better energy management allows both individuals and businesses to achieve their annual savings target.
Therefore, taking your time to research the market from time to time, will enable you a smooth transition to a cost-effective energy provider in your location. And this contributes a greater percentage of comprehensive and effective strategic management.
Therefore, the next time you conduct an audit and identify those key areas that you could use to save up some bucks in your bank account, you know it’s time to switch energy supplier. And by the way, this is one of the quickest and simplest ways to ensure you achieve other supportive utility objectives.
In fact, you will be surprised at how much you can save from the available avenues of various providers’ tariff comparison chart.
Yes, the difference might not seem much at a glance, but if your calculations spread to a few months or years, then you will realize how much you stand to gain. Remember, it’s the small wins that count.
2. It Doesn’t Work For You Anymore
Just like everything else, what works for one person might not necessarily work for others. Therefore, the moment you realize that after a given period of time both your electricity and gas consumption rates doesn’t meet your objectives then it’s time to consider a switch. Well, what use would be if isn’t helping you meet your goals?
Some energy suppliers simply won’t fit into your demand. Also, sometimes it has nothing to do with the relationship you share with your supplier, but the changes you want to make.
For instance, are you moving to a different location? are you planning on expanding the operation of your business? Are you incorporating the use of a technologically advanced tool that requires more power? Any kind of transition in your life gives you a golden opportunity to evaluate your choice, land a better deal or switch to the latest affordable supplier.
3. You Have Discovered Greener Options
Ever heard the common phrase ‘the grass is greener on the other side’?. Well, you can take that literally. With the current vigorous advocacy for energy conservation taking place globally, you might find yourself considering to join the movement.
By choosing to follow the green path, you need to find an alternative supply of power, and the current supplier may not fit into that. There are several energy utility providers that offer more renewable and sustainable energy options and that should give you enough reasons to move.
From hydro, wind, solar and biomass, you will never run out of options. However, ensure you equip yourself with relevant information concerning each choice so that you get the best out of it.
4. Non-Supportive Providers
Behind every satisfied customer, you can find a useful and friendly customer support. Therefore, like in every other business, your supplier is supposed to offer you the best service.
But if you find yourself in the position where they don’t answer when you need the most, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere, where you will be valued more. Every customer deserves that.
You also deserve that and much more because it’s your investment that keeps them running. So if they don’t recognize that from the start, then they don’t deserve your loyalty.
Be careful though, not to run from one unsatisfactory supplier straight into the arms of one that is worse. You can avoid this by evaluating their quality reviews.
Check out for common complaints and see the feedback they get. If you find them satisfying enough, then there shouldn’t be anything holding you back.
You can even reach out to some of their current consumers on a personal level and find out more. What we are trying to say here is that you shouldn’t accept getting dubbed all over again. The circle must stop at one point. And that requires you to act smartly.
5. You Have Been Using The Same Supplier Way Too Long
If you find yourself in a very long relationship with your energy supplier that you not even want to think to a new one maybe you should check what others are providing. What to do? Time for change! Actually, change is good.
It keeps you on your toes and expands your mind to new possibilities. So if you have been using the same provider for over a decade you can consider checking the others as well.
This is because most businesses have amazing new customer deals that run for some time (let’s say 3 to 6 months or even one year) after they automatically return to standard tariffs.
Therefore, you might be comfortable thinking you’re still enjoying the same rates at the time when you first joined, only to get disappointed.
Expiry of some privileges is the newest trend so you actually might be spending way too much than you had planned for from the start. And the only way to salvage yourself is by sourcing elsewhere.
If you can’t seem to find a motivation to do so, look at it as a new way of enjoying the pampering. It’s like receiving the kind of attention a newborn gets. Who doesn’t want that?
6. When Winter Is Fast Approaching And You Have No Fixed Tariff
If you just moved to a new location over the summer and signed up with a short term provider, then you might want to change something before the winter. Why? Because, due to the hot nature of the summer season, it’s pretty difficult to come up with a correct estimate of your household’s utility cost during the winter.
So, if your bills are already taking a toll on you, then imagine what is going to happen during the very cold months of the winter. You will obviously have to spend more even during the summer.
