Yahoo Finance Energy Bills: 6m Households Switched In 2015
More than six million households switched energy supplier last year - a 15% increase on 2014 amid a chorus of advice that it remains the best way to save money on energy bills.
The figures were released by the energy watchdog, Ofgem, which said consumers could currently save themselves around £200 through changing suppliers as an investigation into the sector by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) continues.
The probe is examining whether the industry is taking households for a ride - having previously found that millions were being overcharged.
The CMA said in July last year that tariffs offered by the 'big six' energy suppliers - British Gas, E.ON, EDF (Paris: FR0010242511 - news) , SSE (Other OTC: SSEZF - news) , ScottishPower and nPower - were around 5% higher than they should have been between 2009 and 2013.
The release of its provisional remedies has been delayed until next month - when cuts to gas bills announced by the 'big six' in recent weeks take effect.
British Gas was forced to defend itself from accusations of profiteering when it announced a 31% rise in profits last week while the industry has also insisted that its planned bill reductions fairly reflect lower wholesale gas prices because other costs have risen.
:: How To Switch Suppliers In Seven Simple Steps
Ofgem suggested there was clear evidence that households were now heeding the message on shopping around - the CMA having declared last summer that consumers were "disengaged" with the market.
The energy regulator reported 6.1 million households switching supplier - the highest total since 2011 - with 40% taking their business to independent suppliers.
It said consumers who had not switched supplier for some time could save considerably more than £200.
Rachel Fletcher, Ofgem senior partner, said: "It's encouraging to see switching levels at their highest level for four years.
"With more than 30 suppliers active in the energy market and hundreds of pounds of savings to be made, it's a great opportunity to shop around."
Lawrence Slade, chief executive of industry body Energy UK, said: "The huge number of energy switches in 2015 prove it's simple to pick and click a deal that could save hundreds of pounds.
"This year is set to see switching success continue with around six people shopping for a new supplier every minute in January - the highest comparable monthly figure since records began.
"Increased competition is also contributing to falling energy prices with the cheapest deals now costing less than £800 a year."
