We can't believe we're saying this, but... switch to British Gas (even if you're already a BG customer)

Yes, you read that right. We're not often fans of big energy firms, so there was a collective stunned silence at MSE Towers this week when we realised prices have risen so much that the new British Gas tariff is the cheapest fixed deal on the market (after cashback). Not only that, but it also throws in free boiler cover.

And when we say cheapest, that's not cheapest Big 6 fix, or cheapest big name - it's on average cheaper than even small suppliers' fixes. Martin says he can't remember the last time this happened (though that could just be his memory, he's getting on a bit). And a special message...

Now on to the specifics...

• The new British Gas tariff, typical saving £220/year. The new BG Boiler Cover Oct 2019 tariff relaunched on Thu - it was last around about a month ago, but it's a better deal now as other prices have risen since. It's an online dual-fuel only deal (ie, you must get gas & elec) that you pay for by monthly or quarterly direct debit. It's only available via Cheap Energy Club and other comparison sites, not direct.
  
  The rate is fixed until 31 October 2019, so it won't change before then, though obviously the amount you pay can vary with usage. Most also get £60ish basic boiler cover thrown in for 'free'. As for what you'll pay, for someone on typical usage:
  
  - A Big 6 standard tariff averages £1,220/yr
  - The British Gas standard tariff is an avg £1,205/yr
  - This British Gas tariff is an avg £995/yr (incl £25 MSE cashback)
  
  There are currently no cheaper fixes. But your exact savings depend on your location and usage - to find out exactly, and to get the cashback, do a Cheap Energy Club comparison.
  
  Of course, when the fix ends you'll be bumped up to a British Gas standard tariff, so you should look to switch again then.
  
  
• You'll need to get a smart meter if you don't have one. We think it's likely BG is pushing this tariff out to help fulfil its obligations to install smart meters. A smart meter is just an automated meter, which means you needn't give meter readings in future. If you don't already have one, you'll need to agree to get one for gas, one for elec - they're free.
  
  If you already have a non-BG smart meter, it may lose some of its 'smart' features, but you can still get the deal.
  
  It's also worth noting that if you move home, this tariff (though not the boiler cover) can come with you. Renters can get the tariff, but not the boiler cover.
  
  
• What does the boiler cover, er, cover? It's basic cover, so will provide repairs to the boiler and controls, but not the central heating system. A £99 excess per claim applies and cover starts within 21 days of your switch completing. See it as an added extra rather than a core benefit, and some in certain circumstances may not be able to get it - if you can't and want to get your own separate cover, see our Cheap Boiler Cover guide.
  
  If you already have boiler cover with British Gas, you'll just get the tariff. If you've already got cover from another provider, you can choose to get just the BG tariff, but not the boiler cover - try to avoid having two policies at the same time as insurers may make you split any claim.
  
  
• There are cheaper tariffs available... but they're variable. For the last few years we've been used to the cheapest deals being fixed rate. Yet the opposite is true right now - a symptom of rapidly rising prices.
  
  The cheapest deals, as you'll likely see in your comparison results, are variable-rate deals from small providers but this means the price can move any time. These can be a further £75/yr cheaper for someone with typical bills, though some are only available in smaller areas. The risk is that the energy firm pumps prices up - then again they are cheaper now and you're not locked in. If you'd be willing to switch rapidly if prices rise, a variable-rate deal would certainly be a winner in the short term.
  
  
• If you've already switched in the last year, it's unlikely to be a winner. In September the cheapest fix was £867/yr on typical use - this is £995/yr. That shows the rapid rise in prices of cheap switchers' tariffs - fuelled (so to speak) by rising oil prices.
  
  But if your fix is coming to an end, or you haven't switched before, this is a contender. It's also strong for those who are reluctant to switch other than to a big name.
  
  You could wait to see if cheaper prices come in, and the oil price rise has tailed off so that's possible. Yet it's unlikely there'll be any great savings, winter is coming and this is a decent package.  
  
  Alternatively you could go for a cheap two-winter fix to protect yourself from price hikes for longer.
  
  
• Does MSE make money if I switch via Cheap Energy Club? Yes. Like all energy comparison sites, we're paid each time you switch through us. Unlike most others though, we give everyone who switches via us about half (that's what the cashback is).  
  
  You still pay the same as if you went direct to the energy firm (though you can't go direct with this British Gas deal), so it's a win-win. The rest helps cover our costs and hopefully makes us some profit.
  
  
• If you're on prepay or in Northern Ireland this isn't for you, but you can still save. Prepay customers can try our prepay comparison - savings are smaller, typically £100/yr, but it could still be worth it. For bigger savings, see if you can switch to a credit meter. See Cut Prepay Energy Costs.
  
  If you're in Northern Ireland, this deal isn't available to you. Unfortunately Cheap Energy Club, like all UK comparison sites, doesn't currently include Northern Ireland, but you can do a comparison via the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland's tool - for more info, see our Cheap NI Electricity guide.
  
  
• What does switching actually mean? In practical terms switching isn't a biggie. No one visits your home (unless it's to install a smart meter). It's the same gas, same electricity, even same safety - the only changes are price and service. See our Switching FAQs for more help.
  

  
  

Martin's hour-long documentary special:
10 Things Your Kids Need To Know, ITV, 9pm, Tue 23 Oct

ITV followed Martin's return to his childhood home in Cheshire, and he reveals some life lessons he's learned that he hopes will help parents. As he says... 

"We live in one of the world's most competitive consumer economies, yet many children aren't prepared for it, and the playing field isn't level. There's a divide between those in the know and everyone else. I'm aware I'm one of the lucky ones - my professional success is beyond anything I could've ever dreamt of - but the path hasn't always been easy, I've had to manage failure too. There's a lot I wish someone had told me in my teens." Do watch or set the Betamax... more on the show.