News
EBICO LTD
EQUIGAS PRICES FROM 26 MARCH 2012
Following discussions with our supply partner, SSE, we’re pleased to announce that we have secured a reduction in the unit price of EquiGas of 4.5% from the 26th March 2012. This price reduction will apply to both existing and new customers from this date. Energy prices continue to be very volatile and we will be keeping both our gas and electricity prices under review with the aim of keeping them as competitive as we can.
To view the Prices of EquiGas, please click here.
January 2012.
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Demand Better from your Energy Supplier
About the petition...
Right now Ofgem, the energy sector’s Regulator, is proposing changes to the way energy suppliers deal with their customers and is asking the industry what they think. We, at Ebico, think the people they should be asking are consumers. After all, they are the ones that ultimately pay for it all.
Over the past few weeks we’ve been asking our customers and friends how they expect to be dealt with by their energy supplier and, using their responses, we’ve created an ambitious charter of expectations that we are calling for Ofgem to include as a legal requirement in all energy suppliers’ licences.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS CHARTER
I expect that my supplier will:
Openness
1. Review my tariff annually to check that I'm on their cheapest plan for my energy use
2. Provide information about the cheapest price plan that they currently offer with conditions attached
3. Create a consistent format for publishing price plans expressed in plain English
Fairness
1. Use a common standard method to estimate bills when no meter reading is available
2. Never make me feel I’ve been treated aggressively, deceitfully or manipulatively
3. Ask me every 12 months whether any credit on my account should be refunded
Honesty
1. Ensure that anyone selling energy supply to me will give me a direct comparison using my actual use
2. Not try to sell me other products when speaking to me about non-sales matters
3. When I switch to them, tell me how to switch away, including any costs
Sign the petition and tell Ofgem what you expect from energy supply companies
January 2012.
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Results of the Which? customer satisfaction survey 2012 are in….
The energy industry might be dominated by the ‘Big 6’ but it’s the smaller companies leading the way for providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction according to Which?
For the fourth year running, Ebico has placed in the ‘top 5’ and we recorded our highest rating yet of customer satisfaction with 73%.
Ebico Managing Director, Phil Levermore said: “it’s very important for smaller energy companies to differentiate themselves from the Big 6 by ensuring that we provide the highest levels of customer satisfaction and whilst were extremely pleased with the results, we won’t be stopping here. Hard work will continue to ensure that we only get better”.
We offer our customers the same rate, regardless of payment method including no standing charges or exit fees to ensure the fairest tariff available so we were also delighted to receive a 5 star rating on our billing.
In addition to providing excellent customer service, it is also about handling customer complaints successfully and this year we have placed second. We’re continuing to work hard, introducing new measure and techniques so that we can drive this figure down.
Click here to read the ‘best and worst energy companies’ for 2012
January 2012.
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"Great Expectations" has arrived!
At Ebico we think that consumers have, for too long, been getting a raw deal at the hands of their energy suppliers and we want to do something about it!
Over the next few weeks, we're running a campaign powered by you - the customer - that will give you a say as to how you expect to be treated by your energy supplier.
Based on your responses, we will create an ambitious charter of expectations, ready to take to Number 10 to challenge existing energy industry practices.
To vote on what you think our "Great Expectations" charter should look like - and to have the chance to win a prize - click here.
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Which? launch campaign to tackle energy tariff confusion.
In a recent survey (see news item below) Which? found that very few people can actually understand how energy supply company price plans work as they are, generally, so complicated. We, at Ebico, agree that energy price plans are often confusing and unfair – which is why we have just one price plan each for gas and electricity with single flat rates and no standing charge.
So we are very happy to support Which? in their new campaign for simpler tariffs. To find out more about the new Which? campaign, take a look at their ‘simple tariff’ video here.
By forcing other energy companies to introduce a new simpler tariff we can make them fairer and help all energy customers get a better energy deal.
Which? is also asking consumers to email Ofgem’s chief executive to ask him to tackle tariffs: www.which.co.uk/tackletariffs.
November 2011mhm
One tariff approach from EBICo scores better than British Gas, e-on and SSE with consumers in Which? survey.EBICo has received promising feedback in a new survey on energy tariff complexity by consumer champion Which?
