Calculate your energy bills with the UK's largest energy supplier. Free electricity and gas cost estimator for 2026.
Estimate your energy costs using current British Gas price cap rates (January - March 2026):
These are the price cap rates for British Gas standard variable tariff customers:
| Payment Method | Electricity Unit Rate | Electricity Standing Charge | Gas Unit Rate | Gas Standing Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Debit | 27.693p per kWh | 54.748p per day | 5.933p per kWh | 35.091p per day |
| Pay on Receipt | 29.227p per kWh | 62.970p per day | 6.248p per kWh | 42.909p per day |
| Prepayment | 26.840p per kWh | 54.744p per day | 5.722p per kWh | 35.086p per day |
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Typical Annual Costs (Direct Debit):
Price: Protected by Ofgem price cap
Best For: Flexibility and no exit fees
Price: Around 26.5p/kWh electric, 6.8p/kWh gas
Best For: Budget certainty
Price: Around 26.8p/kWh electric, 6.8p/kWh gas
Best For: Maximum stability
British Gas is the UK's oldest and largest energy supplier, serving over 7 million customers across England, Scotland, and Wales. Founded in 1812, British Gas has over 200 years of experience providing reliable energy to British households and businesses.
British Gas is owned by Centrica, a FTSE 100 energy services company. Centrica also owns Bord Gáis Energy in Ireland and Direct Energy in North America, making it one of the world's leading integrated energy companies.
Direct Debit customers pay the lowest rates. Save around £100-150 per year compared to standard credit payment methods.
Fixed tariffs currently offer similar or better prices than the variable tariff, with protection from future price rises.
Free smart meters from British Gas help you monitor usage in real-time. Average savings of £47 per year for smart meter users.
Avoid estimated bills by submitting monthly meter readings through the MyAccount app or online portal.
Eligible customers can get £150 off winter energy bills. Check if you qualify based on benefits or Pension Credit.
Reducing your thermostat from 21°C to 20°C can save around £145 per year on heating costs.
British Gas HomeCare or annual servicing keeps boilers running efficiently, reducing gas consumption by up to 10%.
Check comparison sites quarterly to see if better deals are available from British Gas or other suppliers.
From April 1st, 2026, British Gas will reduce all customer bills by £130-£150 per year. This follows the government's decision to remove legacy environmental levies from electricity bills.
You don't need to do anything - the savings will be applied automatically to all customers, including those on fixed tariffs. Expected reductions:
Electricity: 3.5p/kWh reduction (approximately 13% decrease)
Gas: 0.35p/kWh reduction (approximately 6% decrease)
British Gas CEO confirmed: "We will ensure all our customers benefit, including those on fixed contracts."
This calculator uses official Ofgem price cap rates that apply to British Gas standard variable tariffs for January-March 2026. Estimates are accurate within 1-3% for typical customers. Actual bills may vary slightly based on your regional Distribution Network Operator (DNO) charges.
For fixed tariffs, rates may differ - check your tariff details in your MyAccount portal or on your latest bill.
Currently (January 2026), British Gas fixed tariffs are priced similarly to the variable tariff, around £1,700-£1,850 per year. Consider fixing if:
British Gas offers no exit fees on their fixed tariffs, so you can switch if a better deal becomes available.
Yes, you can switch to any energy supplier at any time. British Gas variable tariffs have no exit fees, and their fixed tariffs also currently have no exit fees. Use comparison websites like Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket, or Compare the Market to find the best deals.
However, British Gas is competitive with other suppliers, and all suppliers follow the same price cap for variable tariffs.
British Gas HomeCare is a boiler and home emergency cover service. Plans include:
HomeCare is optional and separate from your energy supply. You can have HomeCare even if you're not a British Gas energy customer.
British Gas offers free smart meter installation to all customers. Book online through your MyAccount portal or call their smart meter team. The installation typically takes 2-3 hours and includes:
Smart meters send automatic readings, so you never get estimated bills again.
British Gas has historically had lower customer satisfaction scores, mainly due to:
However, British Gas has been investing heavily in improving service, including better app functionality, more customer service staff, and simplified tariffs. Recent Citizens Advice rankings show improvement.
Yes, British Gas has confirmed that all customers will receive the £130-£150 savings from April 1st, 2026, automatically. This includes:
You don't need to do anything - the reduction will be applied to your rates automatically.
Unit Rate (p/kWh): The cost per kilowatt-hour of energy you use. You only pay this for actual consumption. Currently 27.69p for electricity and 5.93p for gas.
Standing Charge (pence per day): A fixed daily charge that covers supply costs, meter maintenance, and network infrastructure. You pay this every day regardless of usage. Currently 54.75p/day for electricity and 35.09p/day for gas.
Total bill = (Usage × Unit Rate) + (Days × Standing Charge) + 5% VAT