Pre-Payment Tariff May Give Cost Savings As Well As Energy Savings

Recently, much has been made of the potential long-term benefits of smart energy meters. Not only will they help save consumers money, their supporters argue, but they will also help the UK to dramatically reduce its overall carbon emission levels and reach ambitious European Union-wide environmental targets.

However, while these points will take many years to be proven, consumers with pre-pay meters installed in their homes are celebrating right now, with one of the country's major suppliers having announced that it is to reduce its tariffs over the winter months.

Under the new initiative, a leading Energy provider has confirmed that it is to issue credit worth around £12 to all of its customers with pre-pay meters fitted in their homes.

Since the company supplies power through several different brands, it is expected that as many as 300,000 homes will benefit from the scheme at a time when they are likely to be spending the most amount of money on heating.

Announcing the news, a representative of the energy supplier said: "This credit is designed to help all our gas prepayment tariff customers during the months in which they use most gas and goes alongside the wide range of services and help we offer to all of our energy customers."

Of course, £12 may not seem much, particularly given the rate at which household utilities bills have increased over the past few years, and consumers would still be well-advised to keep their minds open, shop around and switch utilities suppliers if appropriate.

What's more, consumers would also be wise to look into the benefits of standard tariffs, as the energy company has pointed out the £12 discount stands in contrast to the £18 extra a year its pre-pay customers are charged.

However, when combined with the new sense of energy frugality that appears to be sweeping the nation, it will certainly go some way towards helping many households keep their costs down this winter.

Growing numbers of households are now making a concerted effort to switch off electrical appliances when they are not in use, or to close doors and fit heavy curtains so as to preserve heat in the home. This will go a long way to reducing their energy bills without any added help from their provider.

If you would like to know more about Utilities bills why not ask AnswerBank Home and Garden.