Is BG as expensive as people say?

mrsausages

I have been weighed down with a guilty feeling that I should be changing my supplier, as I had heard that BG is one of the more expensive options. So I sat down this morning and put my details into the Energyline comparison site.

I currently have BG for both gas and electricity, which I pay by monthly DD and have taken the no paper statements option.

The best saving the site came up with was £31 per year - and that was the Powergen 'Age Concern' rate which I suspect I will not be eligable for (I'm 32!).

I have always been happy with the service from BG so my temptation is not to change. But still at the back of my mind I have the feeling that BG has a reputation for being expensive.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Peter.

Cardew

BG Rates for electricity vary widely depending on what part of the UK you live in, as do the other utility companies. For example BG might be more expensive than, say Powergen in Scotland, but cheaper than Powergen in the Midlands. It also depends on how much gas and electricity you use.

As a general rule BG are competitive for electricity - sometimes the cheapest - but usually one of the most expensive for Gas.

As the dual fuel discount with BG is small you may find greater savings by using BG for electricity but another company for gas. The savings on gas more than compensating for the loss of the dual fuel discount.

However the problem with all of these calculations is the tariffs of the different companies keep leapfrogging each other and what is the best deal today might be a poor deal tomorrow.

apples1

I am in process of changing my electricity supplier to British Gas as energyhelpline.com said they were cheapest when I put in all my details. Told it should save me about £75 per year. We don't have gas (not available here) but they came up best for elec! I'd be tempted to stay put.

Curry_Queen

I'll let you know when I start to get my bills in!

I've recently moved and now have the dual fuel tariff on BG, whereas previously I was on dual fuel tariff with Powergen, but on initial calculations of usage so far BG do seem to be slightly cheaper (if I've done my sums right!)

Jeannine

I'm in practically the same situation as you mrsausages (except I pay quarterly) and I've been dithering as to whether I should change from BG (I'm in Norfolk). I haven't done so and don't think I will, as the savings would appear to be minimal according to all the 'switching' websites and I believe that even if one company may be slightly cheaper now, it probably won't be in a few months time. So, I'm sticking with BG!

scorour

Curry_Queen wrote:

I'll let you know when I start to get my bills in!

I've recently moved and now have the dual fuel tariff on BG, whereas previously I was on dual fuel tariff with Powergen, but on initial calculations of usage so far BG do seem to be slightly cheaper (if I've done my sums right!)

Same situation as me, just moved from dual fuel PowerGen to duel fuel BG as this came out as cheapest. At the moment kind of regretting it, not because of any cost, just the nightmare of trying to get it all sorted.

I prefer to do everything online, but BG keep sending letter after letter, gas and leccy on different letters, keep saying we are paying cash/chq, but we signed up for DD for extra saving (told them on the phone also). I sent meter readings online, then got seperate letters asking for readings which I sent, now this morning they phoned asking for the readings!

Just hope it all settles down....