EBICo the UK’s only not-for-profit energy supplier featured in the survey along with Co-operative Energy and three of the largest of the big six; British Gas, e-on and SSE. The Which? survey was based on a random selection of 36 consumers, many with a professional qualification such as a solicitor, an engineer and an accountant, who were asked to work out their domestic energy bill under supervision using just a calculator and the suppliers website.
Of the 36 consumers which took part in the survey, only one individual managed to work it out via SSE and that was a company director. However the survey was also conducted by 28 consumers using simpler tariffs such as EBICo and Co-operative energy and the results were much more positive scoring 10 out of 28. The highlighted difficulty these consumers faced was finding the unit rates on the website.
Whilst we are pleased that our simpler tariff scored higher, we as a company feel there is still great room for improvement and will be working closely with Which? to make our EquiGas and EquiPower rates more visible on our website, especially as Which? estimate that 84% of people do not switch using a comparison site.
Which? is also asking consumers to email Ofgem’s chief executive to ask him to tackle tariffs: www.which.co.uk/tackletariffs.
November 2011
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Ebico was an idea born on a Greenbelt trip to Iona over ten years ago
The idea was this: start an energy company whose sole purpose was to tackle fuel poverty.
Over a decade on, several awards and much press later, Ebico offer the fairest energy prices for gas and electricity in the UK to all its customers - regardless of whether they are on pre-paid meters or paying by direct debit*.
To celebrate our 10th year at the festival, we're donating up to £10** to Greenbelt for every customer who switches, quoting 'GB11'.
Please click here for more information on Greenbelt.
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EBICO LTD
HOUSEHOLD ENERGY PRICES FROM 14 SEPTEMBER 2011
We are sorry to let you know we will be increasing the price of EquiPower by an average of 12.2% and the price if EquiGas by 19.4% on 14th September 2011.
A price increase has become unavoidable as a result of rises in the wholesale cost of energy, the cost of using the electricity and gas networks and the costs of the environmental and social schemes that our supply partner, Scottish and SOuthern Energy plc (SSE), is obliged to implement.
We appreciate that this will be unwelcome news and that many customers will be concerned about further energy price increases, so we can guarantee that the price of EquiGas and EquiPower will now be capped at this level at least until March 2012. There will be no further increases during this period, whereas a sustained fall in wholesale energy cost would allow prices to be reduced.
*EquiPower prices vary by region. View EquiPower prices.
August 2011.
We have a new partner - Bromsgrove & District Housing Trust!
We have partnered with BDHT a housing association based in the West Midlands. Through this partnership BDHT's tenants have the opportunity to benefit from Ebico's simple and transparent tariffs.
This is one of the many partnerships we have across the UK. For more information on our partnership schemes please see our Partnering with Ebico page.
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Happy Birthday to the Ebico Trust!
Our Ebico Trust for Sustainable Development is celebrating its 2nd birthday! The Trust was set up in March 2009, in the pursuit of reducing fuel poverty and tackling climate change.
The Trust is a registered charity. It enables us to support initiatives that improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low income householders. The various initiatives we sponsor offer support and advice on saving energy – helping to reduce fuel bills and prevent future debt.
The projects we have donated to so far have focussed on debt advising, helping people get out of fuel debt and preventing them from getting into similar situations in the future. Education - making children aware of fuel poverty and encouraging them to think of energy saving methods in the home. In-home energy saving measures, assisting and advising residents, improving the energy efficiency of their homes and save them money. And research – funding a project researching rural fuel poverty and the installation of air source heat pumps.
Here is a breakdown of all the projects supported:
Click here for details on how to apply to the Trust.
March 2011.
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Ebico Trust sponsors a new project
The Ebico Trust for Sustainable Development has committed to fund a 12 month project with Energy Solutions Ltd.
The project is an anti-fuel poverty drive, including research into fuel poverty in the London boroughs of Brent and Harrow.
