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It is welcome news that many energy suppliers have launched attractive new tariffs during the holiday period, offering the best savings we have seen in a while. More than before, however, these deals are restricted, or available in certain regions only. So read up our roundup here and then get your savings by switching on our easy to use comparison service:

• Npower Sign Online version 15: This tariff was launched July 20th and for a short while was the cheapest of all offers. The tariff is available nationally and customers without a gas connection can also apply. However, dual fuel customers should take note of the generous £100 fixed annual cashback offer, which benefits low energy consumers in particular. Sign Online is an Internet-only offer, which means that you should be prepared to use the npower website to manage.

• EDF Online Energy v5: Also launched at the end of July, this is the first time in a year that EDF have revived its cheap Online Energy offer. This online-only tariff is available as a dual fuel offer only, and not available in regions where EDF is the incumbent electricity supplier (London, Sweb and Seeboard). It is also not available for customer with an economy 7 supply. Still, for qualifying households it represents one of the best deals available, with savings routinely at £200 or more.

• E.ON: Not to be outdone, The UK’s third largest energy supplier by customer numbers rebadged and cheapened its lead discount offer as Save Online v1 in early August. This tariff is available in many versions (with or without a Standing Charge, with or without gas, with or without economy 7), and available across England, Scotland and Wales. Pricewise, it comes closest to the EDF offer.

• First:utility: Last, but not least, the youngest supplier on the block first:utility launched a cheap new Smart Meter tariff that combines savings with the installation of a new ‘smart’ meter capable of communicating energy consumption to the supplier (thus making sure that you always pay for what you use, without relying on estimates). This is an online and dual fuel – only tariff (no economy 7 version available), which is available in two regions only – Midlands and East Midlands.

Compared to the misery of last summer – when consumer prices shot up by as much as 35% in one go – this summer has turned out far more consumer friendly. However, not all deals are available everywhere, so check out which one is best for you with our comparison service. Prices are due to go up again at the end of the year, so make the best of it for as long as it lasts!

Florian Ritzmann is Product Director at Xelector, and has been working with energy companies for the last 10 years.