Who Is British Gas in the UK?
British Gas is known as the UK’s biggest energy supplier. The company has helped millions of homes for over 200 years. British Gas is part of Centrica. It is one of the few energy companies in the UK that can supply energy to homes, make energy, and trade energy in large amounts.
British Gas gives electricity and gas to homes and businesses. There are many available tariffs that you can pick from. These include fixed rate tariffs, prepayment tariffs, dual fuel deals, and some special tariffs for electric cars. British Gas also puts in smart meters. You can get cover for your boiler, too. It has other offers, like the Smart Export Guarantee, for people who have solar panels.
Because British Gas is big and has good systems, the company has an important job in the UK energy market. When Ofgem’s price cap changes, British Gas updates its standard variable tariff in a similar way to other big suppliers. This keeps the variable tariff close to what others do in the energy market.
Cheapest British Gas Tariff – From October 2025
From 1st October, the price cap rates set by Ofgem will decide the maximum amount that suppliers can charge for each unit of energy. This is for customers on standard variable tariffs. If you are in a dual fuel home and pay by direct debit, this cap is based on Ofgem’s average use. That is 2,700 kWh for electricity and 11,500 kWh for gas.
- Electricity: It costs 25.73p for each kWh. The daily standing charge is 51.37p.
- Gas: It costs 6.33p for every kWh. The daily standing charge is 29.82p.
- The total bill is about £1,720 each year.
This is the amount that British Gas uses for its dual fuel tariff on the SVT.
British Gas gives you available fixed tariffs. These rates are lower. You can feel more peace of mind with them. You do not have to worry about price rises during the next 12 months.
British Gas Tariff Information – October 2025
| Tariff Name | Contract Length | Daily Standing Charge (Electricity) | Unit Rate (Electricity) | Daily Standing Charge (Gas) | Unit Rate (Gas) | Exit Fee (per fuel) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Variable Tariff (SVT) | No fixed term | 51.37p | 25.73p per kWh | 29.82p | 6.33p per kWh | £0 | Prices follow Ofgem’s price cap; flexible, no exit fees |
| 1 Year Fixed | 12 months | ~49p | ~25p per kWh | ~30p | ~6p per kWh | £50 | Protects against price rises, fixed rates for a year |
| 2 Year Fixed | 24 months | ~50p | ~25p per kWh | ~31p | ~6p per kWh | £95 | Longer price security, higher exit fees |
| Electric Driver (EV Tariff) | 12 months | 47–50p | 7.9p per kWh (12am–5am) | N/A | N/A | £50 | Special off-peak EV night rate; requires smart meter |
Notes:
- Standing charges and unit rates for fixed deals are illustrative; you can plug in regional/postcode-specific values (as you did for E.ON Next).
- Keep SVT rows precise as they are tied directly to Ofgem’s price cap (accurate from Oct 1).
- This layout mirrors the tables used in other supplier pages so users get a consistent journey.
What Products and Services Does British Gas Offer?
British Gas is more than just an energy supplier. Alongside electricity and gas tariffs, the company offers a wide range of home energy tech and household services:
- Boiler Cover & HomeCare Plans – British Gas is one of the UK’s biggest boiler service providers. Customers can choose cover that includes annual servicing, repairs, and parts replacement. This offers peace of mind if your boiler breaks down during the winter months.
- Boiler Installation – New energy-efficient boilers can be installed with finance options.
- Smart Meter Installation – British Gas installs smart meters free of charge, helping households track energy use in real time and receive accurate bills instead of estimates.
- Solar Panels & Smart Export Guarantee – British Gas supports customers who generate their own renewable electricity. Through the Smart Export Guarantee, households with solar panels can sell excess electricity back to the grid.
- Electric Vehicle Services – In addition to the Electric Driver tariff, British Gas helps customers install home EV chargers to make the most of the off-peak night rate.
- Insurance and Home Services – Beyond energy supply, British Gas also provides plumbing, electrics, and appliance cover, giving households extra support from a trusted service provider.
These additional services show that British Gas is positioned as a full home-energy and household service provider, not just an energy company.
British Gas Tariffs Explained
Standard Variable Tariff (SVT)
- Follows Ofgem’s price cap.
- The costs can go up or down every three months. This happens in January, April, July, and October.
- There are no exit fees, so you can leave or move to a different supplier when you want.
Fixed Rate Tariffs
- You can lock in your unit of energy charges for 12–24 months.
- This helps you have price security and keeps you safe from future price rises.
- You may have to pay exit fees if you want to switch early.
- For many people, this gives them peace of mind and makes it easier to plan their budget in the winter months when they use more gas and electricity.
EV Tariffs (Electric Driver)
- This is made for electric vehicle owners.
- You can get a night rate of only 7.9p for each kWh from midnight to 5am if you have a smart meter.
- It can lower the cost of energy you pay to charge your electric vehicle at home.
Prepayment Tariffs
- Pay as you go means you add money before you use energy.
- This is good for people who want to control how much energy and how much gas they use.
- The standing charges and unit rates are often more than what you pay with direct debit.
Billing, Energy Account & App Features
British Gas lets you take care of your energy account in a few ways.
- Direct Debit: This lets you pay the total bill in equal amounts over the year. It helps you know what to expect each time.
- Online account & British Gas app: You can look at available tariffs, check old bills, see your energy use, and handle your account using your phone or computer.
- Smart meter installation: A smart meter gives you bills that show what you actually use. You also see your energy every half hour.
- Meter readings: If you do not have a smart meter, you can still add meter readings through the app or on the website.
- Final gas bill or electricity bill: The total is worked out for you when you change to a different supplier or go to a new home.
The app gives you access to PeakSave. If you sign up, you get half-price electricity every Sunday between 11am and 4pm. This is a good way to save some cash.
