Many households could see their energy bills increase next month, according to the price comparison website, {GoCompare.com}

Eight fixed-rate tariffs from providers such as British Gas and EDF Energy are due to expire and customers will be automatically switched to their supplier’s standard rate option.

Gocompare.com states that most households will see their bills rise by an average of £77 per year, but others could experience further growth.

The site says: “Households in the East Midlands and who are on the EDF Energy Blue+Price Promise August 2015 tariff will be hit the hardest, with a huge £136.59 – 13.62% – rise when they are automatically switched to the EDF Energy standard tariff.”

Although the switch will be bad news for the majority, some British Gas and Sainsbury’s Energy customers could see their bills drop by up to £60 when their deal ends.

Gocompare advises all customers that find themselves on a standard tariff to search for a cheaper deal online, which could cut their bills by up to £300.

Source: 1 Clarkson, D. (2015) ‘Energy bills ‘to soar as cheap deals end’’, Metro, 20 August, p.22

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It is important that energy users and bill payers are aware of the tariff being charged for their electricity/gas energy and the date of the next and subsequent bills. This is true whether or not the user is on a quarterly (cash) bill,  on a monthly direct debit with annual summary or pays using an electronic  "key". 

If you can, do NOT wait for the meter reader to call, but provide one or more customer meeting readings. Where the supplier(s) depend on estimated usage they will average the usage between the current and future tariffs based on the number ratio of the number of days of supply.