Households 'should switch from deemed tariffs'
Consumers in the UK have been urged to switch from deemed energy tariffs when moving house.
Research from Fool.co.uk has found that such deals, which are automatically started on a property when previous residents terminate their accounts, can often cost around 25 per cent more than an energy supplier's cheapest deal.
As combined utility bills cost up to £1,400 a year, the advice service has also estimated that collectively homeowners are spending around £70 million annually by being on the tariffs.
David Kuo, head of personal advice at the website, said: "The expense in moving can be made more costly if consumers unsuspectingly sign up to penal energy tariffs.
"New occupants should not delay in switching away from deemed tariffs, even if it means transferring to a monthly direct-debit tariff with the same lender first."
A recent study by Alliance Trust found that people over 75 are the age group hardest hit by the rising cost of food and energy in the UK.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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