Full information on this project and others that the trust is funding see our Ebico Trust for Sustainable Development page
February 2011
Ebico supports Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
Ebico is supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2011, a national campaign which aims to raise awareness of the detrimental effects that living in a cold home can have on people’s health.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, run by the charity National Energy Action (NEA), takes place on 11th February and has received backing from high profile health professional Dr Miriam Stoppard, Energy and Climate Change Minister, Charles Hendry and First Minister for Wales, The Rt Hon Carwyn Jones.
Having just experienced the most severe winter since records began over 100 years ago, the campaign aims to draw attention to the health problems caused by living in a cold, damp home, and the importance of ‘fuel poverty proofing’ through insulation measures and energy efficiency to ensure protection against future cold weather and the increasing cost of energy.
Phil Levermore, managing director for Ebico, said: Householders are growing increasingly concerned with the costs involved in heating their homes with many turning their heating off in an effort to stay out of debt, risking their health and wellbeing in doing so.
“Living in a cold damp home can lead to extremely poor health, and exacerbate conditions such as respiratory and coronary problems, especially in those who are vulnerable such as older people, young children whose immune systems have not yet fully developed, and those with long terms sickness and disabilities.
“Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is about acknowledging the issues, helping people to understand the links between fuel poverty and poor health, and making them aware of the different ways in which they can fuel poverty proof their future.
“The most important message is that there is help out there for vulnerable households. I urge everyone who is concerned about their fuel bill to contact their energy supplier or to call the Home
Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to access help and advice on staying warm when it is cold without the fear of fuel debt and ill health.”
Commenting about the importance of the campaign, Charles Hendry, Energy and Climate Change Minister said: “The Government recognises the need to help low income and vulnerable groups keep their homes warm at an affordable cost and the vital health benefits this can bring which is why I welcome and support NEA's Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.
“A key part of the solution is improved energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock. Through the Green Deal and the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) we will ensure resources are focused on fuel poor households in conventional properties and to fuel poor households occupying hard to treat dwellings”.
February 2011
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Are you an Energy Idol?
To help you get over the Winter Blues, we are offering you the chance to win a year’s supply of free electricity. To be in with a chance of winning, simply take our fun Facebook quiz to determine whether you are an Energy Idol. Join in and Good Luck!
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Ebico is named top-rated energy company!
We have been ranked in the top 3 of the Which? Utilities satisfaction survey for the third year running! Ebico has been given five out of five stars within three of the five categories we were rated on; Understanding Bills, Accuracy of Bills, and Value for Money! Which? said:
"The UK's only not-for-profit energy supplier proves there is an alternative to the big players in the energy market. Ebico charges all its customers the same rate for gas and electricity, even if you pre-pay or only use one of its services. One members says it's 'the only supplier with a social conscience'."
January 2011
Ebico's NEW Home Energy Expert service!
We have just launched our NEW advice service FREE for Ebico customers.
Feel free to email our Home Energy Expert with any energy questions relating your home. From lowering your heating bills to blocking out those drafts, our Home Energy Expert is a free service to help you and your family keep warm this winter.
For more information visit our Home Energy Expert page.
December 2010
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EquiGas price increase
Here at Ebico we’ve worked hard over the years to provide consistently good service, fair pricing and long term value to our customers. We remain committed to offering competitive prices over the medium term, yet rising costs mean that we have had to review the pricing of our tariffs. I regret to say that, with effect from the 10thof January 2011, the EquiGas price will be increased by 9.2% to 3.82p kWh (excluding VAT) which equalls 4.011p kWh (inclusive of VAT). On some literature this will be rounded up to 4.02p kWh. The price of EquiPower remains unchanged. This is not a step we take lightly, particularly during winter, so we have delayed implementing the price increase until after the Christmas / New Year holiday period, a time when home heating needs areparticularly great in many households.
Please be assured that, despite this change, EquiGas continues to offer:
- No standing charge.
- The same simple flat rate for everybody across Great Britain, regardless of payment method, with clear, straight forward, bills and statements.
- Help for the whole community in getting a fair deal from the benefits of energy competition.
We appreciate that this price increase comes at a time when temperatures are falling so, to help, we have just launched our ‘Home Energy Expert’ service in association with National Energy Action, the UK’s foremost energy charity working to combat fuel poverty. The Home Energy Expert, a free home heating, insulation and energy efficiency advice service, is FREE to all Ebico customers, click here for more information.
