Are you thinking of switching boiler cover provider? Are you disappointed with the service you get from your energy company, and want to use another gas and electricity supplier? Switching gas boiler cover firms and energy firms might seem like a lot of hassle, but it’s actually very simple – call 247 Home Rescue on 0345 3192 247 for advice and guidance.
It’s getting easier and easier to switch energy suppliers, and it should be even simpler to do so by the end of 2014, as Ofgem recently approved supplier’s proposals to cut the length of time it takes to complete a switch to just three days.
Furthermore, when customers sign up to a new supplier, they will benefit from a 14-daty cooling off period, which allows them to change their mind, end their new contract and revert to their former supplier.
Currently, switching energy provider takes an average of five weeks, including the statutory two-week cooling off period and the three weeks of actual switching. Cutting the three-week period to three days will therefore make it take just half as long to switch energy suppliers, but it should take even less time by 2018, as Ofgem intends to set up next-day switching procedures by December 2018.
One-day switching will help consumers take advantage of smart meter technology – which is also set to be rolled-out nationwide by 2018 – paving the way for simple, reliable and easy switching. Switching to the most appropriate energy supplier can save people more than £200 a year.
Ofgem intends to investigate those energy suppliers who do not allow fast switching times and will potentially levy fines against those who fail to meet their new requirements.
These new requirements will not necessarily apply to boiler cover or other additional services, although they are likely to make an impact on the amount of time it takes to switch boiler breakdown cover. The faster switching times will be supported by infrastructure investments such as new IT systems and better communication between suppliers, and should therefore see energy companies reducing the length of time it takes to change boiler cover provider or for customers to amend or review any aspect of their service plans.
Chief Executive Officer of the energy regulator Dermot Nolan pointed out that it currently takes seven days to switch bank accounts and “just a couple” of days to change mobile phone network providers, but switching energy suppliers takes “significantly longer”.
British energy consumers want a switching process that is “reliable and efficient”, he remarked, saying that people can be dissuaded from switching because of concerns that the switching process can go wrong.
Now that Ofgem has moved to make the energy market fairer, clearer and simpler, it is now enhancing the switching process, Mr Nolan said.
He added that he hopes consumers will become more confident about “shopping around”.
If you want help or assistance switching energy supplier or finding the right boiler breakdown cover, contact the team at 247 Home Rescue to see what we could do for you!
