Natural gas is one of the most popular forms of heating throughout the United Kingdom. As the winters here are known to be quite harsh, it only makes sense to work with the best companies in order to enjoy reduced rates as well as a host of other useful amenities. Let us briefly examine some of the hallmarks of a trustworthy firm before delving into some tips which will help you to find the most agreeable pricing package possible.
The Top Gas Providers in the United Kingdom
There are a handful of firms which as considered the “big six” in terms of the amount of gas that they supply as well as their reach throughout different portions of the country. As of the latest figures, these firms are as follows (in order from largest to smallest):
-
British Gas
-
EDF Energy
-
E. ON.
-
Npower
-
Scottish Power
-
SSE
You may have noted here that some of the companies mentioned above are also known as energy suppliers. This is actually quite convenient, as it is often possible to obtain both gas and power from the same firm. This helps to reduce your overall payments while it is also possible to pay one monthly bill as opposed to keeping track of numerous responsibilities. Now that we can appreciate the titans of this industry, let's take a look at some sure-fire ways to save money over time.
Speaking with the Company in Question
Before signing up for any type of gas plan, it is critical that you take some time to speak with a qualified representative. He or she will be able to answer all of the questions that you may have. You should always cover these topics from the very beginning:
-
What type of tariffs do they charge?
-
Are these fees subject to increase in the future?
-
How many points of contact are provided in the event that you have a question?
-
Are there any green incentive programmes offered by the firm?
-
Are they willing and able to provide a heating assessment before you commit to their services?
The Potential for Green Schemes
We mentioned green incentives in the last section, and for good reason. Many gas providers such as Scottish Energy will offer cash-back rebates and similar deals to those customers who are willing to upgrade their current gas/electric system to a more modern variant. In fact, a handful may even pay for the entire installation. Not only will this help you save a substantial amount of money over time, but modern units are expected to last as many as 20 years without requiring and major servicing. Furthermore, your home will be kept warmer during the autumn and the winter; key concerns for those living in the northern portions of the country.
So, use online sources as well as independent customer reviews in order to ascertain which firms offer the most attractive bundles. If possible, it may also be wise to use the same gas and electricity provider. Please feel free to refer back to this article in the future or when deciding upon a specific company.
Auto Switching Your Gas Provider To Better Deals
The largest, most experienced and therefore most trusted auto-switching site is Look After My Bills. They became known to the public after receiving the best Dragon's Den deal ever (at that time) and are now part of the GoCompare group. Signing up to the service is very quick as you only have to fill out one form (and you don't have to fill it out every year), and Look After My Bills will review your current plan against the market. If a better deal is found, then you will be automatically switched to it at no cost to you. They also have a big customer service team to help you. You can check them out here.
A newer auto-switching alternative is Migrate. You can see check them out here.
