TV, radio and newspapers have lately mentioned gas and electricity companies in the UK that either already have raised their prices or are likely to do so imminently. Now might be a good time to check whether you are getting a good deal on your gas and electricity prices or not and the internet is making this easier than ever.

I have only been in the UK for 1½ years (this time around) so the various price comparison websites where new to me. I wanted to be certain I really was getting the best deal around (with a family of 6 and lots of gadgets around the house, our gas and electricity usage is quite high). So I entered our address and usage details on several comparison websites at the same time. I needn’t have bothered as they all came up with the exact same results. When I was recently involved in an IT project at an insurance comparison website, I discovered that this one company had several differently named comparison websites, each looking different from the others. I don’t have the exact numbers, but there are way fewer companies involved in this business than the comparison websites out there seem to suggest. So it is almost definitely don’t bother trying to find the comparison website that finds the absolutely cheapest deal, just use the one that appeals the most to you because of the colour scheme, the logo or whatever takes your fancy.

I personally prefer Moneysupermarket.com as I find it slightly easier to use than others. I would also recommend that you visit whichever one you fancy using regularly. When I once used one of the comparison websites it showed a particular product as being cheaper than the one I was on even though both where from the same gas and electricity supplier. I went online at my supplier and tried switching plans there, but couldn’t find the product that had come up at the comparison website. I called customer support who told me that it wasn’t available for another week, but they would switch me over automatically. Excellent I thought, so 6 months later when the comparison website showed a new product from my supplier even cheaper again I thought I would be switched over automatically again. Silly me, why would the supplier do something as simple as that just to keep me happy? So a couple of months later I called customer support and asked why I had not been switched over this time when they had done it the previous time? Well, I’ve learnt my lesson, and I now check at least once a quarter whether I am on the cheapest plan.

I have also tried switching from one supplier to another, and it really is completely painless. It does however take some time, so if you find that you are on an uncompetitive plan compared to other plans; make the switch as quickly as you can. Having not been in the UK for longer than I have, I can’t say for certain what I have saved, but several of the comparison websites claim that you can save up to £ 325, but apparently an average of £140 is more likely. That is not bad for maybe 1 hours work, and remember thats after you have paid taxes on it!

Below is a list of some of the comparison websites, and yes, I get some money if you use one of them to switch plans with, but even then it is still a good idea to use them.