Choosing Gas Suppliers
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 change from their current gas supplier, as they perceive switching provider will prove a hassle.
This is even though the fact that switching your electricity or gas supplier can save you money - which is particularly useful during a recession.
It also doesn’t have to be difficult to switch your provider. You don’t have to track down all the suppliers that operate in your area and go about contacting them to see if they can lower your costs, you can use a price comparison site.
You could even be able to switch gas supplier with a few clicks of the mouse. Of course, there are other circumstances to consider as well as 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 people have rated each supplier before you switch.
Another thing to examine is the various payment plans that the suppliers offer. You could save money immediately by converting 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.
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 difficult positions to pay their bills.
For sheer ease, you may select a fixed plan. This means the price of each unit of energy is fixed for a certain period. Alternatively, a capped plan means that the price of each unit won’t go up for a set period of time. However, if gas prices fall during that time your energy bills could lower.
Suppliers also provide their own standard pricing plans. Your choice of supplier will inevitably be determined by the plans that are available - and the one that suits you best.
This 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 cost cutting by changing your gas supplier.