You cannot compare your expenditure during warmer periods with those of cold ones. Remember, you will have to use additional source of heat to warm the rooms during the winter, in fact, throughout the entire winter and that can only translate into one thing; outstanding bills. Can you survive with that? The answer to this question should give you the do the right thing.
7. When Energy Bills Are Set For a Rising
Many countries have various energy regulatory bodies in place to protect the interests of consumers.
To achieve this, they often announce the new prices from time to time, and this is the reason why you should always be on the lookout for any rumors concerning upcoming price hikes.
This could be from various news sources, close family members and even friends or neighbors. Also, even if your provider hasn’t announced any changes, one from a different supplier could be an indication that others will follow suit any time.
Therefore, instead of waiting to be surprised, ensure you have a plan B in place. Alternatively, you can wait for the major announcements, do proper comparisons and hop before good deals run out of stock. It’s a matter of time and prioritizing your interests.
8. You Are Indebted To Your Current Supplier
If you have been enjoying the services of a particular supplier for a while and in the processes ended up owing them, then you must be aware of how long-term debts can deprive your flexibility.
Therefore, it’s only prudent that you try switching once you have paid them in full. This will give you a good sampling opportunity that you might have been denied over the years. And you will be surprised at the way things have changed out there. A combination of cheaper deals and conservation options is what you need at such a time. Take the chance to free yourself.
9. There are Significant Changes In Your Home Or Your Life
If you have been working all your life and have been comfortable with a given tariff over the years, things might start changing when you retire.
Remember now that you will be spending more time inside the house, which means that there are some activities that you will do, and which you never did before. This can increase your energy consumption.
Thus a change is inevitable in such circumstances. The same case applies to when you purchase some large toys for children that require electric power for operation. Depending on how many times a day they play, a shift might come as the best option.
Additionally, if you purchase new and additional household appliances, your daily energy consumption will never be the same again. In this case, you have no choice but to move. Also, an increase or decrease in family members calls for changes.
10. You Want to Combine
Using both electricity and gas in your home means that you have to deal with two bills at the end of every month.
If that bothers you, you can do something to receive a single bill. And this isn’t the only benefit you’re going to enjoy, you will also get a customized bundle. But to get the best out of it, find providers of both services that offer discounted bundle deals and you will be saving up even more.
11. Most Of Your Neighbors Are Shifting
Sometimes there is no specific reason to change things in our life. We simply follow the trend and end up somewhere good or bad.
If your neighborhood is witnessing tremendous changes, especially when it comes to energy use, then is not good to lag behind. You need to join them as quickly as possible. For example, if they are all installing solar panels, then it could only mean that they see something good coming out of it.
You might not understand it at the moment, but all, the majority cannot be wrong. Besides, you could enjoy the advantages of the great deals that come with mass sales, which in the future could no longer be an option.
Still, some changes only apply to certain regions. Therefore, always ensure you keep yourself updated with the latest energy news in your location.
This is because, the introduction of technology in various parts of the world, have led to the adoption of several practices, some of which are in line with electricity use. Your local authority will let you know what, where and when to make those moves. Always be prepared for such things.
12. Your Supplier Is Getting Out Of Business
Although this doesn’t happen often, sometimes businesses do fail. And when that happens, consumers are left with no choice but to seek services elsewhere.
Therefore, if you find yourself in a similar situation and your supplier has provided you with a notice, then it’s a wake-up call to make some changes. However, you shouldn’t be hard on yourself, but rather seek help from another supplier with similar or way better services.
Utility bills are common discussions in our everyday lives because they affect our monthly income. Every home today works properly due to a decent energy consumption. And that means you will have to deal with relevant suppliers. However, while the market is flooded with many options, people still have preferences and that’s totally understandable.
But that doesn’t mean you ignore all the signs of searching for a new provider whenever necessary (don’t be lazy).
So, how will you know if you need a new one?
You can start by evaluating those high costs, look out for significant shifts in your neighborhood and see if there are any changes in your home-life.
If something has changed, maybe you also need to change something.
