With the recent price hikes in the gas market caused by a lack of supply, many businesses are looking into ways to reduce their gas consumption, as well as find more cost-effective business gas tariffs. Reading up on the details of your contract and understanding how your gas supplier calculates your bills can be useful for initiating changes and enjoying long-term reductions on your business energy costs.

One of the best ways to safeguard your business against future changes in gas prices can be to arrange a fixed rate tariff with your energy supplier, which will ensure you pay the same amount for your gas during the specified term of the contract. Consulting with a gas expert could inform you whether a fixed rate tariff is advisable at certain times - as if gas prices are expected to drop, you could be stuck with higher payments than if you'd opted for a variable rate tariff that changes with the market.

As a business gas customer, you will usually be supplied with a detailed breakdown of your gas usage each time you receive a bill, which will reflect the actual consumption of gas in your premises. Taking note of which times of the year the most gas was used could help you to identify areas of improvement when making your work premises more energy efficient. For example, this could mean installing insulation or replacing glass in windows to ensure your office retains more heat during the winter, and needs to rely on gas powered heating systems less.

When searching for a business gas supplier, it's important to compare different tariffs offered by a number of reputable companies before making your decision, and to check whether there are payment options that could reduce your overheads too - such as choosing to pay annually rather than monthly, or setting up a direct debit online rather than over the phone. Price comparison websites can be a useful starting point, allowing you to rate one tariff against another.

Choosing to receive both your gas and electricity from the same company under a dual fuel tariff could also lower your costs, as well as reduce the paperwork and hassle involved in dealing with multiple energy companies. If you're changing to a new gas supplier, the company may also offer a switching service, allowing you to benefit from the experience and skills of dedicated business switching consultants when handing over your gas supply.

Sean Burke 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.