An easy way to do something good for the environment is to switch to a Green Energy Tariff! Have a look below for more info...

How to switch?

Switching suppliers has become really very easy. You can do so on the internet or over the phone.

You can either look at a green supplier direct or use a comparison site. Good Energy, Octopus and Ecotricity all reinvest in green projects and go further than just supply but all suppliers will offer a green tariff. They have been good value in the past to encourage us to switch but with recent high prices they are less attractive. Having said that my own research this week found my green tariff was no more expensive than a standard one.

Switching is straightforward- you approach the company you want to move to and they do the rest. They will alert the old supplier, manage the transition and all you will be asked to do is submit a meter reading on the day of the switch. My Dad managed it without any assistance and he is 88 and not a fan of technology.

Please ask if you would like more information or practical help.

The Eco team will happily walk you through the process or you can find help from the Citizens Advice Bureau, Money Saving Expert, USwitch or Which all of whom are not commercial but have lots of help on their websites.

What is “green” energy?

Traditionally we have heated our homes gas, wood, coal or oil. We have used electricity to power our homes, and this is derived from the same natural resources. These products are called fossil fuels as they have energy in the form of carbon stored in them and derive from plants and animals trapped in the ground and subjected to pressure over hundreds of thousands of years. We burn the carbon which releases energy. 

This resource is finite and releases carbon into the atmosphere which heats up the world and causes climate change.

Green (or renewable or sustainable) energy is that which comes from the sun, wind or water and can be captured in wind turbines, solar panels or hydroelectric dams. It still has an environmental impact as we need to build the wind turbines and solar panels, but it is our best chance to move away from fossil fuels and reduce climate change.

What is a green energy tariff?

There is a national grid whose job is to supply energy to our homes and businesses. The National Grid maintains the infrastructure. The suppliers ( Ovo, Octopus, Southern Electricity, British gas)buy energy from producers  and manage its distribution to individuals. At the moment we cannot separate energy that is green from that which is not BUT the more we ask energy suppliers to buy from green sources the quicker we will be less reliant on fossil fuels. The UK as a whole, has done well and 2020 was the first year that we used 43% of energy from renewable sources and we lead the world in wind farm technology. REF: National Grid

Certain companies will supply more green energy that others- all companies will offer a green tariff and previously it has been more expensive. However, an internet search this week (via USwitch) for cheaper energy found that my current green supplier was the cheapest  tariff .

All energy bills are made up of the standing charge which is a fixed daily price to connect you to the National grid. The usage is then also charged and this depends on what you actually consume.