British Gas in the Energy Market
British Gas is hit by changes in the cost of wholesale energy, rules set by the government, and the Ofgem cap. When the cost of wholesale energy goes up, this starts to make energy bills go higher for everyone in the market.
- The energy regulator, called Ofgem, puts a limit on the most you can pay for each unit on SVTs by using the price cap.
- British Gas sets its SVT prices in line with the price cap, so these prices change along with the energy market.
- If you are on a fixed rate tariff, you do not see these ups and downs. But if price cap predictions say costs will go down, there may be a time when SVT customers get the chance to pay less.
This situation means the best choice depends on what you want. If you want stability, go with fixed tariffs. If you want flexibility, choose variable tariffs.
Pros and Cons of Choosing British Gas
Pros
- The company is a long-standing and trusted supplier that has millions of people as customers.
- It has a wide selection of tariffs. You can find options for EV, fixed, variable, and prepayment.
- You can get PeakSave Sunday discounts.
- There are strong online tools and an app to help you manage your account.
- Centrica backs the company, which gives it size and stability.
Cons
- Daily standing charges are higher than what some smaller rivals ask for.
- Fixed tariffs come with exit fees when you leave early.
- People give mixed reviews about how fast customer service responds.
- SVT customers feel the impact of price rises when Ofgem changes the cap.
How British Gas Compares to Other Suppliers
British Gas is often compared to other big UK suppliers.
- EDF Energy: EDF gives you more of its energy from nuclear sources. British Gas leads when it comes to dual fuel tariffs and brings extras like cover for your boiler.
- Octopus Energy: Octopus stands out with its new ideas in tariffs, like Agile and Tracker. A lot of people choose British Gas because they feel safe with the brand and its stable prices.
- OVO Energy: OVO has rewards and boiler care. British Gas takes on a bigger part of the market with its own best dual fuel tariffs for most people.
- E.ON Next: This provider also cares about renewables. Still, British Gas has something different with its PeakSave offer and wider insurance choices.
Most of the time, British Gas prices are near the ofgem price cap. You can sometimes find fixed deals from British Gas that cost less than what other companies offer.
Customer Reviews on British Gas
British Gas reviews show some people feel good about it, and some do not. Many people like the long history of British Gas, and they feel safe working with it since it is one of the UK’s biggest energy companies. A lot of reviews say good things about british gas because of steady fixed deals, simple bills, and saving money through the EV tariff.
Some people say they have to wait a long time on calls. A few also say energy bills can be hard to read.
To see full ratings and read what people say about their time with British Gas, you can go to our British Gas Reviews page.
FAQs About British Gas Energy Prices
It is the standard tariff that connects to Ofgem’s price cap. The rates go up or down every three months. There is no locked contract, and there are no fees to leave.
If you want peace of mind and want to be safe from price rises, a fixed energy tariff can help you. If people say that wholesale energy prices may go down, you might get the best deal by staying on the variable tariff.
Reviews are up and down. Many people say they like the number of available tariffs and feel safe with one of the big UK energy companies. Some, though, think that call wait times are too long. For more details, you can visit our British Gas Reviews page.
Prices stay mostly the same because the energy regulator sets a price cap. But, sometimes British Gas fixed tariffs are cheaper than what other companies offer. The SVT from British Gas matches the official price cap rates.
Tariff information labels made for Ofgem rules show the unit of energy charges and daily standing charges for each region. Our comparison service uses the same checked data, so you get the right costs without looking through supplier PDFs.
The Electric Driver tariff has a night rate of only 7.9p per kWh. This rate runs from midnight to 5am. It can help lower the cost of energy for people with an electric vehicle who charge at home.
Yes. British Gas often talks about its available fixed tariffs. The company also has deals for EV users or bundles that come with boiler cover. These offers can give people more price security and may help them save some money.
Yes. Customers who use prepayment meters can get prepayment tariffs. You can be on the SVT or pick a fixed deal. The rates for this depend on the type of meter you have and the area you live in.
Your total bill comes from how much gas and electricity you use. If you use more energy, you pay more money. A smart meter helps you see your energy use as it happens. This makes it easier to keep your energy bill under control.
Yes. British Gas is part of the Smart Export Guarantee. The company pays customers who send solar power back to the grid. British Gas also puts money into low-carbon and zero-carbon electricity sources. The company supports renewable energy.
You can easily see the available tariffs from British Gas and other companies by typing your postcode in our comparison service. This will show the daily standing charges, unit prices, and costs for your area next to each other. So, you can pick the best dual fuel tariffs for your home.
Existing customers can change between the available tariffs right from their energy account online or with the British Gas app. You may switch from the standard variable tariff to a fixed energy tariff. You can also join a night rate if you have an electric car deal, or move from Direct Debit payments to prepayment tariffs. If you already use a smart meter, any changes you make are often applied at once. This gives you freedom to pick a different supplier or switch to a new tariff in a similar way.
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- E Gas and Electricity Reviews
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- Good Energy Reviews
- OVO Energy Reviews
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- So Energy Reviews
- Scottish Power Reviews
- Tomato Energy Reviews
- Tulo Energy Reviews
- Utilita Energy Reviews
- Utility Warehouse Reviews
- 100Green Reviews
*Average annual cost based on the cheapest tariff available through Free Price Compare compared to the April 2025 price cap: £1,617 vs £1,755, a saving of £231 for typical dual fuel customers. Actual savings will vary depending on household consumption. Based on medium usage as defined by Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values (2,700 kWh electricity and 11,500 kWh gas), paying by direct debit, with paperless billing. Prices averaged across all UK regions and correct as of 1 April 2025. Savings exclude any cashback you may be eligible for.
Page last updated on: 16/09/2025
Page reviewed by: Andrea Troy