British Gas Tariffs 2022: Tariffs, Prices and Rates

By Robert Clarke

Content Editor

British Gas tariffs have a reputation for being expensive. However, since the 2021 energy crisis, British Gas prices are actually better value for money than they used to be. Let’s take a look at the different British Gas tariffs currently available.

💸British Gas Tariffs and Prices

British Gas, like most suppliers, releases different tariffs every few weeks, which makes it difficult to keep track of prices. In the table below, however, we've compiled each UK provider's Which? score for value for money so that you can see how they compare to the rest of the energy market:

*For illustrative purposes only. Figures taken from Which?'s September 2021 survey.

As you can see, British Gas finds itself in the bottom half of providers in terms of value for money according to the most recent survey. It will no doubt look to improve on this score, but it should be noted that it was among the better performers of the old 'Big Six'. However, British Gas reviews can be quite mixed. On Trustpilot, for example, out of more than 76,500 customer reviews, 55% have given British Gas an excellent or great score.

We've put together a guide to all the specific British Gas tariffs that will help you understand what they offer. The following are the British Gas tariffs for domestic customers. If you're looking for British Gas tariffs for business, check out our guide to British Gas Business.

💡British Gas Standard Tariff

If you haven't updated your British Gas tariff within the past year or two, it's likely that you're paying the standard rates, which vary according to the wholesale price of energy and where the Ofgem price cap for standard tariffs sits.

The British Gas standard tariff is generally kept in line with the price. In February 2022, the energy regulator Ofgem announced a 54% increase to the price cap from 1 April 2022. British Gas will let customers know 30 days before it puts its price up. If you want to find out more, you should contact British Gas directly.

Here are new expected prices for British Gas standard tariff from 1 April:

The British Gas standard tariff is generally kept in line with the price cap, which is £1,138 for dual fuel since October 1st 2021. However the price cap is expected to rise again in the spring of 2022. The provider will always give customers 30 days' notice before it puts its prices up.

*Calculations based on a three-bedroom London household with average energy consumption. Tariff last updated: March 2022

📈British Gas Tariff Rises

Here's a brief history of British Gas price increases in recent years. It's worth noting that these increases (and decreases) were always done in line with the Ofgem price cap.

• April 2018: British Gas comes in for criticism from Energy Minister Claire Perry, who said that the UK Government was “disappointed” by the “unjustified” increase of 5.5% in the standard variable tariff.
• October 2018: the provider's standard variable rate increases again, this time by 3.8%.
• April 2019: Another British Gas price increase, this time a whopping 10.5%.
• October 2019: British Gas brings down its standard rate in line with the price cap.
• April 2020: The price cap is lowered again to account for the Coronavirus pandemic, and the provider brings down its standard rate.
• October 2020: Another cut to the price cap, which hit its lowest ever point at £1,042 a year, sees British Gas lower its rate for a third successive time.
• April 2021: The price cap is finally brought up by an average of £96 per year following a upsurge in wholesale prices, and British Gas ups its standard rate.
• October 2021: The price cap is increased to £1,277, and the British Gas standard tariff increases.
• April 2022: the price cap is increased again to £1,971 for direct debit customers and to £2,017 for prepayment customers. The British Gas standard tariff will increase in line with this rise.

📞How Do I Change My British Gas Tariff?

If you're an existing customer on the British Gas standard tariff, it's easy to change your tariff. You can do so either through your online account or by calling British Gas. If you're in a contract with British Gas, you can switch to a different tariff (or supplier) within the last 49 days (or seven weeks) before the contract officially ends and you won't have to pay an exit fee.

British Gas aren't offering all tariffs Due to the ongoing energy crisis, British Gas is not offering all its usual tariffs. This is because of the unprecedented wholesale cost of natural gas making it difficult for suppliers to keep up with costs. For this reason, British Gas is not offering tariffs to prepayment customers and only offering a few fixed tariffs.

🧾British Gas Fixed Tariffs

Most British Gas tariffs are fixed-rate. Whilst it doesn't mean you'll pay the same every month with a fixed rate tariff, what it means is that your unit rate and standing charge will be fixed and not change whilst you are still within the contracted period, which for British Gas tariffs is generally 12-24 months..

Whilst these British Gas tariffs may seem more expensive initially, due to the price cap, you are able to lock-in the savings. When the price cap is lifted or is increased, your energy prices will remain the same which could turn out to be a lot cheaper.

Below are some of the currently available British Gas tariffs that are fixed.

