How to compare gas suppliers?

Since the opening of the market to competition in 2007 and the official end of regulated gas sales tariffs (TRVG – Tarifs Réglementés de Vente du Gaz) on 30 June 2023, the number of market players and available contracts has significantly increased. As a result, it has become more difficult for consumers to choose the best offer when switching gas suppliers. Which criteria should you rely on? And how can you compare them effectively? Here are our tips to help you choose your new energy supplier with confidence.

Understanding gas offers to compare them properly

First of all, it is essential to understand what is included in the prices displayed by gas suppliers. In other words: what do you actually pay for when you subscribe to a gas offer? As with electricity contracts, your gas offer includes a fixed part and a variable part.

• The fixed part corresponds to the subscription price. It is calculated based on the different costs specific to each supplier (supply, access to networks, etc.).

• The variable part corresponds to your consumption, calculated based on the price per kWh of gas.

On top of this price, several taxes are added:

• The Contribution Tarifaire d’Acheminement (CTA), which helps finance pension rights for employees under the electricity and gas industries pension scheme (IEG).

• The TICGN (Taxe Intérieure sur la Consommation de Gaz Naturel), collected on behalf of customs authorities, representing on average 3% of a gas bill.

• VAT: 5.5% on the fixed part and 20% on the variable part of each offer.

In the gas market, regulated tariffs were abolished on 30 June 2023, so each supplier applies its own pricing. Depending on the offer chosen, the price may be fixed and guaranteed for a set period (from 6 months to 1 year depending on the provider), or variable, indexed to market prices.

Finally, two other factors influence price variation:

• The tariff zone, i.e. the geographical area where the customer lives.

• The estimated consumption range: this is an estimate of the customer’s future consumption based on previous bills (if available) or the gas appliances used. This estimate may vary from one supplier to another, as each may use a different calculation method.

Choosing your gas supplier by comparing service quality

The price of a gas offer includes far more than just the cost of the energy supplied. That is why, beyond the displayed price, it is important to first compare the quality of the service provided. As a consumer, you may need advice to reduce your bill, tools to access your data, explanations, and support to better understand changes in energy costs.

At ENGIE, for example, you benefit from customer service available 7 days a week, including Sundays, by phone, messaging or chatbot. You also gain access to the “Mon Programme pour Agir” scheme, which rewards your efforts to reduce consumption and allows you to support projects committed to the energy transition.

Service quality is also measured by how easy it is to subscribe and manage your contract. At ENGIE, you can subscribe online in just a few clicks. You can also track your daily consumption with the “Ma Conso” online service and the “Mon Alerte” programme. You are notified when your consumption significantly exceeds forecasts, allowing you to adjust and avoid a high adjustment bill.

Comparing gas supplier prices

As mentioned above, the price of a gas offer includes a fixed part and a variable part.

The subscription should be assessed based on service quality, as explained above, and the options available to you. A cheaper subscription is only worthwhile if it offers services equivalent to a more expensive one. In other words, quality should not be sacrificed, as a supplier that listens to your needs can help you reduce consumption and make your investment worthwhile.

The variable part is therefore crucial, as it is where you can act by controlling your consumption. On the current market, there are two types of offers:

• Fixed-price offers: the gas price per kWh is guaranteed for a set period.

• Market-price offers: the price is flexible but is generally indexed to changes in the gas benchmark price. These are also called indexed prices.

Some suppliers offer both options, others only one. While fixed-price offers may seem attractive because they smooth out costs over time, they also have drawbacks. You are protected from price increases, but you do not benefit from price decreases. In addition, once the contract period ends, you may face a significant price increase.

At ENGIE, offers are based on a variable tariff that reflects prices on the French wholesale gas market. Pricing is transparent and based on an indexing formula defined by the French Energy Regulatory Commission Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie (CRE). The price is therefore indexed to the CRE benchmark.

Making your choice based on available options

Finally, each contract may include additional options, free or paid, offered by suppliers. These options can make the difference when you are hesitating between two similar offers.

Being able to monitor your consumption anytime, access your documents online, receive advice, or participate in programmes supporting the energy transition: all these features can be decisive.

At ENGIE, services not included in your subscription are free. Nothing will be charged additionally. When you subscribe, you automatically or upon request gain access to the following services:

• Customer area: manage your contract and options whenever you want

• Ma Conso: track your consumption in real time to identify improvement opportunities and achieve up to 8% gas savings (1)

• Mon Alerte: know when you exceed your consumption forecasts, adjust your usage and avoid unpleasant surprises on your bill

• Online billing and e-documents: receive all your documents (invoices, schedules, contracts, etc.) online or in your customer account

• Mon Programme pour Agir: reduce your consumption, accumulate “KiloActs” and support projects committed to the energy transition

Need a new natural gas supplier?