What should I know about gas suppliers?

Many people treat their gas and electricity as things best left out of sight and out of mind, but this could prove harmful to your finances if you end up paying more than you need to for your home energy. By taking control of your energy usage and learning a little about who supplies gas to your home, you will be in a much better position to start making savings and stop worrying about your next bill.



If you've just moved into a new property, one of the first things you need to find out is who supplies your gas. Check for letters addressed to 'The New Occupier' or ask your landlord or previous owners or tenants which company they signed up with. You won't usually be obligated to continue using this company however, and if you carry out your research you should have a fair idea of which gas suppliers can offer you the best deals.



There are now many companies licensed to supply gas in the UK, which means there are some great savings to be made when choosing the right tariff - on the flip side, the sheer number of options available can sometimes make these difficult to track down. One important factor to keep in mind is that some gas suppliers operate on a regional basis while others are nationwide, but if you live in more remote or isolated areas you may not be able to benefit from some of the cheap deals available to those living in built-up urban areas.

You are guaranteed a reasonable level of service when you sign up with gas suppliers in the UK, as these companies need to be licensed by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). However, that's not to say all energy companies are equal, and there can sometimes be substantial variance in the amounts charged by different companies for much the same service. Studies have found that consumers could save around 10 per cent off the cost of their energy bills simply by switching to a cheaper tariff with another company, and you can lower your gas bills even further by avoiding excessive use of the valuable fossil fuel.



Although everyone in the UK has a legal right to a gas supply, according to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), there may be conditions which need to be satisfied before you are able to make use of gas services. These can include fixing broken or damaged pipes that could put your house at risk, or settling any outstanding payments you have with previous gas suppliers.



Daniel Collins writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.