To find the cheaper gas-and-electricity plan, estimate both fuels’ usage charges, add each daily supply or standing charge, then include eligible fees, credits and discounts over the same period. Use your household’s actual consumption and the rates available for your location and meter; a low advertised unit rate alone does not tell you what the bill will be.
Gather the details that determine your bill
Start with a recent bill or meter records. For each plan, collect the information below and compare the offers over the same dates.
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- Your expected electricity use and gas use, in the units shown on the bill. Annual usage is a useful starting point for a one-year comparison.
- Each fuel’s unit rate and daily standing or supply charge.
- Any time-of-use periods and the usage that falls into each rate band.
- Your postcode or energy region, payment method, meter type and tariff eligibility.
- Contract length, exit fees, payment terms, recurring discounts, one-off credits and what happens when the contract ends.
Rates and eligibility can vary by region, payment method and meter. Use the rates that apply to your home, not a national headline figure. For current local offers, consult the regulator or official comparison service in your jurisdiction.
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Work out electricity and gas separately, then combine them. For a comparison period of D days:
#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
- Electricity: add the kWh used in each rate band multiplied by that band’s unit rate; then add the electricity daily charge multiplied by D.
- Gas: multiply expected gas consumption in the tariff’s stated unit by its unit rate; then add the gas daily charge multiplied by D.
- Total: add both fuel costs and applicable recurring fees, add one-off charges that fall within the comparison, and subtract credits or discounts you qualify for.
Use consistent units and dates. Australia’s government energy guidance describes electricity rates commonly in cents per kWh and gas rates in cents per megajoule; check your bill and tariff before calculating or converting units (Australian Government: understanding energy bills). The energy.org.uk calculator’s annual method adds both fuels’ usage costs and standing charges, uses 365 days for annual standing charges and counts a one-off credit once. It assumes entered rates apply throughout the period and does not forecast future changes to variable rates (energy.org.uk: energy price cap calculator).
Example calculation framework
Suppose a plan has a single electricity rate and a single gas rate. Calculate electricity kWh × electricity rate, then add electricity daily charge × days. Calculate gas consumption in the tariff’s unit × gas rate, then add gas daily charge × days. Repeat for the other plan using the same usage and dates. For a multi-rate plan, replace the single electricity calculation with the sum of each band’s usage multiplied by its own rate. This framework produces a like-for-like estimate; it does not predict changes to a variable tariff.
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
Check whether your usage matches the tariff
Single-rate and time-of-use electricity
A single-rate tariff charges one unit rate throughout the day. A time-of-use tariff charges different rates at different times, often described as peak, shoulder and off-peak. Estimate how much electricity you use in each period and apply the corresponding rate. An inexpensive overnight rate is valuable only if a meaningful share of your use actually falls overnight. Ofgem notes that multi-rate tariffs charge different rates at peak and off-peak times (Ofgem: energy price cap).
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Other tariff shapes and meter requirements
Australian guidance also describes controlled-load tariffs, which apply to particular loads, and demand tariffs, where a charge depends on the highest measured demand during a billing month. Smart meters are typically needed for time-of-use and demand plans. Check the tariff’s eligibility and billing rules before treating its headline rate as available to your household (Australian Government: understanding energy bills).
Rank #3
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
Standing and supply charges
These daily charges apply even when you use no energy, so multiply them by the number of days the supply is connected. They can matter especially to low-use households: a plan with a lower unit rate may still cost more if its daily charge is higher. If you have a gas connection, include its daily charge even if gas consumption is zero; the energy.org.uk calculator applies the gas standing charge whenever a gas supply is connected (energy.org.uk: energy price cap calculator).
Include contract terms and incentives
Calculate the cost for the period you actually care about—such as one year or the full contract—and treat benefits according to their conditions.
Rank #4
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
- Count a one-off credit once, not as an annual recurring saving.
- Include a discount only if you expect to meet its conditions, such as paying on time.
- Include relevant early-termination or other fees if you might incur them within the comparison period.
- Check the contract duration, payment arrangements and what tariff or rate applies at the end.
- For a fixed tariff, compare the agreed rates and standing charges for the contract term; a fixed deal may not benefit if market prices fall, and an exit fee can affect the cost of switching early.
- For a variable tariff, do not assume today’s rates will remain unchanged. A simple estimate using current rates is not a forecast.
In Great Britain, standard variable and fixed tariffs, prepayment, time-of-use and dual-fuel options have different terms. A dual-fuel arrangement may simplify billing, but that alone does not establish that it is cheaper; compare the combined cost and whether the service suits you (Citizens Advice: your energy supply). Australian government guidance likewise recommends checking supply charges, additional fees, bonus or discount conditions, payment arrangements and contract-end terms (Australian Government: understanding energy bills).
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Run the calculation for every offer with the same consumption, dates, location, payment method and meter assumptions. Keep the treatment of credits and conditional discounts consistent. A typical annual figure is not an individual bill prediction: it represents an assumed usage profile, while your actual cost depends on consumption and tariff rates.
Best Value
- ✓ Backlit LCD Display: The watt meter features an upgraded backlit LCD display with a 160° wide viewing angle, providing clear and distinct data readings from any angle, day or night. (Note: To conserve energy, the backlight will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of continuous use.)
- ✓ 9 Types of Data Display: This energy meter plug accurately monitors a wide range of electrical parameters, including power (W), apparent power (VA), energy consumption (kWh), usage time (hours), power frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), voltage (V), current (A), and electricity cost. The user-friendly interface allows you to easily read and navigate through 9 types of data with a single button.
- ✓ Save Money and Energy: By toggling through the 9 display modes, you can gain insights into various operational parameters of your devices. The home energy monitor also calculates and displays the electricity consumption and cost over time, helping you save on your electricity bills by monitoring and managing energy usage.
- ✓ Data Storage: The plug-in electricity meter stores all non-real-time data, ensuring no information is lost in the event of a sudden power outage. If data exceeds the screen’s maximum display range, the screen will flash as a reminder. Pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds will reset the cumulative data to zero.
- ✓ Safe to Use: Rated voltage 125VAC, 60Hz, 15A maximum 1875W resistor and tungsten wire, 1/2HP. Clean and tidy interface, very simple to use.
For context, Ofgem’s price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 is £1,723 per year for an average profile of Direct Debit customers in England, Scotland and Wales. It is a benchmark, not a maximum bill or a prediction for a particular home. For that period, Ofgem lists average Direct Debit rates of 26.32 pence/kWh for electricity plus a 54.83 pence/day electricity standing charge, and 7.97 pence/kWh for gas plus a 29.68 pence/day gas standing charge. These are rounded, geographically averaged figures, not a supplier offer. Ofgem says the October–December figures include 5% VAT on gas; electricity has no VAT from 1 October 2026 through 31 March 2027, so it cautions against direct cost comparisons with prior periods (Ofgem: energy price cap).
For current GB rates, check Ofgem’s region- and payment-method-specific information rather than relying on an average. In Australia, prices and tariff options can differ by state or territory, so use the relevant government comparison service or regulator for your area (Australian Government: understanding energy bills).
Make the decision from the estimated total
Once both totals are calculated, compare the difference with the terms that matter to you: contract length, rate certainty, switching fees, eligibility and the timing of any credit. If a plan’s advantage depends on shifting use to off-peak hours, check whether your household can realistically do that. If environmental claims matter, examine what the supplier means by “green” or “renewable”; Citizens Advice cautions that such a label does not necessarily mean the electricity physically delivered to a home comes from renewable sources (Citizens Advice: your energy supply).
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