Fancy a change from the Big Six? We've found some of the more unusual suppliers.
The Big Six suppliers may still provide energy for the vast majority of us, but there are now plenty of other firms to choose from. According to the Department of Energy & Climate Change there are now 26 different firms offering gas and/or electricity in the UK, and what's more a number of them are trying to do things a little differently.
Let's take a look at some of the more unusual energy providers and what they offer.
Woodland Trust Energy
Powered by OVO Energy, Woodland Trust Energy promises good customer service and greener energy at a reasonable cost.
There are two tariffs on offer. Better Energy gives you 15% renewable energy while the Greener Energy tariff will give you the full whack: 100% renewable power. And if your account is in credit, you'll get 3% interest on that balance.
For every customer who switches over, OVO Energy will donate to the Woodland Trust to help them create and protect native woodland in the UK.
Ecotricity
Ecotricity claims that it was the world’s first green energy company when it launched back in 1996.
It uses customers’ energy bills to fund the building of new sources of green energy, with all profit goeing into environmental endeavours.
It provides top notch customer service too. Last year it beat its competitors for customer service with only 0.86 complaints for every thousand customers, according to Ofgem.
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Good Energy
If you’re not drawn in by the fun graphics on its website, then you might be more interested in Good Energy’s green fuel.
The Wiltshire-based company sources 100% of its energy from renewables. For each unit households use, Good Energy buys a unit of electricity from one of its renewable generators.
Loco2
As well as providing green energy, Loco2 owns and operates its own UK hydropower stations through sister company, TLS Hydro.
It offers four simple tariffs, depending on whether you want to help the planet or help your pocket. You also have a choice between fixed and variable deals.
GnERGY
Community supplier GnERGY prides itself on being plain and simple, with no jargon or lengthy contracts to sign. And if you’re not happy with the service you can leave, penalty-free.
[SPOTLIGHT]The company is run by ex-Gurkhas, who work with same military efficiency and precision that you'd expect. What's more its UK-based customer service team speaks English, Nepali and Hindi.
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Utilita
Utilita is unique in that it focuses on the needs of prepayment customers. Its Smart Energy tariff allows you to pay for exactly what you use, so there's less chance of nasty bills and surprises. Plus, it comes with a free smart meter which you can top up in a number of ways, including SMS.
Flow Energy
Flow Energy's prime selling point is its energy generating boiler.
It offers two simple tariffs of its own: one fixed, one variable. There are other packages available which offer a "self-financing package" in that you pay off the boiler and receive the cost back in lower energy bills.
In action, the Flow Boiler could save you £200 a year on electricity in the long term while reducing your household carbon emissions by up to 20%. And according to the firm's calculations, if 20 million Flow boilers are installed across the UK, then 40 coal-fired power stations can be switched off, reducing our environmental impact.
The boiler launches on January 26th.
Find out more about how it works in Flow Energy: can an electricity-generating boiler cut your energy bills?
Ebico
This new energy company claims to be the only not-for-profit energy firm in the UK. Any surplus funds go into the Ebico Trust for Sustainable Development which helps tackle fuel poverty in the UK.
It does well on the customer service side of things. Of all UK energy providers it answers customer calls fastest, according to Which? And if you tell a friend about Ebico, you'll receive a £15 voucher.
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