Npower sparks further utility bill competition

Npower has unveiled a market-leading utility bill tariff for those who choose to pay online with direct debit.
Consumers hoping to keep their utility bill costs down this winter are being offered an early Christmas present from Npower, which has announced a new market-leading tariff.As competition among energy providers increases, customers could see their utility bills drop to as low as £907 a year by taking up Npower's new Sign Online 17 Dual Fuel package.
Although providers such as British Gas, E.ON and EDF Energy currently beat the new tariff when customers choose to pay on receipt of the bill, those opting for monthly direct debit payments will have the best price on the market.
Will Marples, energy expert at uSwitch.com, said that online direct debit plans are currently offering average savings of £297 a year - £349 with the Npower deal - and those looking to reduce their utility bill costs should be looking to take up these options.
"It is good to see suppliers continuing to offer new competitive online tariffs, providing customers with more choice and better savings - particularly in the run up to Christmas.
"But people still need to wake up to the benefits of moving online. Just five per cent or 1.3 million households are on online energy plans," he explained.
It was recently announced that energy suppliers are to give all 26 million homes in the UK the chance to have a smart meter fitted, widely viewed as one way to save money on utility bills, as well as providing a step towards a more efficient grid system.
Written by Karen Eliot
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