Utility Companies Need to Give Warning of Rate Changes
November 6, 2009
Energy Business Review (EBR) reports that a study by JD Power and Associates indicates that utility companies can do much more to provide their customers with advance information about price changes. Some important facts:
- Monthly electricity bills are 4% higher in 2009 than in 2008. Gas is 8% higher (as reported by customers)
- Research indicates that the decline in customer satisfaction caused by increases in prices would be mitigated if customers were warned in advance of rate increases by their suppliers
- In the past 12 months, only 54% of electricity customers and 48% of gas customers report having received any advanced warning
- JD Power and Associates assert that “… overall satisfaction with utility suppliers in the UK is considerably lower than that of other service industries…”
For the whole article, click http://retail.utilities.energy-business-review.com/news/information_about_rate_changes_vital_to_customer_satisfaction_with_utility_suppliers_jd_power_and_associates_091105/