Energy suppliers are considering price increases of between 80 and 110% in September and October. To protect yourself, there is a simple and free solution. We explain to you.
If today no one can predict the future in terms of energy, for some households major opportunities are imminent. Indeed, the government’s price shield, which regulates gas prices and caps electricity prices at 4% by the end of the year, does not protect all consumers. Despite this unprecedented decision, the price of electricity and gas – the two are linked – on the wholesale market continues to rise, pushing some providers take drastic measures.
Increase in monthly payments, termination of contracts arriving at chance, activation of new contracts postponed to 2023 are so many threats that weigh the approach of winter. Some of the French customers, around 10,000, by Iberdrola were thus invited by mail to buy elsewhere because of a multiplication by two or three of the prices at the end of their contract. They must make a decision in order to continue to benefit from regulated tariffs with other suppliers, advises Iberdrola. But the Spanish supplier is not alone in delivering bad news.
A security deposit of 500 euros
Supplier Ohm provides him with an increase of +84% compared to the regulated electricity tariff (TRV) from September 1, 2022. It is also tightening its subscription conditions… now only possible from April 2023. It also claims a security deposit of 500 euros certain customers to keep their contract active, according to the comparator HelloWatt. Those who refuse direct debit and prefer to pay receipt of the invoice are particularly targeted.
the mint supplier communicated to it a price increase of 111% from October 1, 2022 for its Classic, Online and Smart offers. A client explained on LinkedIn that she had received a letter for electricity announcing the passage of her monthly bill of 30,336 euros. An increase of 1020%.
Iberdrola and Ohm were summoned to explain themselves to the president of the Energy Regulation Commission (CRE) Emmanuelle Wargon and to the energy mediator, Olivier Challan Belval. Ohm particular ad justify its very attractive offers last June (-11% compared to the regulated price) and which today have earned him numerous referrals to the mediator. In this context, how can consumers avoid a spike in their energy bill?
The regulated tariff protects customers, for the time being
Today, EDF’s regulated tariff, also known as the blue tariff, is the best consumer protection, repeats tweet after tweet the energy mediator. At least as long as the tariff shield is in place.
Nobanques: the cheapest offers to control your budget
In France, 12million households out of a total of 33million have opted out of EDF’s regulated electricity sales tariff for more financially attractive market offers. Some remain indexed to the regulated tariffs and benefit from the 4% increase cap. But, others indexes on the wholesale market, undergo sharp increases. It is these, variable price (unlike the fixed offers whose price remains unchanged for 12, 24 or 36 months), which are offered by Iberdrola, Mint, Ohm or others.
Last spring, the consumer defense association CLCV took the electricity suppliers ekWateur, GreenYellow (Cdiscount), Mint Energy and Ovo Energy to court for commercial practices deemed misleading. Among the grievances, the fact of transforming, without the customer’s explicit consent, an offer indexed to the regulated sales price into an offer indexed to fluctuations in the wholesale market. The association pleads for the return to EDF TRVs for all French customers and the end of market offers that have never found their place.
Returning to the paid price is free
To avoid unpleasant surprises, CRE therefore advises consumers to carefully read the communications sent by their supplier (email, post, etc.) when price increases are scheduled. Especially since it is easy to escape. The energy mediator points out that it is possible at any time, free of charge and without interruption, to revert to the regulated electricity tariff of EDF or a competing offer indexed to the blue tariff. A safeguard that no longer exists for gas, whose TRVs disappear on July 1, 2023.
How much do the French pay for electricity?
According to the latest retail market observatory for the 1st quarter of 2022 from the Energy Regulation Commission, a Typical Base EDF customer, consuming 2400 kWh per year, pays 554 euros per year for electricity. This is 62 euros more than in July 2020. For its part, a typical peak/off-peak customer, with a consumption of 8,500 kWh per year, must pay 1,604 eurosi.e. 100 euros more than in July 2020.
If you have difficulty paying your bills, remember to ask the supplier to spread it. He can also check whether the contract is suitable and see whether you are eligible for the energy check.