British Gas Reveal Record Profits of £3bn

All across the country, people have been struggling to pay their energy bills following a dramatic rise in prices, partly as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, in the 12 months to January 2023, electricity prices in the UK rose by nearly 67%, while gas prices rose by nearly 130%.

No wonder then that when Centrica, the owner of British Gas, announced record profits of more than £3 billion for 2022, the news was received with disbelief and fury in many quarters. 

The news followed on shortly after reports of the company using debt collectors to force pre-payment meters – which use an even higher energy tariff – on vulnerable customers, a practice even Centrica boss Chris O’Shea called “completely unacceptable”.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, criticised the company for “coining it in from our massive energy bills while sending bailiffs to prey on vulnerable consumers”. Meanwhile, Tom Marsland at disability equality charity Scope labelled the profits as “obscene” and talked of “disabled people who haven’t eaten for days, who can’t afford energy to charge wheelchairs and stairlifts, but are still racking up huge energy debts”.

Alternative heating solutions

It’s hardly surprising, given all the above, that a lot of people have been seeking alternative winter fuel choices to help them stay warm this winter. 

One popular way of heating the home in a more cost-effective way has been to concentrate efforts on heating single rooms rather than trying to keep the whole house warm. This in turn has led to increasing interest in wood and log burners and multi-fuel stoves that can take a variety of smokeless fuels.

Here at KG Smith & Son, we supply a great range of smokeless fuel packages that are ideal for these kinds of home heating solutions, including:

Anthracite and smokeless briquettes

now that the sale of traditional house coal is being banned, it’s the perfect time to try these smokeless alternatives that don’t just provide a more environmentally-friendly heating solution, they also burn longer and hotter than house coal, making them even better value too.

Wood briquettes and heat logs

If you’re going to burn firewood, you need to make sure that it has been properly dried or treated so that it won’t release emissions that will break local clean air regulations or even potentially damage your flue or chimney. Heat logs and wood briquettes are an even better choice, because they are made from recycled wood particles, making them perhaps our most eco-friendly option of all

If you’re fed up with paying more than you need to in order to stay warm at home, KG Smith & Son can always offer exceptional value on alternatives to gas and electricity.

Even better, you can soon stock up on your winter fuel for even less than usual by taking advantage of our cheaper summer prices, which run from May 1st. Please give us a call for more information.

With free and fast delivery also always available, there’s no better time to check out the full range of smokeless fuel packages available now from KG Smith & Son.

Get in touch with us now by phone or email to find out more.