British Gas - to switch or not to switch?

bristolleedsfan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048272#Comment_82048272

I would go on Chat, say want to put complaint in not able to switch gas tariff via comparison site, existing customer had success via phone.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048250#Comment_82048250

kassy64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048272#Comment_82048272

I am a current Fixed BG customer (current deal end in about 3 weeks) and did exactly this earlier this morning via money supermarket and secured the Fixed Exclusive Aug27 v4 deal. I only use electricity and it was fine (there is a tick box), use same details (email/phone etc). My BG account is already showing the 'upcoming' tariff with a start date of tomorrow. Try money supermarket its the same tarriff, found it a simple process. As for setting new direct debit, just fill in the boxes and it will update your current DD, that's what's happened with mine anyway, wouldn't worry too much worst case scenario is cancel the old one if both still in operation.

rosamy52

Thanks everyone. I've looked at the unit rates and standing charges and this is what they are. British Gas is looking quite a bit cheaper over all but I still can't quite decide! I do generally use less than estimates reckon and have a decent bit of credit with Octopus which I'd get back if I left of course but maybe I should stay given customer service rep. I'm also fortunate enough to get the winter fuel discount… argh if only I could think straight, brain fog is strong today!

Octopus fixed
Electricity unit charge: 24.55p/kWh
Electricity standing charge: 59.59p/day
Gas unit charge: 6.80p/kWh
Gas standing charge: 29.06p/day

Octopus flexible
Electricity unit charge: 23.81p/kWh
Electricity standing charge: 59.59p/day
Gas unit charge: 5.69p/kWh
Gas standing charge: 29.06p/day

British Gas
Electricity
Unit rate 21.337p kWh
Standing charge 60.982p per day

Gas
Unit rate 6.075p kWh
Standing charge 22.361p per day

barker77

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048814#Comment_82048814

does it say if this is renewable energy please ?

rosamy52

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048911#Comment_82048911

No idea… I don't remember seeing anything about it either way.

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048911#Comment_82048911

Here's what BG says. Note this is last year's fuel mix, so includes coal which was switched off during 2025.

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/guides/energy-sources.html

Ildhund

@rosamy52 wrote:

Octopus flexible
Electricity unit charge: 23.81p/kWh
Electricity standing charge: 59.59p/day …

Are those current rates, or the ones coming into effect on 1 July? There's probably a world of difference!

rosamy52

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049208#Comment_82049208

The ones they've offered me for when my current deal finishes at the end of July.

barker77

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82048973#Comment_82048973

thanks - different tariffs are seemingly allocated different amounts of renewables. It’s clearly something thr cheaper tariffs are normally all fossil fuel generated.

jimi_man

We are on British Gas for electricity only. No complaints about them. I send the meter readings in every month, more so I can see what I’m using than anything else and I can look at all the figures/bills online. Seems straightforward. Looking around they seem cheap enough - 22.86 per kWh and 43.39 a day Standing charge.

On my experience thus far I’d recommend them. Not sure what else they could provide really?