The Green One v16

This British Gas energy tariff uses 100% renewable electricity and the gas is carbon neutral as well. It's the greenest British Gas tariff available, and has no exit fee. See the details for this tariff in the table below:

As mentioned in the table, 100% of the electricity you use on this tariff will be offset with the purchase of electricity from renewable sources to put back into the National Grid. The added bonus of carbon neutral gas means that on top of 100% renewable electricity, British Gas supplies you with green gas.

The Fixed One v16

Like the The Green One v16, this fixed price tariff is currently open to new customers and offers fixed prices on gas and electricity until 10th April 2023. You can find details about the tariff in the table below:

This British Gas energy tariff is similar to The Green One v16, except the gas is not carbon neutral.

HomeEnergy Secure December 2023v2

This fixed price tariff is currently open to new customers and offers fixed prices on gas and electricity until 31 December 2023. And is the cheapest British Gas fixed-rate tariff currently available. You can find details about the tariff in the table below:

As mentioned in the table, 100% of the electricity you use on this tariff will be offset with the purchase of electricity from renewable sources to put back into the National Grid. The gas you use, however, will not be offset.

Green Future Dec 2023v2

Like the HomeEnergy Secure Dec 2023 tariff, this British Gas tariff will offset 100% of the electricity you use on this tariff. It's an award winning energy tariff from British Gas. See details for this tariff in the table below:

As you can see, this tariff offers similar features to the above with the added bonus of carbon offset gas as well as renewable electricity. On top of 100% renewable electricity, British Gas will match 10% of the gas you use with green gas into the National Grid, and will engage in carbon offsetting to balance out the other 90%.

In addition, they will also pay for 5 trees per fuel to be planted in the UK for each year you stay on this British Gas tariff. That's the equivalent of around one ton of CO2 per fuel being offset by the planting of new trees every year.

Complete Protection Dec 2023v2

This fixed-rate tariff guarantees your prices won't change until 31 December 2023. In addition to energy, this tariff also includes Central Heating Breakdown Cover, Plumbing & Drains Cover, Home Electrical Cover, and Home Services Cover for the duration of your contract at no extra cost. Here are the details for this British Gas tariff:

Home Services Cover It's important to remember that after your energy contract ends, the Home Services Cover will renew automatically at an average of £11.50 per month. To avoid being charged, you can cancel the Home Services Cover if you decide you don't want it.

Electric Drivers Feb 2024

This is an exclusive British Gas tariff for customers who have an electric vehicle. You will benefit from cheaper electricity rates between 12am-5am each day and the rates are secured until 29 February 2024. Here are the details for the Electric Drivers Feb 2024 British Gas tariff:

💳British Gas PAYG Tariff

British Gas are not offering prepay tariffs Unfortunately due to the energy crisis, British Gas are not offering any tariffs to prepayment customers. Below are the tariffs that have been available and that existing customers will still be on. It is possible that British Gas will offer prepayment tariffs again after the April price cap comes into effect.

The standard British Gas Pay As You Go tariff, also known as the Protect PAYG tariff, is available to both new and current customers who have prepayment meters. Users with British Gas smart meters are also able to take advantage of this tariff. Here's a full rundown of its features:

Rates on this British Gas tariff are fixed until June 2023, with British Gas prices usually being kept in line with the level of the price cap. A big positive is that this tariff doesn't have exit fees, so you're free to change to a different British Gas tariff or even a different supplier without being penalised if the rates change.

British Gas prepayment customers who don't have a fixed-rate deal will be on the British Gas standard tariff for prepayment meters. This tariff is subject to fluctuation depending on the market prices for gas and electricity. Whilst the rate can go up or down at any time, British Gas will notify you in advance if the price changes. Details of the British Gas standard tariff for pay-as-you-go customers is in the table below:

*Calculations based on a three-bedroom London household with average energy consumption. Tariff last updated: Jan 2022

🏢British Gas Business Tariffs

There are some important differences between domestic and business energy. First of all, businesses do not have the 14-day cooling-off period that domestic customers have during the switch process. This allows domestic customers to change their minds and cancel their energy plan up to two weeks after agreeing to a new contract.

14 Day Cooling-Off Period The 14 day cooling-off period for domestic customers applies to new customers signing up for a British Gas tariff for the first time and existing customers who are renewing their British Gas tariff.

Business energy deals also tend to be for longer periods of time than domestic energy plans. Anywhere between one and four years is standard for British Gas business energy contracts. If you move into business premises where British Gas is the existing supplier, you will automatically be put on what’s called the ‘deemed rate’ (the default rate) tariff unless you contact British Gas to request one of its energy plans.

For more information about British Gas Business tariffs, see our dedicated page.