Finding the Best Gas Supplier for You
British Gas was the monopoly provider of gas supplies in the UK until 1996. When competition was brought into the market, it was believed that gas prices would come down for the ordinary consumer.
ever, many people don’t switch from their current gas supplier, as they believe switching provider will prove a hassle.
This is despite the fact that changing your electricity or gas supplier can lower your bills – which is particularly helpful during difficult economic times.
It also doesn’t have to be complicated to change your provider. You don’t have to track down all the suppliers in your area and go about contacting them to see if they can reduce your bill, you can visit a price comparison site.
You may even be able to switch gas supplier with a few clicks of the mouse. Of course, there are other circumstances to take into account in addition to price when choosing a gas supplier.
You can check out their customer service rating – some sites allow you to review suppliers, so you can see how other consumers have rated each company before you switch.
Another thing to consider is the different payment plans that are on offer from the suppliers. You could save money straight away by changing to an Internet plan. If you are happy to manage your account and receive all your bills online, this could cut down on administration fees.
For those on a low income, you may be eligible for a social payment plan. Energy companies have to provide these payment plans, which are designed to help people in the most vulnerable positions to pay their bills.
For sheer ease, you may select a fixed plan. This means the cost of each unit of energy is fixed for a certain period. Alternatively, a capped plan means that the price of each unit won’t rise for a set period of time. However, if gas prices come down your energy bills could lower.
Different suppliers also provide their own standard pricing plans. Your choice of supplier will unavoidably be influenced by the plans that are available – and the one that suits you best.
This is why price comparison sites will always ask you about your current payment plan and the one you would prefer. You can compare the different tariffs quickly and easily to see which can save you the most. You can make great cost cutting by changing your gas supplier.