Scottish Power is offering consumers a brand new energy tariff that gives them a combination of heating cover and energy for £1,211 per year, on average. The uSwitch.com price comparison site noted that, although the online variety of Platinum Fixed Energy January 2014 is amongst the pricier new energy tariffs currently on the market, it has several additional benefits that others lack.

For instance, not only will Scottish Power’s energy tariffs be fixed until January 31st 2014, it will give its clients an energy monitor that normally sells in the shops for about £30. In addition, they will have the benefit of Home Comfort Standard boiler cover from Scottish Power, which normally costs about £152.52. Last, but not least, Scottish Power will also give its customers a 25% discount on insulation for cavity walls, which is usually worth roughly £75.

Tom Lyons, uSwitch.com energy expert, remarked that, for consumers who want an energy monitor and heating cover, and plan to have cavity wall insulation installed, Platinum Fixed Energy January 2014 offers a basic energy expense of £1,028, which is only £145 more costly than Save Online v2 from E.ON, currently the cheapest online plan, at £883. Scottish Power’s product, however, has the added benefit of ensuring that its customers have a fixed rate for almost four years.

According to Lyons, consumers who don’t wish to avail themselves of these benefits should shop around for a less expensive deal, and plans available online can be as much as £300 per year cheaper than the standard deals. He added that the deal was only the beginning of what he expects to become a succession of packaged plans for online customers. Recently, uSwitch.com called upon utility providers to ensure that their annual statements to their customers are as informative and clear as possible.

In spite of British Gas’ 98% profit increase last winter, due to an 8% rise in gas usage, the utility provider is giving mixed signals about whether or not it will raise its gas prices this winter. Consequently, industry experts are unsure of what the future holds, with some warning that prices will increase, while others maintain that rates may even drop further. Either way, consumers should visit an energy comparison site, such as uSwitch, to ensure that they’re getting the best possible deal on their utilities. Several of the lowest gas tariffs have risen recently, and, even without an overall price increase this winter, some of the cheapest deals are expected to rise further. Currently, the best deals are variable dual fuel tariffs, processed online and paid via direct debit each month. While it may seem wise to quit British Gas immediately, the utility provider still offers one of the lowest average household tariffs around. On the Websaver 8 rate, bills average £898.82 annually, while the standard annual rate is £1,157.27. British Gas clients who are currently on the standard tariff are well advised to switch energy tariffs to Websaver 8 in order to ease their frustration at the profit news from the utility giant. Homeowners can save even more if they switch electricity providers to Eon, which offers the SaveOnline v2 tariff, costing the average household £882.71 annually. Industry experts say that, although variable online tariffs are the best, this might be a good time to use uSwitch electricity and switch energy providers for a fixed-tariff deal. A fixed rate ensures that prices remain the same for the duration of the fixed period, usually a year. If consumers find a fixed tariff on uSwitch electricity that comes to about £900 annually, it’s a good idea to consider it, even if it is a bit more expensive than a variable deal. Consumers should avoid a fixed rate from firms such as EDF and Scottish & Southern, whose fixed-rate deals come to almost £1,100 per year. The best fixed-tariff deal is the dual fuel GoFix Version 2 from npower, at £902.38 for a typical household. Rates are fixed until July 30th 2011, and consumers who switch energy providers during that period will incur a £20 per fuel exit penalty. Ovo has a New Energy rate that is only a little pricier, at £926.18 annually, and therefore an option worth considering.