The Smarter Way To Compare Gas Providers

At the moment, gas is significantly cheaper than electricity in terms of the cost per unit (6.99p vs 27.03p). However, gas is also inefficient and bad for the environment. Additionally, gas boilers, in particular, are expensive to maintain and replace, and could be banned by the government soon anyway.

Gas prices depend on a wide array of factors. These range from global production levels and changing supply chain costs to unexpected weather conditions, such as a particularly long winter. Each of these elements and many more can affect individual gas companies in different ways. In addition, gas suppliers often purchase gas months or even years in advance to mitigate potential gas price rises.

For consumers, the simplest way to ensure fair rates from a gas supplier is to frequently compare gas prices from different suppliers. The only thing that keeps the gas market competitive is the prospect of customers switching gas suppliers.

Many suppliers claim to offer green gas, but this is usually just gas that they offset through sustainability schemes and similar initiatives. The only supplier that offers 100% green gas, which it achieves through a process called anaerobic digestion, is 100Green.

Yes, you can switch gas supplier if you rent and you’re responsible for your utility bills. If your landlord is responsible for them, you won’t be able to switch (though there’s nothing to stop you from asking). Your lease should say whether it’s your responsibility to switch energy supplier.

To make sure you’re on the cheapest gas deal, you should make a habit of switching every 12-18 months whenever your fixed energy plan is coming to an end. If you don’t switch before your fixed plan ends you’ll be rolled onto your supplier’s standard variable or default tariff, which is typically the most expensive type of plan.

In terms of the calendar year, it’s best to compare gas deals and switch around autumn, before the winter months. This can help you ensure you’re not overpaying in winter when your gas and electricity usage is likely to be higher.

No. One of the misconceptions when you switch gas or electricity plans is that by going to a cheaper gas supplier you will be compromising good customer service. When you compare gas suppliers on Uswitch, your table of results allows you to click through to customer reviews and view specific supplier details.

It includes customer satisfaction ratings, so you can also compare gas suppliers in terms of customer service and not just cheaper gas prices.

You can also compare gas and electricity suppliers’ performance in our annual customer satisfaction survey, with big differences between the best and worst performers every year.