Across the UK people continue to struggle to pay energy bills and stay warm this Christmas as energy prices keep on rising. A recent survey found that there is a higher percentage of people in the UK struggling to pay their energy bills than elsewhere in Europe, ranking 26 out of 27 and only ranking higher than Estonia.
There has been much attention surrounding energy prices and profits accumulated by energy companies. A report by Ofgem found that profits from departments which supply gas and electricity, soared from £681 million in 2011 to a tremendous £1.19 billion last year when comparing the same period. With the publics' anger mounting, the Government has now stepped in to demand that utility companies explain the rise in prices and Ofgem is challenging companies to cut costs for consumers.
Smart meters are taking hold across the globe as governments, energy companies and customers realise that smart meters can help reduce energy bills. Customers can better manage their energy consumption by simply having an improved understanding of how much energy they use in real time. Customers can find out the differences in energy consumption during different times in the day, across various weeks and months of the year. By knowing this, they can try and reduce consumption of certain household appliances as they will know how much it costs to leave the heating on all night for example, or carry out two washings a day.
Another great feature of smart meters is accurate billing, meaning no more incorrect bills and having to call companies to rectify or dispute the matter. Meter readings are automatically updated on a regular basis resulting in no more visits to collect meter readings or having to log in online and wait patiently for the web page to load to enter meter readings manually. Or, if you're anything like me, having to receive multiple email reminders to enter meter readings before remembering to do so!
As well as facing pressure to reduce energy prices, energy companies are facing further challenges as consumer trust and loyalty remain low, partly a result of high energy prices and incorrect billing. A study by Opower found five consistent findings regardless of country which they termed the '5 Universal Truths of the Energy Consumer'. They highlighted that customers not only want lower bills and accurate billing but they also want utility companies to offer more than their existing services as they compare providers with their banks and as such, they are now rating energy providers based on their online services, personalisation, information and text message alerts.
Utility suppliers should ensure customers can visit their website and find information easily regardless of whether they are accessing the site via a laptop, PC, iPad or a mobile phone. Customers should be able to manage their own account 24/7 from wherever they are and set up personalised text message alerts which they want to receive such as a notification when funds are low. Utilities can develop apps that are tailored towards their end customers and focus on what they want to achieve.
Reduce the need for customers to call you and wait on hold by sending information to them or by allowing them to find the information themselves. By sending text message alerts straight to a customer's mobile phone ensures they are alerted immediately and builds positive customer relationships. Messages can be used to send valuable information such as when a bill needs to be paid, cheaper tariffs become available or offer tips on how to reduce energy.
Customers today value convenience and information, and by focusing on delivering what customers require will help energy companies bring back good customer service and help them secure long term relationships with their customers. Find out how energy suppliers use mobile communications to build customer trust or read our Utilities section to find out more.
There has been much attention surrounding energy prices and profits accumulated by energy companies. A report by Ofgem found that profits from departments which supply gas and electricity, soared from £681 million in 2011 to a tremendous £1.19 billion last year when comparing the same period. With the publics' anger mounting, the Government has now stepped in to demand that utility companies explain the rise in prices and Ofgem is challenging companies to cut costs for consumers.
Smart meters are taking hold across the globe as governments, energy companies and customers realise that smart meters can help reduce energy bills. Customers can better manage their energy consumption by simply having an improved understanding of how much energy they use in real time. Customers can find out the differences in energy consumption during different times in the day, across various weeks and months of the year. By knowing this, they can try and reduce consumption of certain household appliances as they will know how much it costs to leave the heating on all night for example, or carry out two washings a day.
Another great feature of smart meters is accurate billing, meaning no more incorrect bills and having to call companies to rectify or dispute the matter. Meter readings are automatically updated on a regular basis resulting in no more visits to collect meter readings or having to log in online and wait patiently for the web page to load to enter meter readings manually. Or, if you're anything like me, having to receive multiple email reminders to enter meter readings before remembering to do so!
As well as facing pressure to reduce energy prices, energy companies are facing further challenges as consumer trust and loyalty remain low, partly a result of high energy prices and incorrect billing. A study by Opower found five consistent findings regardless of country which they termed the '5 Universal Truths of the Energy Consumer'. They highlighted that customers not only want lower bills and accurate billing but they also want utility companies to offer more than their existing services as they compare providers with their banks and as such, they are now rating energy providers based on their online services, personalisation, information and text message alerts.
Utility suppliers should ensure customers can visit their website and find information easily regardless of whether they are accessing the site via a laptop, PC, iPad or a mobile phone. Customers should be able to manage their own account 24/7 from wherever they are and set up personalised text message alerts which they want to receive such as a notification when funds are low. Utilities can develop apps that are tailored towards their end customers and focus on what they want to achieve.
Reduce the need for customers to call you and wait on hold by sending information to them or by allowing them to find the information themselves. By sending text message alerts straight to a customer's mobile phone ensures they are alerted immediately and builds positive customer relationships. Messages can be used to send valuable information such as when a bill needs to be paid, cheaper tariffs become available or offer tips on how to reduce energy.
Customers today value convenience and information, and by focusing on delivering what customers require will help energy companies bring back good customer service and help them secure long term relationships with their customers. Find out how energy suppliers use mobile communications to build customer trust or read our Utilities section to find out more.
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