Price busting dual fuel energy tariff for households across the East and West Midlands

Warwick-based First Utility (www.first-utility.com), the UK’s first smart meter energy supplier, has today announced plans to offer a new price-busting dual-fuel energy tariff for households across the Midlands and East Midlands.   This means that for an average household across the region their annual gas and electricity bill will be under £900 - at just £882.

The Smart Online Saver V3 tariff will provide significant savings to households in East Midlands compared with other suppliers:
•    for instance the average bill at medium consumption on British Gas’ recently launched Web Saver 5 dual fuel tariff is £930 (mids) / £893 (e.mids); First Utility’s average bill for the Midlands is £902/ East Midlands is £861.  This equates to a saving of £28 (Midlands) / £32 (e.mids) a year.
•    or, the average bill at medium consumption on British Gas’ standard dual fuel tariff is £1139 (mids)/ £1125 (e.mids); First Utility’s average bill for the Midlands is £902/East Midlands is £861. This equates to a saving of £237 (Midlands) / £264 (e.mids) a year.

All Midlands and East Midlands customers who sign up to the Smart Online Saver V3 tariff will receive a free smart meter – an innovative device which means that people can save on their energy bills and will always receive an accurate, monthly bill.

The Government recently announced its plans for a national roll-out of smart meters by 2020.   But why wait ten years? Smart meters revolutionise the way in which people manage their energy consumption by enabling greater control; research has shown that they can reduce energy usage by 10%.

Mark Daeche, CEO of First Utility, comments: “Keeping energy prices low is at the forefront of our agenda.  As a fast-growing, independent energy company first:utility  is able to react nimbly to the decreases in the energy wholesale market and quickly pass on these savings directly to customers.  With the Smart Online Saver V3 we are pleased to be able to provide households in the Midlands and East Midlands with the opportunity to take advantage of not only a truly competitive tariff, but also to get a free smart meter installed in their home and allow them to experience today the future of energy – accurate bills and real control of energy usage. “

First Utility’s smart meters take automated readings of energy consumption at half-hourly intervals throughout the day; these are sent wirelessly to first:utility’s Warwick-based head office.  As a result of this up-to-date data, accurate monthly bills showing combined gas and electricity usage and cost are generated, meaning First Utility customers never receive estimated readings and there are no more surprise ‘reconciliation’ bills. The data from the smart meters also enables customers to view a detailed breakdown of their energy usage online or via iGoogle, with Google PowerMerter.

This exclusive offer for the Midlands and East Midlands, which is the cheapest energy deal in the UK, is available via switching sites and www.first-utility.com.

First Utility is based at Tachbrook Park in Warwick and employs 115 people from across the Midlands.

Notes to Editors

About First Utility

First Utility is the smarter independent utilities supplier, offering electricity and gas  services to a range of consumer and business customers. It is the only energy provider to roll out smart meters to all its customers, starting with the East and West Midlands. It is through the use of smart metering technology that first:utility can empower consumers to manage their own energy consumption and bills. First:utility is headquartered in Warwick.
www.first-utility.com

About Smart Online Saver V3 tariff
•    This is an online tariff only and consumers can register via first-utility.com or through a switching site.
•    Monthly online billing
•    Smart Online Saver V3 customers will be eligible to receive an annual dual fuel discount of 12.5% after consecutive direct debit payments.
•    There is not contract or exit fee
•    Daily energy usage visible via online customer account or iGoogle

For further media information please contact: press@first-utility.com