I will be writing to all customers over the next few days to advise them of this price change.
Phil Levermore
Managing Director
December 2010
Dealing with the cold weather
Did you know the UK has one of the highest rates of winter “excess deaths” in northern Europe – much higher than considerably colder countries such as Sweden or Norway.
Winter deaths, particularly amongst vulnerable groups such as the elderly and infirm, can be reduced significantly if they are helped to prepare for an extended period of cold weather, by taking simple actions when it arrives. Community groups that wish to make a difference to how their district copes with very cold weather may like to consider the following:
- Be a good neighbour. Are there households in your area with elderly, infirm and vulnerable members? Can you, and your neighbours, organise a rota to offer regular, friendly, contact?
- When particularly cold weather is forecast, you could visit those households you are concerned are at risk to warn them in case they have had little access to the media.
- Moving around outside when conditions are icy represents a major hazard for the elderly. You can help your vulnerable neighboursensure that they have adequate emergency lighting (torch/candles), spare batteries, cooking equipment (including utensils and cutlery), drink, long life food and medication.
- Keeping warm. You can help vulnerable households ensure they have enough blankets, that, where possible, draughts are excluded and that sufficient heating is used. Note that energy suppliers are prevented by law from disconnecting gas and electricity supplies, other than on grounds of safety, during the winter months. The EquiGas and EquiPower tariffs have been designed to offer such households the best deals and are recommended by many social landlords.
- Eat, drinking and sleeping. Encourage vulnerable householders to eat hot food and have warm drinks regularly, to sleep under the duvet, ‘retreat’ from the cold and stay rested.
December 2010
Ebico supports Warm Homes Campaign 2010
Ebico is backing National Energy Action’s Warm Homes Campaign 2010 and is stressing that a national energy efficiency drive is vital in combating rising levels of fuel poverty.
The support comes after recent Government statistics revealed that the numbers of households in fuel poverty is continuing to escalate, with NEA estimating that the figure in England and Wales has reached over 4.1 million.
Phil Levermore, managing director said:
“NEA’s Warm Homes Campaign highlights that there are still millions of people who are simply struggling to keep their homes warm and protect their families from the ill effects of the cold. Fuel-poor households experience a number of detrimental health impacts and reductions in general wellbeing as a result of cold, damp living conditions. Whilst this is unacceptable, the campaign also demonstrates how help is available.
The Ebico Trust sponsors an NEA advice centre and a research project, for more information read about The Ebico Trust for Sustainable Development.
NEA chief executive Jenny Saunders said:
“This campaign plays a vital role in ensuring members of the public, local politicians and MPs understand this link between energy efficiency and fuel poverty. By providing practical advice to local community groups and taking MPs to visit their constituents at home and hear first hand about how they’ve benefitted from energy efficiency initiatives, we hope to help lift other families out of fuel poverty.
November 2010
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Ebico your national social enterprise!
18th November celebrates Social Enterprise Day, a day raising awareness of social enterprises both locally and nationally.
Ebico is one of 62,000 social enterprises in the UK, which are set apart from normal businesses because they have a social or environmental aim. What’s more, any profits are put back into the business or given directly to the community, in our case through The Ebico Trust, rather than going to owners or shareholders.
The Social Enterprise Coalition is encouraging people to celebrate the day by meeting their local social enterprises, Ebico is unusual, as we’re a national social enterprise, but why not engage with us through joining our Facebook page, following us on Twitter or reading one of our regular blogs?
The Social Enterprise Coalition launched the Social Enterprise Mark in January this year, and Ebico were one of the first organisations to receive the mark. The Mark identifies businesses that meet defined criteria for social enterprise. It offers consumers an instantly recognisable logo that represents enterprises working for social and environmental aims, trading to benefit people and the planet.
November 2010
The new Ebico website is live!
We have had a revamp and we hope you like the new design! Please feel free contact us with your thoughts.
Do you like the look? Is it easy to navigate around? Does it include information you would expect to see? What's missing? To feedback please email our Marketing Manager This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We would really appreciate your comments.
