Energy Guides

British Gas green tariffs

British Gas (www.britishgas.co.uk) offers two green alternatives: Future Energy and Zero Carbon. If you're thinking about going green, get the full run down of what these environmentally friendly tariffs provide...

Future Energy - can be taken in conjunction with any electricity package, and involves British Gas supplying as much renewable electricity to the national grid as you use.

Costs £2 a month

Environmental advantages:

• The amount of electricity that you use is matched by British Gas; this amount is then extracted from renewable sources and supplied back to the national grid
• The national grid, in turn, supplies electricity back to homes, thus completing a full circle
• £2 a month charge contributes to the British Gas ‘Energy for Tomorrow’ fund, a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing renewable energy sources and technologies for the future.

Don't forget

• The monthly fee can be raised at any time during the contract, the duration of which is 12-months. However, there are no cancellation fees should you wish to leave.
• By government legislation, 7.9% of an energy companies’ supplies must come from renewable sources. According to the National Consumer Council (NCC) 2007, all homeowners, whether they choose a green tariff or not, are already paying £7 a year to help energy companies to meet their legal requirements.

Is it right for me?

Future energy is a great, low cost way to begin caring for the environment and investing in renewable energy. If, however, you want to be completely carbon neutral, then Zero Carbon is the option for you.

Additionally, if you’re currently on a standard tariff then you can do more for the environment by switching to the Online Energy online tariff. By opting for paperless billing, you’ll save trees and energy.

Zero Carbon - can be taken in conjunction with any dual fuel package. It leaves no carbon footprint from the gas and electricity that is supplied to your home. 100% of your carbon emissions are offset by British Gas.

Costs £7 a month

Environmental advantages:

• Your complete gas and electricity supply are matched in renewable energy by British Gas, thus reducing your carbon footprint to zero
• £7 a month charge contributes to the British Gas ‘Energy for Tomorrow’ fund, and will enable British Gas to buy 12% more than their legal obligation of green electricity
• The charge will also help educate children on energy and environmental issues as part of the ‘Think Energy’ scheme.

Don't forget

• The monthly fee can be raised at any time during the contract, the duration of which is 12-months. However, there are no cancellation fees should you wish to leave the contract, and you will be notified of any changes up 65 days in advance of them happening.

Is it right for me?

This British Gas Zero Carbon tariff is unique; it provides a completely carbon neutral energy supply. Other suppliers offer extra incentives with their green energy, such as Tesco Green clubcard points (E.ON) and donations to the RSPB (Scottish & Southern Energy), but they cannot match this level of environmental autonomy.

If you’re willing and able to spend more on your energy bills, then this tariff is for you.

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