The Smarter Way to Compare Green Energy

• Wind energy — The UK has many wind farms, both on and offshore.
• Hydroenergy — Also known as hydropower, this form of renewable energy uses water turbines to generate electricity.
• Tidal energy — Another form of hydroenergy that utilises tides to run water turbines.
• Solar energy — About a million households in the UK have solar panels for their home. These panels convert light from the sun into electricity and allow homes to generate their own green energy.
• Biomass — Involves burning organic materials to produce electricity.
• Geothermal — The use of the natural heat below the earth’s surface to generate green electricity or heat homes directly.

Most green energy plans offer 100% renewable electricity, while many suppliers are also beginning to offer a level of “green gas” by turning organic matter into biomethane. Green gas comes from a process called anaerobic digestion, where bacteria is used to break down food or farm waste to produce gas. This green gas is carbon neutral as it is produced from materials that absorb CO2 that is then released back when the gas burns.

Hopefully in the future all gas can come from renewable sources but at the moment, there are not enough biomethane plants in the UK to make it a cost effective alternative to fossil fuels. This means suppliers still have to use natural gas to make sure customer demand is met. Some suppliers invest in additional carbon offset schemes to make sure the natural gas used is carbon neutral, even where green gas is not available.

Green energy plans can cost a little more than non-green plans, but what’s important to note is that they will almost always still be cheaper than a standard variable plan. While your green plan may not be the absolute cheapest deal on the market, a fixed deal should still be at the lower end of what’s on offer.

The best green supplier is different for everyone. Each supplier operates differently, has varying prices for tariffs and offers different things to customers. You may prioritise the cheapest green energy supplier, or one that has a strong customer service record. Make sure you take your time and compare green energy suppliers before signing up to a deal to make sure you’re completely happy with your choice.

When it comes to choosing a green energy supplier, everyone prioritises different things. Price could be key for you, and while green tariffs are generally a bit more expensive than non-green tariffs, a fixed green deal will still probably cost you less than a standard variable tariff.

If the source of your green energy is important to you, check potential green suppliers’ fuel mixes to see how the green electricity is sourced. This will allow you to see which providers are actually green and which might still be generating a percentage of their power through fossil fuels. When it comes to green gas, the best way to check is via the Plan Info section accessible through the results table when you compare energy deals through Uswitch. This clearly explains how green the green tariff is, assuming you’ve selected one. It’s important to be aware that any green gas generated is almost certainly going to be mixed with natural gas as the UK doesn’t produce enough green gas to supply the whole country. However, most companies offer carbon offsetting as an alternative to green gas, so ensure you have a look at the way they do this before signing up.

There are other factors that might affect which green energy supplier you use, such as customer service records and rewards or add-ons. Make sure you know what your priority is, and use that to guide your decision.

Electric vehicles use electricity, but whether the electricity is green or not is up to you and the tariff you sign up to. The electricity is only green if it comes from a renewable source which, if you’ve decided to invest in an electric vehicle, should already be something you’re thinking about. If the electricity you power your vehicle with isn’t renewable, it negates the point of buying the vehicle in the first place and will result in a less positive impact on the environment.

Biomass may be counted as renewable source of energy, but it isn’t as clearcut a source as the likes of solar or wind energy. The main issue is that burning biomass waste releases CO2 and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Because plants and trees can be planted to replace those used in the process, it’s still technically a renewable energy source, but those harmful effects of biomass production have meant that many energy suppliers are now reconsidering its place in their fuel mixes.

The material needed to power a nuclear power plant is not renewable. The rare type of uranium that most plants use is a finite resource like coal so, although nuclear power plants generate clean power that doesn’t pollute the environment when it’s generated, it can’t be truly called renewable.