Homeowners out of pocket £160 on fuel bills, says Which?

As homeowners face another threatened rise in gas and electricity rates, Which? has said that "rookie" switchers, who are not normally mercenary in searching for deals, stand to gain the most by changing provider.

Research by consumer group Which? has revealed that only a quarter of households in the UK are "savvy" switchers, ie, those who scour the market for the best rates.

Energywatch chief executive Allan Usher has warned that gas and electricity bills will rise by a further 15 per cent this year - giving the rookies good incentive to look around.

Which? estimates that following the most recent round of price increases, the average home could save £160 on their annual gas and electricity bills.

"It seems we're a nation divided into 'savvy' and 'rookie' switchers," said Jennifer Conti of Which?.

"Despite gloomy predictions, people who regularly check out the competition are saving themselves a packet and rookie switchers are even more likely to scoop big savings, simply because they may have been getting a raw deal for a relatively long time without realising it.

"Switching is one of the quickest and easiest ways to save money.

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