No one wants to pay over the odds for their gas and electricity. So check our energy best buy table for the cheapest energy supplier.
Energy users are split into low, medium and high. Energy regulator Ofgem defines a medium user as using 16,500 units of gas and 3,300 units of electricity a year. Read how to work out your energy usage.
Energy best buys
Gas and electricity tariffs are either variable - where prices change in line with the cost of energy - or fixed - where prices are guaranteed for a set period of time.
Here are the cheapest variable and fixed dual fuel tariffs (where your gas and electricity is supplied by the same firm), for a medium energy user, paying by direct debit, as at 20 May, 2013.
Gas and electricity best buy table
|
Supplier
|
Tariff
|
Average UK bill
|
Spark Energy
|
Spark Advance - Paperless billing |
£1,041 |
Flow Energy
|
Thames Fixed Online Sept 2014 - Paperless billing |
£1,129 |
SSE
|
Discount Energy Bonus Oct 2014 - Paperless billing |
£1,146 |
Sainsbury's Energy
|
Online July 2014 - Paperless billing |
£1,157 |
SSE
|
Discount Energy Bonus Oct 2014 |
£1,158 |
Scottish Power
|
Online Energy Saver 22 - Paperless billing |
£1,180 |
nPower
|
Online Price Fix August 2014 - Paperless billing |
£1,184 |
nPower
|
Energy Online August 2014 - Paperless billing |
£1,184 |
EDF
|
Blue+ Price Promise Feb 2015 - Paperless billing |
£1,192 |
First Utility
|
iSave v15 - Paperless billing |
£1,199 |
Electricity-only best buy table
Do you live in an electricity-only home? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
Here are the cheapest variable and fixed electricity-only tariffs for a medium energy user, paying by direct debit, as at 20 May, 2013.
Electricity-only best buy table
|
Supplier
|
Tariff
|
Average UK bill
|
iSupply Energy
|
iFix 201406 - Paperless billing |
£455 |
Flow Energy
|
Thames Fixed Online Sept 2014 - Paperless billing |
£459 |
British Gas
|
Online Variable May 2014 - Paperless billing |
£464 |
EDF
|
Blue+ Price Promise Feb 2015 - Paperless billing |
£474 |
LoCO2 Energy
|
Pocket |
£477 |
nPower
|
Energy Online August 2014 - Paperless billing |
£479 |
LoCO2 Energy
|
Pocket Fixed 7 |
£481 |
First Utility
|
iSave Fixed Price v8 September 2014 - Paperless billing |
£483 |
British Gas
|
Clear & Simple |
£483 |
Sainsbury's Energy
|
Clear & Simple |
£483 |
Best buy table explained
While best buy tables are good as a guide, it's important to remember that energy prices will vary based on where you live and how much gas and electricity you're consuming.
Small energy suppliers
We're all familiar with the big six gas and electricity suppliers - SSE, npower, British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF and E.ON.
However, there are a number of smaller suppliers in the UK, as you can see by some of the less familiar names in the the best buy table above.
But don't let the unfamiliar names put you off getting a good deal: these firms supply the same gas and electricity as the 'big six', and all adhere to industry rules such as answering to energy regulator Ofgem.
Kate Rose, head of energy at Confused.com, says: "It pays to look for the best deal, not just the name, when it comes to trying to get the best deal on gas and electricity.
Click the link to find out more about small gas and electricity suppliers.
Switch & save!
Confused.com's energy switching service is powered by energylinx, a Consumer Focus accredited calculator.
Consumer Focus accredited calculators search the whole of the UK energy market so you can be assured that you will be able to find the best deal for you.
If you'd rather talk to someone on the phone about switching your gas and electricity supply then call our freephone service on 0800 310 2403.
Lines are open between 9am and 8pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm on Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.
