There are more than half a dozen of major gas suppliers in UK like British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy etc and equal no. of smaller ventures like Green Energy and EBI Co. Although gas prices have been rocketing high for quite some time, few of the top retailers have really brought their tariff down. Below is a list of some of UK’s most important players in gas retailing and their new revised tariff rates:

Company

Sub Brands/Tariff Names

In effect from

Ave. main tariff CHANGE (1)

Gas

Major Companies’ and their Tariffs

British Gas

Scottish Gas, Nwy Prydain

(19/02/09) 07/05/09

(-10%)

E.ON

Staywarm ( not included in price cuts)

(31/03/09) 03/07/09

-3.3%

npower

Juice

31/03/09

0%

Scottish power

Manweb

31/03/09

-7.5%

EDF Energy

London Energy, SEEBOARD SWEB Energy

31/03/09

0%

Scottish & Southern Energy

Atlantic, SWALEC, Scottish Hydro

30/03/09

-4%

Smaller Companies’ and their Tariffs

EBI Co

Equi-Power, Equi-Gas

30/03/09

-2.5%

Utilita

03/09/08

+49.8%

Utility Warehouse

01/04/09

-2.3%

Excepting a few gas suppliers like Utilita and Ecotricity, all other companies have brought down their charges. Utilita eventually turns out to be the biggest choker with an increase of almost 50% in gas prices . People can opt for better deals by switching suppliers while being simultaneously well aware that fuel prices do have seasonal fluctuations. Some websites provide great comparison tools which can help one to decide on a particular retailer. Some switching agencies also give cash-back offers which might just help in saving a few extra pounds. Agencies like Energyhelpline*, Energylinx*, UKPower* give a cash-back offer of £ 15 per switch. There are also many others who come up with different offers from time to time. Although the home gas prices are low, it has been claimed that the low-carbon transition plan by the government which was launched earlier this month, could have a significant effect on business gas bills.

Whatever be the current charges over gas consumption ,one cannot afford to waste energy as conservation is also a form of savings. Avoiding overheating or overcooking of food and water are just some of the small measures which would help in saving energy and minimize heedless wastage. British Gas can be commended as a gas supplier for opening a new skills centre in Wales which will train people in how to install energy-saving technologies. Hope others will also follow suite.