Flirgan Elf

It may come as a surprise when you compare gas prices, but the amount you pay could depend on the type of meter you have installed.

About six million people in the UK have a prepayment meter, which means they have to pay for their electricity and gas upfront. While this can have some advantages (for example, no bills coming in), it often means that you will pay a higher rate for utilities.

Having a prepayment meter means you can easily keep track of the amount of gas you use. This will help you manage your budget more easily. If you have slipped into arrears with your energy supplier, a prepayment meter can help you clear this.

However, if you compare gas prices, you will quickly see that prepayment meters have many disadvantages. The most obvious is the inconvenience. You will often have to make trips to the shop to top up your card or key. And if you don’t get to the shop in time, your gas supply could be turned off until you top up.

Also, the best deals on the energy market are not available to people who pay their gas using a prepayment meter.

If you are on a prepayment meter, it’s a good idea to compare gas prices available using a conventional credit meter, to see if it could save you money.

You can switch to a credit account if you have been debt free for at least three months.

Once you have a standard meter installed, you can compare the various gas suppliers, to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

The quickest and easiest way to do this is to visit a price comparison site. Instead of contacting all the suppliers in your area to compare gas prices, all you will need to do is answer a few simple questions.

With some suppliers you will be able to switch online, through the comparison siteso you could begin saving money immediately.

Whether you decide to stay with a prepayment meter, or switch onto a standard meter, you may be able to save money when you compare gas prices and switch supplier.