Are dual fuel tariffs cheaper?

If you live in a house with gas and electricity you can either have both fuels managed by one provider in a “dual fuel” tariff or you can switch each fuel independently.

Dual fuel tariffs could help to keep your costs down when you compare gas and electricity prices, so it's definitely worth considering having your electricity and gas with the same supplier.

What does ‘dual fuel’ mean?

Dual fuel means that an energy provider will supply you with both your gas and electricity. Dual fuel tariffs are fairly common – most fixed, online and standard tariffs offer some sort of dual fuel option.

What are the pros and cons of a dual fuel tariff?

Pros:

• Sometimes suppliers will offer cheaper rates to dual fuel customers
• Its generally easier to have both fuels with the same supplier, as you only have one energy account to manage

Cons:

• Sometimes the cheapest electricity rates and cheapest gas rates will be offered by different providers so you can save by doing two single fuel switches.

Is it cheaper to switch both gas and electricity to the same provider?

There’s no simple answer for whether single or dual fuel tariffs are cheaper. Sometimes you get a discount from having both fuels together and sometimes you can save more by splitting them up.

However, savings are normally small, so we recommend choosing a dual fuel tariff to keep the admin down. Either way, always remember to check dual fuel prices when comparing gas and electricity deals.

How do I know if I have a single or dual fuel provider?

If your home is all electric, then you will be on single fuel by default.

If you do have a gas supply, then you will be on single fuel tariffs if you have two separate providers. If you’re not sure, read our guide to find out who supplies your energy.

Is it better to have separate gas and electric suppliers?

No. Occasionally you can save by splitting up your gas and electricity supplies but doing this always means double the admin. It’s better to spend your time avoiding the loyalty penalty by switching every year, and making sure your monthly bills are accurate, than dealing with 2 separate suppliers.

When can dual fuel tariffs be cheaper?

Some providers will offer cheaper rates on their dual fuel plan than their single fuel plans. Occasionally suppliers offer discounts of up to 15% if you have both your gas and electricity with them and pay by direct debit.

Is a single supplier really easier to manage?

Yes. One company to deal with, one point of contact and just one phone call to query bills or give meter readings. You don’t need to spend ages ringing around different suppliers.

After all, it’s the small things that can make life that little bit easier.

If my gas and electricity are with the same supplier will I get a single bill?

Some dual fuel suppliers will still send a separate gas and electricity bill, but most will send a single combined bill each month.

How do I find a new dual fuel deal?

Just run a price comparison and select “gas and electricity” as your fuels. By default, price comparison sites will include dual fuel options.

If you currently have 2 suppliers, you should be able to input their details separately to get an accurate comparison.

I’m already on a dual plan, how else can I save time on energy bills?

Historically, the only way to ensure you got the best energy deals was to compare energy tariffs and regularly change provider – with all the hassle that entails. The alternative was to stick with your existing provider and pay over the odds for your energy.

At Switchcraft, we compare energy deals from lots of different energy suppliers with our automated comparison technology. When we find you a great deal, we switch you over to the new tariff automatically.