November 2010
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Door step meter credit scam
If you use a pre-payment meter (key or card meter), please be aware that there has recently been a spate of fraudsters approaching householders with offers of discounted energy top-ups for their meters. Don’t be tempted, purchasing credit from these people will result in you having to pay twice for the energy. These people are criminals and will be involving you in their illegal activity.
Only valid outlets such as PayPoint, Payzone and the Post Office should be used to top-up keys or cards. The energy industry believes that at least 85,000 customers have been tempted by this fraud so far. With winter on its way, we do not want our customers having to spend more on energy than need be.
If you know anyone illegally selling electricity meter top-ups, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
September 2010
The Ebico team heads off to Greenbelt.
We are packing our bags and off to Greenbelt for the weekend. Greenbelt is a festival at Cheltenham Racecourse and we’ve been keen followers since Ebico was founded at Iona (a Greenbelt trip) back in 1998.
At the festival we will have a stand where we can discuss our company with the festival-goers. We will also be sponsoring the buggies, which cart people around the site. And finally, we’ll be offering free charging of mobile phones, through our own miniature wind turbine.
The whole team really enjoys Greenbelt and it’s a great event to get to know new people.
Maybe we’ll see you there!
August 2010
Ebico study shows that majority of UK households have at least one resident Energy Waster
A new study carried out by Ebico found that over 60% of British households argue over wasting energy, and therefore money within the home. The culprits, identified as Weamers (Wasters of Energy and Money), have emerged as Brits become more conscious of the environmental impact of their actions. The number one way to waste energy and money is by leaving the lights on (40% of energy arguments), closely followed by leaving electronic appliances on standby (28%) and having the heating up too high (27%).
The majority of respondents (78%) declared that their home was occupied by at least one energy waster; 23% blamed their other half and 15% admitted that they were the worst energy waster in their household.
Phil Levermore, Ebico’s Managing Director, said: “Collectively, our homes are the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the UK, yet the changes we need to make to see big reductions in energy consumption and fuel bills are quite simple and easy to do. Just by turning the thermostat down by one degree can save you 10% on your annual energy bill.”
“Our research shows that while the message is getting through to many people there are still some who need to be pushed into making the small changes that can save you energy and money. A review of energy consumption levels amongst Ebico customers in 2009 demonstrated that simply by taking basic measures to cut household energy consumption resulted in an average saving of £90 a year.”
June 2010
Phil Levermore is on Working Lunch!
Ebico’s managing director Phil Levermore was invited onto Working Lunch this week. He was guest of the day on Thursday’s show, answering questions on Ebico as a energy provider and a social enterprise.
Working Lunch is a daily lunch time show discussing the latest business, consumer and workplace news from across the country.
February 2010
Ebico supports Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
Ebico supports Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 2010 a national campaign which aims to highlight the effects of living in a cold home on people’s health.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, run by National Energy Action (NEA) and sponsored by EDF Energy, takes place on 12th February and has received backing from high profile health professional Dr Miriam Stoppard and Government’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson.
Having just experienced the most severe winter in over 30 years, the campaign aims to draw attention to the health problems caused by living in a cold, damp home and urges vulnerable people to keep their heating on until winter ends and temperatures start to warm up.
Last winter temperatures remained as low as minus 6 degrees well into March, leading to concerns that people may have been risking their health by turning their heating off too early in order to save money on their fuel bills.
Phil Levermore, managing director, said, “Living in a cold damp home can lead to extremely poor health, especially in those who are vulnerable such as older people, young children whose immune system has not yet fully developed and those with long terms sickness and disabilities.
“It is important that people know that there are schemes in place to help them, and to ensure they are keeping warm and healthy throughout the winter period and for as long as the cold weather lasts. Fuel Poverty Awareness day is about acknowledging the issues, helping people to understand the links between fuel poverty and poor health, and making them aware of the help that is available to ensue they are kept warm and well.
“The most important message is that there is help out there for vulnerable households. I urge everyone who is concerned about their fuel bill to contact their energy supplier or to call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to access help and advice on staying warm when it is cold without the fear of fuel debt and ill health.”
February 2010
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