What is a gas only tariff?
A gas only tariff is exactly what it sounds like: a deal that covers your gas, and nothing else. No electricity bundled in. Loads of households never realise it’s even an option. They stick with dual fuel out of habit, quietly assuming one supplier for both must be the cheapest way to do it. That assumption is exactly what your supplier is banking on. It isn’t always true.
If your home has a gas meter, you can shop for gas on its own. Keep your electricity where it is, or move it somewhere else entirely. The gas keeps flowing through the same pipes either way. Switching only changes who sends the bill, not the supply itself. And if a gas only tariff doesn’t work out, you can always switch again later. Nothing here ties you in for good.
Can you get gas without electricity from the same supplier?
Yes. You’re free to split your fuels: a gas only tariff from one supplier, an electricity deal from another. It’s called split fuel, and it’s completely allowed under the rules. Most of the big suppliers will sell you gas on its own, and comparison sites let you look at gas by itself.
For years the received wisdom was that dual fuel always won, thanks to a small loyalty discount for keeping both together. These days that discount is often tiny, or gone altogether, and some standalone deals now come in under the equivalent bundle. So splitting can pay off. Whether it does comes down to your usage, your region and the deals that are live on the day you look.
How gas standing charges work on a gas only supply
Every gas meter carries a daily standing charge. You pay it just to stay connected, whether you burn loads of gas or none at all. On a typical direct debit gas meter that’s around £100 a year before you’ve used a single unit, based on Ofgem’s cap figures (checked July 2026). The exact amount depends on your region and how you pay.
That standing charge matters most when you use very little gas. If your heating is electric and the gas only runs a hob, the daily fee can end up being most of your bill. Under the July 2026 price cap the average gas unit rate sits at around 7.3p per kWh, so for a light user it’s the standing charge, not the units, that’s worth watching. For a household that barely touches the gas, that fixed daily cost is the part worth shopping around. Our guide to standing charges explained goes deeper on how that fee is set.
When a gas only tariff makes sense, and when it does not
A gas only tariff is worth a proper look in a few situations. Maybe your electricity is locked into a fix you’re happy with. Maybe you want to chase the cheapest gas unit rate without touching your power supply. Or maybe a standalone gas deal has simply landed below your current dual fuel price.
It makes less sense if you still get a real dual fuel discount, or if you like having one supplier, one login and one bill. There’s the faff factor too: two accounts means two direct debits and two lots of customer service. None of that is a dealbreaker. It’s just worth weighing up before you split.
Ofgem is trialling something relevant here as well. From April 2026 a one year pilot lets some customers pick a lower standing charge tariff, with EDF, E.ON, Octopus and British Gas taking part. For low gas users, a deal that trims the daily fee in exchange for a slightly higher unit rate could be worth watching as the trial rolls out. You can read the detail on Ofgem’s site.
5 things to check before you switch to a gas only tariff
Your gas only tariff checklist
- The standing charge, not just the unit rate. For a low gas user the daily fee often matters more than the price per unit.
- Any exit fees on your current deal. Leaving a fix early can carry a charge, so check what’s left to run.
- Whether you lose a dual fuel discount. If it’s still meaningful, splitting might cost more than it saves.
- The unit rate against today’s cap. Compare any fixed gas rate with the current price cap so you know whether you’re beating it.
- Your yearly gas usage in kWh. You’ll find it on a recent bill, and it’s the single best guide to whether a gas only tariff suits you.
Run those five checks and you’ll know pretty quickly whether a gas only deal is a smart move or a false economy. Roo can line the deals up side by side so you’re comparing like with like. If you’re not sure how the numbers fit together, our explainer on how UK energy tariffs work lays out the parts of a bill in plain English, and energy exit fees explained covers what leaving early can cost.
Frequently asked questions about gas only tariffs
- Can I really buy gas and electricity from different suppliers?
- Yes. Split fuel is allowed, so you can take a gas only tariff from one supplier while your electricity stays with another. Your supply isn’t interrupted when you switch.
- Will switching to a gas only tariff cut off my gas?
- No. The gas travels through the same pipes and network no matter who bills you. A switch usually completes within about five working days, and you shouldn’t notice any change to your supply.
- Is a gas only tariff cheaper than dual fuel?
- Sometimes, but not always. Dual fuel discounts have shrunk in recent years, so a standalone gas deal can win. It depends on your usage, your region and the deals available, so it’s worth comparing both.
- Do I still pay a standing charge on a gas only tariff?
- Yes. The daily gas standing charge applies whether you use gas or not, at around £100 a year on a typical direct debit meter (Ofgem cap figures, checked July 2026). Low users feel it most.
