Rising gas prices: how to pay less?

The start of the September 2021 school year is no exception to the rule: many products see their prices increase and among these, the natural gas including regulated tariffs HT took + 8.7%! A significant increase which is in line with the continuity of recent months (+ 5.3% in August, + 9.96% in July, + 4.4% in June …). However, depending on the contract taken out, this increase differs.

An increase that the Regulation Commission ofenergy (CRE) justifies by the low level of storage in Europe and Asian costs which are soaring …

The essential market offers

For consumers holding a regulated rate contract who wish to reduce their bill, the solution is to take out a so-called “market offer” contract. The prices are set by the different energy suppliers, whether historical or alternative. They fall into two categories:

• Fixed price offers: the cost of gas is determined for a duration between 1 and 4 years. The kWh tariff is not affected by the various increases or decreases in regulated tariffs. However, the price of the subscription (and certain taxes) may be revised upwards.
• Indexed (or scalable) price offers: the cost of natural gas is defined by contract. However, it is indexed to regulated prices. As a result, the price per kWh varies and supports the rises and falls of the market.

Compare offers to save

Before choosing a natural gas supplier (Engie, EDF, ENI, TotalEnergie, ekWateur …), it is essential to compare the various offers. To achieve this, the independent information site of the National Energy Ombudsman offers a online comparator easy to use. It is based on your geographic area and your consumption in kWh (or the amount of the bill). This tool gives the possibility to choose a supplier according to the percentage of biogas. Strong point: the ability to compare market offers with the currently subscribed offer.

However, to compare the offers, do not rely on the amount of the monthly payment which is an estimate of the annual cost. Take into account the price of the kWh and that of the subscription. If you change gas supplier, find out whether there are any additional costs: flat-rate fees, termination fees, etc. and on the conditions for revising prices.

Biogas, an ecological approach

To participate in the energetic transition in operation, you can choose a green gas from the methanization from waste agricultural and household. An approach that saves 2 T / year of CO₂ for each connected household (source Ilek). Commendable, certainly, but all is not green for biogas. In addition to high production costs, “green gas” is still weakly injected into the GRDF network. Finally, if you subscribe to this type of offer, the gas you consume will not be organic. Indeed, once injected into the network, it is impossible to separate it from natural gas.

Example of tariff estimate

For housing located in Ile-de-France (zone 1) whose consumption annual is 18,300 kWh (the prices indicated are inclusive of VAT – source national energy mediator on 01.09.2021).

• 100% natural gas market offers

• Market offers including a share of biogas

• 100% biogas market offers