How to get cheap dual fuel

What is dual fuel energy?

Dual fuel energy means you get your gas and electricity from the same supplier under one contract. If you use both in your home, it can often be cheaper to double up rather than take out electricity and gas deals with separate providers.

Plus, we know that dealing with energy suppliers is not top of anyone’s wish list, so streamlining the process saves you time and hassle. As such, they’re the more convenient option.

Why should I compare dual fuel energy deals?

It’d be impossible to know every single energy company operating in the UK, even less the nitty gritty of each tariff on offer. While most people are probably familiar with the Big Six energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Npower, SSE and Scottish Power), in truth they’re only a tiny proportion of available suppliers.

Running an energy comparison for dual fuel tariffs means you’ll see available deals from a whole host of providers. The scope of choice means that not only can you handpick a supplier that matches your ethos and offers the quality of service you’re after, you’ll also be party to cheap dual fuel energy tariffs you’d otherwise be unaware of.

Furthermore, you’ll see how much you could save if you switch supplier and bundle up. Plus, it avoids the hassle of looking for separate gas and electricity plans.

How much can I save with a cheap dual fuel deal?

Dual fuel deals are typically more cost effective, so opting for one of these over individual electricity and gas plans will save you money. However, be aware that in certain circumstances this may not be the case, particularly if you use very little of one resource. As an example, a business may use a lot of electricity but very little gas, so may want to consider single fuel plans instead.

Energy prices are famously varied – personalised, even – with where you live playing a particularly big role in what energy costs you’ll face. How much you could save also depends, of course, on what currently pay for your energy. So in short, there’s not a fixed savings sum. That being said, according to UKPower, it’s thought that you could see a reduction as much as 15% if you switch to a dual fuel tariff.

If you opt to pay by direct debit or go paperless with online bills, you can also reduce costs.

Who are the cheapest dual fuel energy suppliers?

As we mentioned, energy deals vary considerably depending on where you live and how much you consume. Consequently, it’s difficult to say who the cheapest dual fuel energy suppliers are because they won’t be the same for everyone.

In order to ascertain the cheapest dual fuel energy deal available where you live, you should therefore run an energy comparison using a tool like ours. Pop in your postcode so we can fine-tune results, then select dual fuel tariffs and let us know your current energy consumption. You’ll now see available tariffs which you can filter by price to find the cheapest.

Just to note, its worth keeping in mind that the cheapest deal by price isn’t necessarily the best value for money. Consider customer service, exit fees and additional incentives too and factor these into your decision.

Should I switch to a dual fuel energy plan?

In recent years, there’s been a rise of single fuel tariffs. As such, the market is much more competitive than it once was, so this is something to consider when deciding whether to take out a dual fuel energy plan.

You can either stick with your current electricity or gas supplier, taking out a dual fuel contract if they offer one, or alternatively switch providers altogether. If you opt for the latter, then just be aware you may face exit fees from both contracts.

You can switch to a dual fuel tariff even if you’re on a prepayment meter, so don’t let this deter you.

How else can I get cheaper energy bills?

Dual fuel tariffs can, for many, be a great way to get cheaper energy bill – but it’s not the only way.

Opting to pay by direct debit tends to be the cheapest payment method, particularly if you sign up for online account management rather than paper bills.

Try to make energy adjustments to your home, too. While sometimes the upfront investment can cost, you’ll save money in the long run. Consider upgrading appliances, installing energy-saving lightbulbs or purchasing draught blockers.

A smart meter is also a worthwhile upgrade. Not only will it frequently send accurate meter readings to your provider, but you can control, for instance, your thermostat remotely. That means if you’re late from work but the heating is on a timer, it doesn’t go to waste.

Finally, we implore you to switch providers if you’re on a Standard Variable Tariff. These are extremely poor value for money and exist because energy companies predict customers can’t be bothered to switch at the end of their contract – so prove them wrong!

If you’re on an SVT, then compare energy deals now to start saving money.