First Utility is now Shell Energy and 700,000 customers can get discounts on petrol
From today, First Utility customers will see their bills and letters come from Shell Energy with the First Utility brand disappearing
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MORE than 700,000 First Utility customers will now become Shell Energy users - and as part of this they'll get access to the firm's loyalty scheme giving money off petrol.
Shell bought First Utility, one of the largest challenger suppliers, last year.
But from today, existing customers will see their bills and letters come from Shell Energy with the First Utility brand disappearing.
New customers joining the supplier will also now be Shell Energy customers.
Shell Energy says the tariffs it offers will remain the same for both new and existing customers, and adds that prices won't change as a result of the announcement.
The supplier currently offers one of the top 10 cheapest tariffs on the market costing the average household £970 a year - £78 more than the cheapest at £892.
But new and existing customers will be given two boosts as part of the relaunch.
Households will get 3% off Shell petrol
Firstly, Shell Energy customers will be given 3 per cent off petrol (unleaded or diesel) spends of up to 60 litres a month, per household.
To get this, they need to join the free Shell Go+ rewards scheme, which you can download as an app on Android or Apple.
You'll then be given a barcode to scan at the till. This offer is only available to Shell Energy users - you can't just join the Shell Go+ loyalty scheme to get it.
Of course, this doesn't mean Shell will be the cheapest pump to fill up your car - use a comparison website such as PetrolPrices.com to find the cheapest fuel where you live.
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Also bear in mind that the offer is only valid at participating fuel courts to begin with, which is around 650 of Shell's 1,000 UK garages.
Other perks on Shell Go+ include 10 per cent off hot drinks at Costa.
Electricity will now be 100% renewable
The second change for users is that the electricity part of their supply will now be from 100 per cent renewable sources.
This means the energy will be generated from wind and the sun rather than from the burning of fossil fuels, which contributes towards global warming.
But if you're a dual fuel household, the gas element won't be renewable so you'll have to switch to a fully green supplier if you're after this.
You can also save more by switching to Outfox the Market's 100 per cent renewable electricity tariff, which costs £925 a year - or £45 less.
Rik Smith, energy expert at comparison website uSwitch.com, says Shell is a bigger brand than First Utility but warns that it'll need to prove it can offer customers a good service.
"As First Utility they were one of the more well established challenger energy suppliers in this country, but the Shell brand will be even more recognisable to energy customers.
"Shell Energy now has responsibility for meeting smart meter targets, growing their share of a new market by offering great customer service day in day out, and helping to reduce emissions from electricity supplies."
Victoria Arrington, energy expert at energy comparison site Energyhelpline adds that she hopes the rebrand will drive competition in the market.
She said: “A diverse range of suppliers is ultimately good for consumers, as it helps to keep prices low, whilst offering loads of choice to suit a variety of budgets.
“Rebranded Shell offers very competitive tariffs, with a current offer that is among the top ten cheapest energy deals in the UK. And even better, its electricity is 100 per cent renewable."
Colin Crooks, chief executive of Shell Energy Retail Ltd, said: “We are building on the disruptive nature of First Utility to give customers something better.
"We know that renewable electricity is important to them and we are delivering that, while ensuring good value and rewarding loyalty.”
More on energy bills
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And fossil fuel gas hobs and boilers will BANNED in all new-build homes from 2025 – and it could add £5,000 to price of a house.
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