Comparing Gas Suppliers
Have you been noticing your gas bills creeping up lately? Have you had to cut back on snacks or other luxuries to make up for the increased gas cost? Did you know that increasing numbers of people are falling into fuel poverty as gas prices climb? “An estimated half a million UK households have gone into fuel poverty as a direct result of the price increases in 2008 alone.” (UK Biz Yahoo) Are you looking for a way to lower your gas bill? You might want to consider comparing different gas suppliers.
Why should I compare gas suppliers?
Since the UK gas market was deregulated in 1998, over 7 million customers have switched gas providers and in most cases, lowered their bills.(UK Power) You may find that you could save some money with a different gas supplier.
Or in some cases, you may be able to save money without switching suppliers, but by switching to a different tariff or plan. A survey from financial information website Money Facts found 230 different gas tariffs available.(Money Facts) Yet the six top energy providers in the UK together claim over 90% of the customer market, (Uswitch) so each supplier has multiple tariffs available. Your gas supplier may not advertise all its different options, but it might be worth doing a little research to find if you could save money by switching.
How do I go about comparing gas suppliers?
While you may think it could take hours to look up all the various gas suppliers and tariffs available, and then compare their rates, the fact is there is a much simpler method. There are numerous gas and electricity online comparison sites that streamline the entire process.
However, to ensure that you receive accurate and trusted information, you may want to use a comparison service that is accredited by Energywatch, the UK consumer energy watchdog agency. As the proliferation of comparison sites increased, Energywatch established a Confidence Code for comparison sites and now lists 12 accredited sites that are in full compliance with the code.(Energywatch)
Which gas and electricity comparison sites are accredited?
As of July 2008, the following utility comparison sites are accredited by Energywatch.
Uswitch Energy Helpline Unravelit
Energylinx UKPower SwitchwithWhich
Money Expert Confused Saveonyourbills
The energy shop Moneysupermarket Homeadvisorservice
Is it hard to compare gas suppliers with these services?
No, actually in most cases, it can be done in just a few minutes and is a very simple process. However, you will need to have some basic information at hand. You will begin by entering your postcode and choosing what type of utility you wish to compare (i.e. gas). Most sites then ask for details of your current account, such as current supplier and tariff, payment method and average usage.
If you have a current gas bill with you when you start comparing suppliers, it should have all the information you’ll need.
Once you enter your information, a list of available suppliers in your area will appear, with different plans and rates. You can then click options for more information.
Does it cost anything to compare and switch gas suppliers?
No, there is no fee for consumers to switch suppliers. “All electricity and gas price comparison services receive a commission from the new supplier for finding them a new customer.” (Go Direct)
However, if you want to compare gas suppliers in an attempt to save money, you’d better do it quickly. UK gas prices are climbing rapidly, as British Gas announced a 35% gas rate increase on July 30, 2008. This rate hike will add an additional ₤262 to the average consumer’s annual gas bill. (This is Money)
Sean Gardner, director of website Money Expert, notes “Our research shows that around three million people switch their gas bills every six months. That figure could go through the roof as consumers try to get the cheapest tariff before the cold weather returns.” (This is Money)
And it is not expected to get any better. Adam Scorer of Energywatch warns “We expect to see major price rises from all energy companies before the year is out and probably by the autumn.” (Uswitch)
If your gas bill is climbing, now is the time to compare gas suppliers and attempt to find a plan that can save you some money.
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