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Thousands of householders in Northern Ireland have switched gas suppliers after prices went up by almost 40%, it has emerged.
In mid-April, Phoenix Supply announced it would be putting its tariffs up on May 1.
This will push up the cost of average annual bills from £430 to £603.
Within 24 hours of the price- hike announcement, more than 400 cost-conscious customers changed to rival supplier Firmus Energy.
It has vowed to freeze domestic prices until September 2011.
To date, 6,500 householders have now switched to Firmus, representing almost 12% of Phoenix credit customers.
Firmus Energy's managing director Mark Prentice said his firm could offer customers cheaper prices for at least two years.
"For an average home, this could equate to a saving of more than £220 over the two year period," he added.
For more information visit www.switchtofirmus.co.uk, or telephone on 080 0032 4567.
