British Gas was the monopoly provider of gas supplies in the UK until 1996. When competition was brought into the market, it was thought 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 be problematic.
This is despite the fact that changing your electricity or gas supplier can save you money - which is particularly important during difficult economic times.
Also, it’s not difficult to switch your provider. Rather than tracking down all the suppliers in your area and get in touch with them to see if they can lower your costs, you can use a price comparison site.
You may even be able to switch gas supplier on the site itself. Of course, there are other conditions to take into account in addition to price when choosing a gas supplier.
You can look at their customer service rating - some comparison sites allow you to review suppliers you have used, so you can see how other users have rated each company before you move.
Another thing to consider is the various payment plans that the suppliers offer. You could save money immediately by switching to an Internet plan. If you are confident you can manage your account and receive all your bills online, this could lower administration fees.
If you are on a low income, you may qualify for a social payment plan. Energy companies must provide these payment plans, which are designed to help people in the most vulnerable positions to pay their bills.
For sheer simplicity, you may select a fixed plan. This means the cost of each unit of energy is fixed for a certain period. Alternatively, choosing a capped plan means that the price of each unit won’t rise over a set period of time. However, if gas prices come down your energy bills could come down.
Different suppliers also provide their own standard pricing plans. Your choice of supplier will unavoidably be determined by the plans that are available - and the one that suits you best.
That is why price comparison sites will always ask you for your current payment structure and the one you would prefer. You will be able to compare the different tariffs quickly and easily to see which will save you the most. You can make great savings by changing your gas supplier.
