Choosing the Right Electricity Supplier: British Gas

Switching to a new electricity supplier could save you a significant amount of money on your annual fuel bills, especially if you choose the right supplier to suit your circumstances. British Gas is one of the most popular energy companies in the United Kingdom, and offers a range of products and services to suit the individual. If you are considering switching to a new energy supplier, British Gas could be the right option for you.

British Gas

British Gas is one of the 'big six' energy companies, providing gas and electricity to millions of properties, both business and residential, around the UK. In addition to supplying energy, British Gas offers a range of different services, such as boiler and heating repair, installation and cover. They also offer cover and repair services for home appliances (e.g. washing machines and dishwashers), home electrics, plumbing and drainage systems. British Gas offers services for landlords, such as annual boiler inspection, as well as home insulation and solar panel technology.

British Gas Tariffs

British Gas offers a choice of tariffs, both variable and fixed. Variable tariffs offer flexibility, with the unit cost of gas and electric being subject to change, which means that the unit cost of your energy could rise or fall during your contract period. Fixed rate tariffs offer security for many people, as the unit cost of your gas and electricity is frozen for the duration of your contract period. This means that you have the financial security of knowing exactly how much you will pay per unit of energy, and you will not have to worry about future price hikes. However, if the unit price of energy is reduced, you will not reap the benefits, as your energy unit cost will remain fixed.

Variable tariffs often work out cheaper than fixed tariffs at the beginning of your contract, as fixed rate tariffs are usually set with unit rates slightly higher. These higher unit rates are to take account of price rises during the period of your contract. In the long run, however, fixed rate tariffs can prove cheaper, especially if there are significant price hikes in the cost of energy for variable tariffs.

The most popular tariff offered by British Gas is the Clear and Simple variable tariff, which comes with a 6% discount for customers paying by Direct Debit and a £15 annual discount for dual fuel customers. The Clear and Simple tariff also comes with a free electricity monitor that helps you to keep track of your energy usage.

The Online Variable August 2014 offers a variable tariff structure, online account management and a free energy monitor. It is currently the cheapest British Gas tariff, with a 4% discount on the standard variable tariff until August 2014. However, unlike with the Clear and Simple tariff, which has no cancellation fees, you will need to pay a fee of £30 (£60 for dual fuel customers) if you choose to switch to another supplier before the end of your contract.

The Price Promise April 2015 tariff is a fixed rate tariff that guarantees the unit cost of your energy until April 2015. However, initially, this tariff is more expensive than the variable tariffs, as the unit cost of energy has been fixed at a 9.4% premium against the standard rates. In addition, there is a cancellation fee of £50 (£100 for dual fuel customers) if you switch suppliers before April 2015.

The Price Promise July 2014 tariff is a fixed price tariff that guarantees the unit cost of your energy until July 2014. Prices are fixed at a 6.4% premium against the standard tariff, although you will not be subject to any price hikes during your contract period. There is a £35 cancellation fee (£70 for dual fuel customers) if you decide to change to another supplier. Unlike with the Price Promise April 2015 tariff, prepayment customers can also choose this tariff.

All British Gas tariffs come with the added option of EnergySmart, a free service that allows you to monitor and track your energy usage online. If you add EnergySmart to your tariff, you will receive a free energy monitor and a whole host of online tools to optimize your energy usage and reduce energy costs. In addition, if you choose British Gas as your electricity supplier, you can earn Nectar points on your payments.

Sam Jones the author,advisespeople wanting to know more about an cheap gas visit uSwitch.com the price comparison website.