It may come as a surprise when you compare gas prices, but the amount you pay could depend on the type of meter you have in your home.
Around six million people in the UK use a prepayment meter, which means they have to pay for electricity and gas upfront. While this can have some advantages (for example, no bills coming in), it does usually means that you will pay an above average rate for utilities.
Using a prepayment meter means you can easily see the amount of gas you use. This will help you manage your budget more effectively. If you have gone into arrears with your energy supplier, a prepayment meter can help you clear this.
The downside is that, if you compare gas prices, you will quickly notice that prepayment meters have many disadvantages. The most obvious is the inconvenienceof having to make trips to the shop to top up your card or key. And if you don’t get topped up in time, your gas supply could be switched off until you top up.
In addition, the best deals on the energy market are not available to people who pay their gas using a prepayment meter.
If you are on a prepayment meter, it’s a good idea to compare gas prices available using a conventional credit meter, to see if it could save you money.
You can switch to a credit account if you have been debt free for at least three months.
Once you have a standard meter in place, you can compare the various gas suppliers’ tariffs, to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
The quickest way to do this is to go to a price comparison site. Instead of contacting all your local suppliers to compare gas prices, all you have to do is answer a few straightforward questions.
Some suppliers enable you to switch online, through the comparison siteso you could begin saving money immediately.
Whether you decide to stay with a prepayment meter, or switch onto a standard meter, you may be able to cut your bills when you compare gas prices and switch supplier.
