We’re pleased to hear Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is to write to electricity and gas retailers reminding them of their responsibilities regarding their customers’ ability to switch power companies.

If you want to switch to another company because you can get better plans, prices or both, the process should be seamless. But that’s not the experience many of you (including myself) are having.

I was shocked recently when I found an energy company had switched my family’s electricity, despite my saying I did not want to proceed with it. I was also shocked that the switch could occur despite the fact that the account was not in my name. It took several calls to the electricity retailer (which kept sending me bills) and a reinstatement of my partner’s direct debit (which was cancelled without his knowledge) before everything was put right. It shouldn’t happen that way.

There are significant savings to be made by switching power companies and consumers should be able to do this with ease and security. Online and in our latest magazine we show how a small household in Christchurch, for instance, can save $442 a year by switching and a large household could potentially save $1000 a year. We’d encourage you to visit www.powerswitch.co.nz to make sure you are getting the cheapest and best value energy prices. If not you should be able to make a switch with ease.

Energy commentator Molly Melhuish has been quoted saying it’s not worth switching. We think this is wrong. Consumers should be able to choose the company they want to deal with based on their prices and plans. If consumers don’t  like what they find,  they should be able to shop around. Molly says people might switch then find that company’s prices will also rise. So what? People can switch again. The more we show as consumers we mean business, the more likely electricity retailers are going to provide the competitive and innovative services we want.

If you’re having problems let us know. Or contact the Electricity and Complaints Commissioner at info@egcomplaints.co.nz.

Sue Chetwin - Chief Executive

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