Consumer Focus Feed in Tariffs May Not Help Households With Low Income

Consumer Focus has now responded to the government’s new plans for feed in tariffs. The group is voicing its concerns about the initial cost for installing this microgeneration technology. On February 1^st they said, that starting in April, homes with solar panels and miniature wind turbines will be paid for the energy. These households will be paid even if none of the electricity is sold back to the national grid.

However, Consumer Focus has raised many concerns that the rate of payment may not be enough to kick start the scheme like the government is hoping. It also points out that low income households may miss out on the savings all together. Consumer Focus added that if the government wants to create a low carbon economy, then it needs to offer more attractive cash back rates to overcome the cost barrier of installing this technology and provide better information and advice to consumers.

Plans to offer incentives for renewable heat generation were welcome, as it could cut costs for those living in areas without a main gas supply. However, this is only possible if the costs of generating the electricity is passed onto the consumers.

One of the ways that households are almost guaranteed to save money on their gas and electric bill is by going online and comparing suppliers to find the best deal. Many people just stick with the same suppliers, because they think they will get the same deal there as they will anywhere. This is the theory that a lot of gas and electricity suppliers like to bank on. However, for those who go looking, they will find that there are better deals out there.