Paying by Direct Debit
Join thousands of businesses who pay by Direct Debit. It's a simple, secure way to stay on top of your energy payments and could help you access lower prices.1
Not a business? Go to our British Gas residential website.
In this article
Choose the Direct Debit option that works for your business
Compare your Direct Debit options
Why choose Direct Debit?
Could save you money
Some plans offer lower prices when you pay by Direct Debit. 1Protected payments
Every Direct Debit is backed by the Direct Debit Guarantee.Less time on admin
Payments are collected automatically, helping you stay on top of your business energy bills.
Choose the Direct Debit option that works for your business
We offer two types of Direct Debit.
Variable Direct Debit
With Variable Direct Debit, you pay the amount shown on each bill.
The payment collected reflects the amount shown on your bill, so you're always paying for your billed energy usage.
- Pay the amount shown on each bill
- Payments may increase or decrease
Fixed Direct Debit
With Fixed Direct Debit, we spread your estimated annual energy costs into regular monthly payments.
Your payment is reviewed regularly to keep it in line with your energy costs.
- Regular monthly payment amount
- Based on estimated annual energy costs
- Amounts may be adjusted following a review
How fixed Direct Debits are calculated
Calculation: Your Direct Debit amount is based on recent energy usage plus any outstanding balance, spread over 12 months, for example:
Annual energy usage = £1200
Outstanding balance = £600
Total = £1800
Divided by 12 = monthly payments of £150
Estimation: If we don't have an up-to-date meter reading, we base the amount on an estimate of your energy use
Balance: In summer, if you use less energy, you may be in credit. Winter balances it out.
Review: We regularly review payments to ensure they match your energy usage.
Compare your Direct Debit options
| Variable Direct Debit | Fixed Direct Debit |
|---|---|
| Payment amount based on each bill | Regular monthly payment amount |
| Reflects billed energy usage | Based on estimated annual energy costs |
| Payment amount may vary | Regular monthly payment, reviewed and adjusted if needed |
| Less likely to build up credit or debit balances |
Credit or debit balances may build up over time |
Switch between Direct Debit types
You can switch your Direct Debit type from fixed to variable and vice versa. Simply log in to your online account and select ‘Manage your Direct Debit’.
Setting up a Direct Debit
You can set up a Direct Debit by logging in to your online account.
To set up a Direct Debit, you'll need:
- Your bank account number and sort code
- Preferred payment date - choose between the 1st and 28th of the month.
Benefits of paying by Direct Debit
- Discounts available
- No need to remember to pay your bills
- It's secure, with a Direct Debit Guarantee
When you need consent from more than one person
If your business needs consent from more than one person, you’ll need to complete a Direct Debit mandate form.
First, check your account number on your latest bill and choose the right form.
Account numbers starting with 60 or 67
Download and complete this Direct Debit mandate form and pop it in the post to us.
Account numbers starting with BGB
Download and complete this Direct Debit mandate form and then chat with us online.
Direct Debit Guarantee
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.
If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit, British Gas business will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.
If you request British Gas business to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.
If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by British Gas business, or your bank or building society, you're entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when British Gas business asks you to.
You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
Information
If you set up your contract directly with us, you'll see any Direct Debit discounts as a separate line on your bill. This helps you easily track your savings. If you agreed your contract through a third party broker, the discount is included in the standing charge and unit rate. Customers who move to our variable prices, whose variable prices have changed, those we've price matched, or where another supplier's energy agreement has transferred to us, do not qualify for a Direct Debit discount.
