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Energy costs for the home and business

Energy use in the home is a major issue these days, with thousands of people left reeling by the rise in domestic heating costs. The situation hasn’t been helped by the harshness of the recent winter, which led to many running their central heating systems 24 hours a day for several weeks. It’s thought that bills may not be fully paid before next winter comes along.

Many companies these days provide combined gas and electricity supplies to the home and to the business, eliminating the need for consumers to deal with two separate companies. In a highly competitive market, consumers are constantly encouraged to switch suppliers in order to find bargains, and there are specialist websites which will compare prices and special offers.

A diverse energy market

In the past, the supplies of electricity and gas were both nationalised, but in the 1990s both sources of energy were privatised. This opened the gates for several companies to get involved in the market, and while profits can be extremely lucrative, margins have to be tight. It seems the most successful suppliers are those that not only offer low prices, but also provide high quality service.

Renewable energy for the home

All over the country, and in other parts of the world, there is a noticeable shift towards using renewable energy sources. While solar power is an established method of heating and lighting the home, wind and wave power are both likely to become important issues in the coming years.

But for the consumer, price and quality remain the priorities, irrespective of whether the supply is environmentally friendly. While some are swayed by green issues, it seems the rest of the population still needs to be convinced.