npower has joined the inevitable gas wars, announcing a 5% cut in gas prices from the beginning of February.

EDF Energy was the first of the ‘Big Six’ to announce a price cut, as well as being the last of the Big Six to raise prices last year.

SSE will cut gas tariffs by 4.5% on 26 March (why wait SSE?) And British Gas has cut electricity prices by 5% with immediate effect.

Paul Massara, on behalf of npower, said: "It’s obviously no coincidence that several energy companies have announced price reductions this week and we do not apologise for joining them.

"We are now at a point where costs, at least in the short term, can justify a price cut and we want to make sure that npower customers always get competitive deals. Our reduction in prices means that npower will be cheaper than British Gas for the average dual fuel customer."

It’s good news, though it’s important to remember npower raised gas prices by a massive 15.7% last October.

To help keep your bills as low as possible it’s worth shopping around as companies compete to try and convince you they are offering the best tariffs available.

And it’s not just the ‘Big Six’; other companies such as Ecotricity, Ovo Energy, Good Energy and Ebico are offering green deals with a clear emphasis on renewable energy. Team this up with the energy and water saving options here at BigGreenSmile and hopefully you’ll see your utility bills falling even more.

[Image: Little Barford Power Station by ndrwfgg]