Home & Utilities Expert
Ashton Berkhauer
Currently the General Manager for Home Services and Mortgages, Ashton observes the markets and, along with his team, strives to get the best possible solutions for consumers. The products within his control cover the largest amount of expenditure that households incur on an ongoing basis, including gas, electricity, broadband, mobile and, of course, mortgages.
Ashton says:
“We are currently living in a high inflationary environment with household bills spiralling into the stratosphere. Energy prices might be on the decline but they are still the most expensive we have ever seen, and with mortgage interest rates rising, these additional pressures weigh heavily on already cash strapped consumers.
"Here at MoneySupermarket we help try and take the sting out of things by helping customers get the best value products and services to meet their needs.”
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News & Guides
- Energy standing charges explained It’s not as simple as just paying for the energy you use. Standing charges mean that every household must also pay a flat daily rate for their gas and energy supply. Our guide explains what you should know about standing charges.
- What to do if your energy tariff is ending Money-saving deals are hard to come by right now. So what should you do if your tariff is ending imminently? Get up to speed with this guide.
- Can I change my mortgage to interest-only? Looking to change your mortgage to an interest-only product? Read on and we’ll explain what switching to an interest-only mortgage means, how you can do it, and what impact it will have.
- What are smart thermostats and how do they work? Read our guide to find out more about energy-saving smart thermostats and discover how they could help you keep your energy bills down.
- Understanding your energy usage Knowing how much gas and electricity you use helps to give you the most accurate quote when comparing energy deals. Our guide explains how to work out your energy usage, and what to do if you don’t have the information to hand.
- Using cash or cheques to pay your energy bill Lots of people have switched to electronic payments, but most energy companies will still accept older forms of payment
- How much energy does loft insulation save? Insulating your loft will almost certainly save you money. But how much? And what kind of loft insulation costs can you expect? We take a look
- How much does it cost to insulate my home and is it worth it? Read our guide to find out how insulating your home could save you money
- When is the best time to remortgage your home? You can remortgage to a new deal or lender at any time – but you need to consider interest rates and any fees you'll pay to switch
- How a property chain works when buying and selling A property chain is a series of related property transactions where each sale and purchase depends on the others. Delays anywhere in your property chain can delay your house purchase.
- What happens at the end of my interest-only mortgage? When your interest-only mortgage ends, you will still owe the mortgage lender the original capital you borrowed. So what should you do?
- Can I get a mortgage with a fair credit score? A poor credit rating can be a major barrier to getting a mortgage, but there are lenders prepared to help those whose applications may be refused elsewhere. Our guide explains more.
- Energy saving tips Energy prices are at record levels. So we put our heads together to come up with some simple steps to help trim your bills.
- Explaining Annual Percentage Rate Charge (APRC) You might think ‘APRC’ is just a rugby club you’ve never heard of before. But it is, in fact, a new way of showing the overall cost of your mortgage.
- Mortgage fees explained When you take out a mortgage, you may also have to pay an arrangement fee, valuation fee, booking charge, legal expenses, and so on. Here, we detail all you need to know about mortgage fees.
- Mortgage eligibility - what do lenders look for? Learn more about what mortgage lenders look at when deciding how much to let you borrow. Read ahead to discover all you need to know.
- How do energy bills work? Confused by your energy bills? Our helpful guide explains all
- Fuel Poverty If you're struggling to pay your energy bills this winter, there are ways to improve your situation
- Can I get government help to pay my energy bill? The government offers help to vulnerable and low income homes – see if you’re eligible for discounts on your fuel bill
- Is electricity cheaper at night? Off-peak explained If you’re looking to lower your energy bill, you might be able to save some money by running your appliances at certain hours. But you'll need to be a time-of-use tariff. Read on for all you need to know about peak and off-peak electricity usage.
- Green Homes Grant Now closed, the Government’s green initiative was aimed at making our homes more energy efficient and saving you some cash in the process. Here's how the scheme worked...
- Cavity Wall Insulation Insulating your home is a good way to keep the heat in, but it can also save you money too - here's how.
- Find my energy supplier Getting to grips with where your energy comes from is the perfect first step to understanding your bill, using less power, and switching to the best supplier and tariff.
- Are solar panels worth it in 2024? They’re increasingly common, but are solar panels worth the outlay? Will they save money on your electricity bills and do they offer good value with other low carbon energy options available? Read on and we’ll explain everything you need to know about buying domestic solar panels and generating your own solar energy.
- Winter fuel payment The government’s winter fuel payment can help you with the cost of your energy bills
- How To Read Your Electricity And Gas Meters Find out what you need to know about the different types of energy meters, and how to read them
- 24/7 boiler cover 24/7 Home Rescue delivers great value boiler cover, with impressive customer satisfaction ensuring it has an edge on its rivals
- What temperature should my boiler be in winter? Get your boiler temperature right and you can save money, as well as keep cosy in the cold weather. Here's how...
- Boiler maintenance
- How to prevent pipes freezing Worried your pipes are frozen? Or looking to ensure that your pipes stay safe during the winter? Then our comprehensive guide is here to help. Read on and we’ll explain how to prevent your pipes from freezing.
- gas safety
- Boiler cover only If your boiler breaks down, the last thing you need is the threat of a huge repair bill.
- The Green Deal explained Our guide tells you all you need to know about the Green Deal scheme
- How to keep your home warm in winter Tips and tricks to stay warm while keeping on top of your energy bills.
- Monthly Variable Direct Debit Energy bills are among our most costly household outgoings and knowing which payment method to choose can be confusing. Get some clarity with our full guide.
- What are seasonal payments for energy bills? One way you can pay your energy bill is in seasonal payments - four per year. Here's how that works, and what it means for your energy bills.
- Monthly direct debit Find out how paying your energy bills by direct debit could save you money.
- Payment Card Find out how energy payment cards work with our dedicated guide.
