Turn on the television and it’s likely that you’ll see more than one advert for a gas and electricity company. In fact, you might see quite a lot. That’s because there’s so many gas companies out there that they’re all jostling for attention – of course they are, the UK’s has one of the most competitive gas and electricity industries in Europe. But why are there so many gas companies in the first place?

Well, as a result of deregulation, the United Kingdom’s energy market is one of the most competitive in all of Europe. The proportion of people who switch energy company in the UK to take advantage of lower prices and various different tariffs is much higher than that of people on the continent. In fact, even when compared to comparable industries like companies that provide financial services, the number of people who change energy provider is much higher.

This is obviously great news for a consumer. It means that you can take your pick between a bunch of companies who all want your business. And because they all want you, they’re going to put up a fight for you – which means cheaper gas prices and the chance to shop around between different companies in order to find exactly the type of service you want. Want a flat unit rate for your gas, or to pay a standing charge with a cheaper unit rate? You’ll be able to find a company to suit your needs. Just want the cheapest gas no matter what? Shop around online and discover precisely which companies offer the lowest rates. Then all you have to do is switch suppliers and enjoy the benefits of lower rates immediately.

The number of gas suppliers currently operating in the UK means you can save on your gas bills and, in most cases, your electricity bills too as plenty of companies offer both of these services. When you buy both services from the same company, they sometimes offer you a discount on the full sum – and even if they don’t, it’s handy to just have to pay one bill rather than two! So whichever of the gas companies you choose to go with, you can be sure that you’ll be able to find cheap rates on your gas and select between a whole host of companies in order to find the one that suits your needs best.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.