In the UK the government has created a market in energy, where the customer has a choice who they purchase electricity from. It is a scam really but still better to play market than ignore it. Basically you will pay less if you switch from one's old monopoly supplier. But also get a better level of service. Also you can choose to choose a contract that ensures more of money you pay goes to environmentally friendly generation of electricity. But that is abit of a scam too, as the amount of renewable energy produced will be determined more by enforced government targets than green consumer demand.
An environmentally friendly companies I first was Good Energy (spotted when it was previously Unit-E) which a local project I am involved with switched to, which actually will save alot of money as they were on unsuitable tarrif with old supplier. But I think for most home users they won't save much over even the expensive privious monopoly supplier.
I actual signed up myself for temp period as they had a 30 quid intro offer via flyer enclosed with my credit card bill. But I had to chase them up over this, which maybe overall with there higher prices made it not worth while.
Another electricity company that is investing in new renewable supply is Ecotricity which I switched to but they made a mistake mixing up night and day readings and did not send me a new bill quick enough before I got fed up and switch to Ebico.
If you use a low amount or use a pre-payment meter then check out EBIco which should be cheapest option. It reinvests all it money in lower prices and the saving from those using of direct debit are spread over all customers. Scottish and Southern who own Scottish Hydro brand admin their billing and customer service for them.
I have previously used Powergen (now called EON) on their green option which they don't seem to promote anymore, as they had a free light blub and money back deal when I signed up.
Then I switched to Scottish Hydro to save money.
They have 'green' options but my budget was so tight that any spare money will go elsewhere rather than on it.
If you use a low amount or use a pre-payment meter then check out EBIco which should be cheapest option. It reinvests all it money in lower prices and the saving from those using of direct debit are spread over all customers. Scottish and Southern who own Scottish Hydro brand admin their billing and customer service for them.
Other green options include Juice by Npower which was endorsed by that T-shirt designer known for it's daring PR stunts Greenpeace. And it has been questioned if the money goes to green energy or just to help Greenpeace lobbying which may be the actual best use of money but who knows.
Friends Of the Earth did a report on the supply companies: http://www.foe.org.uk/... Another source of info is http://www.greenelectricity.org/
FOE did not really look at issues of fund and supply. Scottish Power's green option is fund only i.e. some of you money get still spend on dirty energy, extra you spend goes into a fund to build renewables, well why not give the money directly to a green cause instead.
An interesting look at effect of choosing green tariff was produced by ethical consumer.
To find out more about price comparisons and how many complaints against a company see:
http://www.energywatch.org.uk. Energywatch were really helpfull in getting mis billing sorted out. Do keep all communications from your power co and records of when you contact them to help if you need to complain.
Before changing utility supplier check out what Martin Lewis has to say at Money Saving Expert
before comparing prices (maybe try choose the 'green' option):
http://www.saveonyourbills.co.uk
IT took a while for companies to start marketing their green options much. AT start they offered them just for show and they don't really want people to take them up. The government can wash it's hands of problem and say look it is up to customer to choose. But as time went on an climate change has gone up agenda they are using them in marketing more, but now with harder government targets I think even less reason for customer to choose them. The market does not deliver, but my view is better to play it for best deal while it exists than not.
If you don't have gas and wish to get a quote for a new connection then who you contact depends on area you live in if in the North of England it maybe Northern Gas Networks, for elsewhere see OFGEM's website