How MILLIONS of energy customers could cut their bills by £106 by doing this one simple thing
British Gas has two new and cheaper energy tariffs and this is how existing customers can take advantage of the deal too
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BRITISH Gas has launched two new and cheaper dual-fuel deals aimed at encouraging new customers to switch - but existing customers can get the deal too if you know how.
One of the tariffs is with British Gas and the other is with Sainsbury's Energy, who is supplied by the energy giant, and both could help you see a 12 per cent drop in your bill.
The deal is only available through price comparison websites like USwitch and so you won't be able to get it by asking British Gas directly.
If you're an existing customer, you won't automatically be rolled on to the deal so you'll have to go through the price comparison sites too.
The deals are dual-fuel fixed tariffs which means they will supply your electricity and your gas and are around 12 per cent cheaper than its previous cheapest standard tariffs.
Even though we write a lot about how switching energy supplier can save up to £300 a year, many people still prefer to stick with one of the big six suppliers.
A household with typical usage on a British Gas standard tariff will expect to pay £1,101 a year.
But under the new tariff, British Gas customers can expect to pay around £995 a year and Sainsbury's £1,004 a year - that's a saving of up to £106.
Of course, your savings will depend on how much energy you use and where you live. Sadly, the tariff isn't available in Northern Ireland.
The rates are fixed-term - which means you'll continue to pay the same per energy unit for a specific amount of time - and British Gas promise there will be no hikes until January 2019 and November 2018 with Sainsbury's Energy.
But a fixed-term agreement doesn't mean that your energy bill will be the same every month as it depends on how much you use.
There are a few catches with the British Gas tariff.
You'll need to get a free smart meter, which you'll will need to get installed before July 31 2018. These automatically send metre readings to your energy supplier so you'll be sent a bill for exactly when you use each month.
You'll also have to sign up to British Gas Rewards which gives you exclusive offers and giveaways from them and other brands, like Sky Store movies, but you don't have to claim them if you don't want to.
The British Gas tariff also requires you to go paperless so you'll need to log on to see your bill.
Both of the tariffs will charge you £40 exit fee if you choose to leave them early, before your contract ends.
GAZ GUZZLER How you could save HUNDREDS of pounds a year by switching energy supplier – but should you opt for a fixed deal?
Now might be the time for British Gas customers to switch to the tariffs as nearly 3.1 million of their customers may have seen their electricity prices rocket by 12.5 per cent since September.
Whilst this is good news for people who don't want to leave British Gas, you can get a better deal if you switch energy supplier completely.
Comparison site MoneySuperMarket recently found that a typical household is throwing away £300 a year on failing to switch energy suppliers.
If you're thinking of switch but don't know how or aren't sure how to get the best deal, get clued up with our guide.
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