Check gas costs once a year: Still paying a good price?
A gas contract is quickly concluded—and then often simply continues for years. The monthly installment is debited, and as long as nothing noticeable changes, there is little reason to deal with the contract again.
This is exactly where taking a regular look at fixed costs can pay off.
Just because a gas tariff was attractive when it was concluded does not automatically mean that it still suits current consumption and today’s offers.
There is no need to constantly monitor prices or switch providers with every small change. A simple principle can already help:
Check the gas tariff once a year.
Just a few minutes can show whether the existing contract still fits—or whether another tariff might be cheaper or more suitable.
1. Why the gas tariff should be checked regularly
Gas is one of the regular fixed costs in many households. The installment is paid month after month and is therefore a fixed part of financial planning.
The problem: Many of these ongoing contracts fade from view over time.
Prices on the energy market change, new tariffs are added, and the conditions of an existing contract can also change over time.
That is why it can make sense not to wait for a significant price increase.
Instead, make the gas contract part of an annual financial check.
Switching is not automatically necessary. First, it is only about one question:
Does the current gas tariff still fit?
2. Have the latest gas bill ready
Before comparing different gas tariffs, the latest annual statement should be at hand.
The actual annual consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) is especially important.
With this value, offers can be compared much more realistically than by using living space or general consumption estimates alone.
The current contract should also be reviewed:
- How high is the energy price?
- How high is the base price?
- How long does the contract still run?
- Which notice period applies?
- Is there a price guarantee?
- When would the next possible switch be?
This provides a good starting point for the comparison.
3. Compare total costs—not just the monthly installment
A low installment initially looks attractive. For a meaningful gas comparison, however, it is not the only decisive factor.
The expected total costs over one year are more important.
The gas price generally consists of a consumption-based energy price and a fixed base price. Depending on the tariff, bonuses or other discounts may also play a role.
Therefore, different offers should not be judged solely by which monthly amount looks particularly low.
Pay attention to the following, among other things:
Energy price:
How much is paid per kilowatt-hour consumed?
Base price:
Which fixed costs apply regardless of consumption?
Contract term:
How long is the commitment to the provider?
Notice period:
When is it possible to leave the contract again?
Price guarantee:
Which price components are actually secured, and how long does the guarantee apply?
Bonus conditions:
Is a low annual price possibly only so low because a one-time new customer or switching bonus has been included?
The last point in particular is worth a closer look.
A tariff can appear very attractive in the first year due to a bonus and then become significantly more expensive afterward. If such a tariff is chosen, it should therefore already be noted down to review it again no later than the following year.
4. A gas comparison does not automatically mean switching providers
This is an important point:
Comparing does not mean switching.
The comparison may show that the current tariff still fits well.
Then nothing needs to be changed.
However, there may also be a tariff that is significantly cheaper under comparable conditions.
Only then can a decision be made as to whether switching is actually worthwhile.
That is exactly what this financial tip is about: not constantly chasing every supposed bargain, but regularly and consciously questioning existing fixed costs.
5. Compare gas tariffs
For an initial overview, a gas comparison via VERIVOX can be carried out, for example.
Usually, the main details needed are the postal code and annual consumption. The actual consumption can be found on the latest gas bill.
→ Compare gas tariffs at VERIVOX now
Advertising notice: This link is an affiliate link. If a contract is concluded via this link, a commission may be received. This does not result in any additional costs.
Important: A comparison portal makes it easier to search for tariffs, but it does not replace a personal review of the contract conditions. Therefore, before switching, especially check the price, term, notice period, price guarantee, and possible bonus conditions.
6. Pay particular attention to tariffs with switching or new customer bonuses
A high bonus can make a tariff appear particularly cheap in the first contract year.
That does not necessarily have to be a bad thing.
However, it should be clear why an offer is cheap.
If a one-time bonus is no longer included in the second year, the actual costs may then be significantly higher.
If such a tariff is chosen deliberately, a simple routine can be made from it:
Conclude tariff → note switching date → compare again after about one year.
This makes it less likely that a cheap introductory tariff will unnoticed become a permanently higher burden.
7. Turn it into a fixed annual financial appointment
Gas tariffs do not need to be checked every week or every month.
Instead, a fixed date can be set once a year.
For example:
Open gas bill → check annual consumption → review current contract → compare gas tariffs → make a decision.
The same approach can be applied to other regular household costs.
Today the gas contract is reviewed. At another time, electricity, internet, mobile phone contracts, or insurance policies can follow, for example.
Over time, this creates a regular fixed cost check.
8. Any potential savings should be planned in immediately
Assume the previous gas installment is €150 per month.
After switching providers, the new installment is, for example, €125.
In purely mathematical terms, that initially leaves €25 more per month available.
That is:
€25 × 12 months = €300 per year.
This is only a simplified calculation example. Whether and how much can actually be saved by switching providers depends, among other things, on consumption, the previous contract, place of residence, and the available tariffs.
Another point is decisive:
If regular costs change, financial planning should also be updated accordingly.
This is exactly where HellerIO can be used.
If the monthly gas installment changes, for example, the planned amount can be adjusted, making it visible how the change affects the coming months.
This means a cheaper contract does not simply become a lower installment.
The change becomes part of future financial planning.
Conclusion: Do not forget contracts—review them regularly
A gas contract once concluded does not have to remain the right tariff forever.
That is why it can make sense to review the gas tariff once a year and compare it with current offers.
This is not about forcing a provider switch every year.
The key question is:
Does the current contract still match consumption, requirements, and the available alternatives?
If the answer is yes, the existing contract can consciously continue.
If a better offer is found, it can be checked whether switching is worthwhile.
This way, ongoing costs are not simply paid month after month, but are regularly questioned and consciously included in financial planning.
Plan instead of react.
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