Need advice re. best option for switching energy supplier

deltasigma

Now that the energy companies have put their prices up my partner and I have been comparing plans on uSwitch and Energy Helpline, we are currently with Eon on their EnergyOnline dual fuel plan.

The comparison sites seem to give us four main options and we are not sure what would be the best to choose...

Option 1: The biggest saving on an uncapped plan would mean we move to nPower (£186 saving).

Option 2: We could save £179 by staying with Eon but on their SaveOnline 9 plan (also uncapped).

Option 3: Move to EDF on their Fixed S@ver 2 Dual Fuel Plan, fixed until 30th September 2012. Saving us £150.

Option 4: EDF's Fix For 2012 Dual Fuel plan, fixed until 31st December 2012. Saving us £130.

Do we go for the biggest overall annual saving and move supplier, stay with the same supplier and still make a big saving. Or move to a capped plan on another supplier and pay a little more but have peace of mind that prices wont rise.

My heart says go with the biggest overall saving on an uncapped plan. The lazy side of me says stay with Eon and just switch to their cheapest uncapped plan but still make a saving. The cautious side of me says maybe we should cap with EDF.

Are the prices likely to rise again in the next 12 months, given that they have only just gone up? If not then is a 12 month capped plan worth it?

I hope somebody could offer us a little advice as we are more than a little confused! Any advice will be very much appreciated

Premier_2

Only you can decide whether you prefer the security of knowing your price for the next 12 months or so (along with the premium you will pay today for that choice)
Remember the price of energy can go down as well as up. If it goes up, you'll be happy you fixed, but if it goes down...?

If you opt for the cheapest option (i.e. variable tariff) personally I wouldn't worry about the £7 difference. Contact your current supplier (Eon) and get on their cheapest tariff. They could do that immediately, and you may well save the £7 by not having to wait the typical 6 weeks that switching supplier will entail.