Electricity and Gas Switching Guide

The recent credit crunch has us thinking about how to save money, and there are few quicker ways to do so than by getting a better deal on your gas and electricity bills. Changing your suppliers is easier than you may think, and with so much competition prices can vary considerably meaning you might be able to make significant savings.

Switching does not involve changing any meters or pipes. The only things you will notice is that your bills will come from a different supplier and that they are a bit cheaper.

To find the cheapest suppliers available where you live, there are lots of price comparison sites internet that are quick and easy to use. You only need your address and a few details from your recent bills to see if you can make savings.

Dual fuel deals, where you get your gas and electricity from the same supplier, can often be cheaper than using separate suppliers. British Gas for example have an online Dual Fuel deal which can save the average customer over one hundred pounds if they switch.

You can apply to a new supplier online or by telephone. Once you have been accepted, let your previous suppliers know you are changing. You may even find that they then offer you a better deal to stay!

If you do want to switch, the process is pretty straightforward. Just give your old and new suppliers meter readings when the switch takes place to make sure you can settle up with your previous supplier and begin to be charged by the new one.

The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) regulates the gas and electricity markets, and they work to make sure that there is fair competition between all the different suppliers. As a result, in the UK there is a very competitive energy market so make sure you take advantage of the available deals.

To further reduce your gas and electricity bills, make sure that your home is as energy efficient as possible. By getting a cheaper tariff and reducing your energy consumption you could be able to make substantial savings on your utilities bills.

British Gas provide the cheapest electric prices on average in the UK. For more information on how to take advantage of these electricy prices get a quote at britishgas.co.uk.