Energy Suppliers

British Gas

British Gas is a UK-owned company that is part of the Centrica group. As the UK’s biggest energy supplier, it provides gas, electricity and home repair services to millions of customers across England, Scotland and Wales.

• British Gas services
• Switching
• History of British Gas
• Environmental responsibility
• Community work

British Gas services

British Gas offer 3 tariffs for their gas, electricity and dual fuel range:

• WebSaver 6
• Standard
• Fixed Price Guarantee

The standard tariff offers variable pricing; the fixed price tariff freezes the price of your electricity and gas, and WebSaver 6 is an online tariff which offers you discounts for managing your own account.

British Gas additionally offers green energy tariffs called Future Energy and Zero Carbon, which, for an additional fee, help to develop renewable energy sources and reduce your carbon footprint.

Other products from British Gas include prepayment meters, boiler installation and the HomeCare central heating maintenance and repair service.

Switching

If you feel that your current tariff no longer suits your needs, consider switching to a more economical option.

Switching is easier than you think. All you need to do is submit a few details about your existing deal into the EnergyChoices.co.uk calculator and find out how much you could save.

Read our guide to switching energy suppliers for more information.

History of British Gas

The British Gas corporation was formed in 1973, with the twelve old Gas Boards dividing into regions, each responsible for a particular geographical area.

In 1986, the British Gas Corp transferred to British Gas plc, and shares in British Gas plc were offered for sale.

By 1994, gas business in Great Britain was restructured into five units:

1. Transco – for transportation and storage
2. Public gas supply
3. Business gas
4. Service and retail
5. E&P and global

The British Gas that we know today began to emerge in 1997, with the company being de-merged into two strands: BG plc and Centrica.

The focus of BG plc is transportation, research and technology. Centrica, on the other hand, is concerned with retail and trading.

In 1997, BG was split into BG and Lattice, and in 2002, Lattice merged with the National Grid to form National Grid Transco.

Environmental responsibility

In addition to offering the environmentally conscious tariffs Future Energy and Zero Carbon, British Gas offer a free bespoke ‘Energy Savers Report’ which outlines ways that you can save energy in your home.

They also provide home insulation services and green gadgets such as Standby Busters and solar powered torches. If you’re interested in ways of generating your own hot water using the sun’s energy, British Gas can help with solar panel installation too.

Take a look at our summary of green tariffs. By signing up to an environmentally friendly energy tariff you can do a little more to help save the planet. The amount of energy you use will be matched by British Gas, and the equivalent will be supplied by them from a renewable source back to the national grid.

Community work

British Gas are committed to investing back into the community, piloting such schemes as ‘Here to Help’, a winter rebate initiative for vulnerable customers, and ‘REECH’, a programme that helps members of ethnic minorities overcome the barriers that prevent them from affordably heating their homes.

January 2008 saw the introduction of the ‘Winter Warmer’ initiative, which comprises a winter credit of up to £90 and free loft insulation for their most vulnerable customers, particularly the elderly.