Winter Fuel Rises for British Gas Customers

Most people know that British Gas are raising their electricity and gas prices for variable rate customers just in time for the cold winter months but not all energy companies are following their lead. Here’s what you can expect.

Although many reports have been around stating that wholesale prices have been rising during the year it was almost with shock that British Gas decided to raise their prices just in time for winter. But not all companies are doing this. Here’s a round up of what has been published so far.

If you have a fixed price tariff you are fine. Because of the nature of the fixed prices then no changes will occur until your fixed price tariff comes up for renewal.

EDF Energy have a winter price freeze– EDF announced that they are freezing their prices until at least 1st March 2011 for all standard residential tariffs. If you want to look at edf energy they also have the longest fixed term contract in the market with prices frozen until 2015 and all new customers receive a £100 welcome bonus for people that switch to EDF via one of their online tariffs.  To switch or check out EDF’s prices visit their website to find out more about their offers.

British Gas are raising their prices by 7% from 10th December for standard and variable type tariffs. BG are normally the first company to move in the market by either increasing or reducing prices and were the first to reduce gas prices at the beginning of this year.

Southern Electric and Scottish Power are raising their gas prices by 9% from 1st December on all standard and variable tariffs

Npower haven’t yet said what they will do but have been advertising their price fix 2012 product whereby prices are fixed until 31st December 2011. You need to pay by direct debit and you can get this either via their website or their telephone call centre.

Eon energy also haven’t moved their variable rate products at present and have launched two new products in the market with two capped price protection tariffs where the prices do not rise above the threshold you sign up to but if variable prices fall then you as the customer will take advantage of those reductions. More information can be found on their website but to take a look at all available tariffs click on the quote buttons at the top or bottom of this page.

How to find the best rates for your home or business

It’s is thought that wholesale prices will continue to rise so a fixed tariff may be an option to consider. To find out what prices are available for your home (because they vary for each region of the country) click the quote button below and simply enter your postcode to start your search. You’ll see all the current standard, discounted and fixed rate tariffs and switching is easy and painless as it’s all done for you. Don’t worry about switching as around 150,000 people switch suppliers each week in the UK !