What is a dual fuel tariff?
A dual fuel energy tariff provides you with gas and electricity supply from a single energy provider. These tariffs offer the convenience of only dealing with one bill and you have a single point of contact for queries and if a problem arises. Discounts are often offered, but it isn't always the cheapest way to buy your energy.
Who do these tariffs suit?
Whether dual fuel tariffs are right for you depends on your energy needs, and priorities. But it's always worth spending some time checking you're on the best tariff - particularly given wholesale gas prices are creeping up, which will be reflected in household bills.
Pretty much all fixed, online and standard tariffs offer a dual fuel option.
If your priority is streamlining your bills and making them easy to manage, dual fuel tariffs may appeal. As you only need to deal with one supplier, it makes it simple to submit regular gas and electricity meter readings, without having to contact different suppliers.
What kind of discounts do dual fuel deals offer?
Discounts vary between suppliers. But it's common for the offer of, say, a 15% discount to be made if you choose to take gas and electricity from the same supplier, and pay by direct debit.
The discount slashes the cost of taking gas and electricity separately from that supplier. But that doesn't mean there won't be cheaper single fuel deals elsewhere.
Discounts can also be obtained if you opt for paperless bills and online account management.
If you haven't compared energy costs for a while, it's worth doing so with a wide range of deals and discounts to pick from. There are a growing number of smaller suppliers on the market offering competitive tariffs, including dual fuel deals.
Any cons?
The total bill may prove more costly than taking you gas and electricity supply separately.
Before signing up, do a quick comparison for gas and electricity deals from different suppliers to see if you could slash your payments further. There might be a cheaper combination that you were unaware of.
If you're already signed up to a dual fuel deal, remember you can switch in the future, but keep an eye out for exit fees which can be in the region of £25 - £30 per fuel if you switch before the end of your contract.
How do I find the cheapest dual fuel tariff?
Run a quote to find out if a dual fuel is definitely the cheapest option for you. This will list all the options available to you. Once you've found a deal that suits your usage, confirm the tariff you want to switch to from the results table. You will then have to enter a few details, such as your direct debit and contact information.
Your new supplier will contact your current gas and electricity providers on your behalf. The process should take 21 days, and you will never be without gas or electricity during the switching period. You can also call our customer helpline on 0800 177 7087 for help when switching.
MoneySuperMarket negotiates different market-leading deals on a regular basis through our monthly 'Energy Bill Buster'. You can receive alerts on the energy deals which could save money off your energy bills by signing up on our registration page.
Are these tariffs available to everyone?
No. If your home only uses electricity, or your energy is provided by electricity and oil, you won't be able to sign up for a dual fuel tariff.
In this case, search for the cheapest option for your energy needs. To bring down the cost, choose paperless billing and paying by direct debit.
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Can I compare energy prices if I am on a prepayment meter?
If you use a prepayment meter, you can still compare energy prices and potentially switch to another cheaper prepayment deal.
If you are on a prepayment meter, you could switch to a fixed-rate deal and save.
You can compare your current prepayment tariff to alternative tariff options using our energy comparison tool.
