British Gas Lite
Online-only business energy for budget-conscious SMEs
Our independent review of British Gas Lite — the digital-only, lower-cost arm of British Gas designed for small businesses. We cover their fixed tariffs, smart meter requirements, webchat-only support, and help you decide if the trade-offs are worth the savings.
Online-Only SME Supplier • Part of Centrica
Smart Energy Company works with British Gas Lite as a partner supplier. This is an honest review to help UK businesses make informed decisions. We may earn a commission if you switch through us. Last updated: December 2025
What Sets British Gas Lite Apart?
The online-only, budget-focused arm of British Gas Business
Budget Friendly
Lower overheads mean cheaper rates than standard British Gas Business tariffs
100% Online
Everything digital — quotes, sign-up, billing and account management via webchat
Smart Meter Required
Free installation provided — enables accurate billing with no estimated reads
Centrica Backed
Part of British Gas family — financial security of a FTSE 100 energy giant
Want the full picture? Keep reading below, or skip ahead.
About British Gas Lite
British Gas Lite launched in 2018 as a stripped-back, online-only alternative to the full British Gas Business product. It's designed for small and medium-sized businesses who are comfortable managing everything digitally and want lower energy costs in return for a self-service experience.
The "Lite" model cuts costs by removing phone support, paper billing, and dedicated account managers. Instead, you get an online portal, webchat support, and automated processes — all backed by the financial stability of the Centrica group, a FTSE 100 company.
"British Gas Lite is ideal for businesses who are confident managing their energy online and want to keep costs down — but be prepared for limited support if issues arise."
To qualify for British Gas Lite, you'll need a smart meter installed (free installation is included). This enables accurate billing based on actual usage rather than estimates, and allows you to track your consumption through the online portal.
However, the low-cost model has drawbacks. With a 1.2-star Trustpilot rating from over 3,800 reviews, customer complaints typically centre on slow webchat response times, billing errors that are difficult to resolve, and frustration at the lack of phone support for complex issues. If you anticipate needing hands-on help, the full British Gas Business product may be worth the extra cost.
Company Details
Products & Tariffs
British Gas Lite keeps it simple — fixed-price contracts only, with everything managed online. Here's what's on offer.
1 Year Fixed
Short TermLock in your unit rate for 12 months. Ideal if you want budget certainty but prefer not to commit long-term in a volatile market.
- Fixed unit rate for 12 months
- Smart meter required
- Variable Direct Debit payments
2 Year Fixed
Popular ChoiceTwo years of rate certainty with typically better pricing than 1-year terms. A solid middle ground for most SMEs.
- Fixed unit rate for 24 months
- Often better rates than 1-year
- Online account management
3 Year Fixed
Extended TermThree years of locked-in rates. Best for established businesses with stable energy needs who want to avoid renewal admin.
- Fixed unit rate for 36 months
- No renewal hassle for 3 years
- Webchat support included
4 Year Fixed
Maximum SecurityThe longest term available — four years of rate certainty. Typically offers the best per-unit pricing for maximum commitment.
- Fixed unit rate for 48 months
- Often lowest per-unit cost
- Set and forget for 4 years
Online Portal
Included FreeAll Lite customers get access to the online portal. View bills, track usage, submit meter readings, and manage your account 24/7.
- 24/7 account access
- Paperless billing
- Usage tracking dashboard
Smart Meter Required
All British Gas Lite contracts require a smart meter. If you don't have one, British Gas will install one for free as part of your sign-up.
Dual fuel supplier — British Gas Lite offers both electricity and gas on one contract. Direct Debit payment only.
Is British Gas Lite Right for You?
An honest look at who Lite suits best — and when full British Gas Business or another supplier might be better.
Good fit if...
- You're comfortable managing everything online without phone support
- Budget is your priority — you want lower rates and can handle self-service
- You already have (or are happy to get) a smart meter installed
- Your energy needs are straightforward with no complex billing requirements
- You want the security of Centrica backing at a lower cost
- You're a small business with predictable, stable energy usage
Compare alternatives if...
- You anticipate needing hands-on support for billing queries or issues
- You've struggled with webchat-only support in the past
- You can't or don't want a smart meter installed at your premises
- You need flexible purchasing or wholesale market access (1GWh+)
- You want a dedicated account manager and personalised service
- You prefer phone support when things go wrong
Our view: British Gas Lite works well for tech-savvy SMEs with simple needs. If you think you'll need help, the full British Gas Business product is worth the extra cost.
Green Credentials
British Gas Lite supplies the same 90% zero-carbon electricity as British Gas Business — nearly 4x cleaner than UK average
Electricity Supply
90% Zero Carbon90% zero-carbon electricity as standard on all new contracts. Just 53g CO₂/kWh vs UK average of 205g — nearly 4x cleaner than typical supply.
Gas Supply
Natural GasStandard natural gas supply. Not carbon-neutral, but British Gas are investing in green gas and hydrogen projects for the future.
Electricity Sources (2024/25)
| Metric | British Gas Lite |
|---|---|
| Nuclear | 55% |
| Renewables | 35% |
| Natural Gas | 8% |
| Coal | 1% |
| Other fuels | 1% |
| CO₂ emissions | 53g/kWh |
| Zero Carbon % | 90% |
Fuel mix disclosure April 2024 – March 2025
Same fuel mix as British Gas Business — supplied by Centrica
Weekly Energy Market Recaps
Stay on top of weekly market trends
Get a comprehensive 5–7 day breakdown of UK gas and electricity market movements, price trends, and what it means for your renewal strategy. Updated every Friday with forward contract analysis and expert forecasting.
Latest Insights on British Gas Lite
See our latest blogs on British Gas Lite to keep in the know and up to date!
Contact British Gas Business
How to reach their customer service team directly
Phone
Live Chat
Via website
britishgas.co.uk/business
Online Account
Self-service portal
Bills, readings & payments
Our honest take on support
As a Big Six supplier, British Gas has extensive customer service infrastructure but you may experience longer wait times compared to smaller suppliers. Their online account and live chat are often quicker than phone. For urgent issues, their social media team on X (@BritishGasUKB) can be responsive.
What Customers Say
"Impossible to speak to anyone. Webchat is useless — you wait ages, get a bot, then get disconnected. Had a billing error that took 3 months to resolve because I couldn't actually talk to a human. Save yourself the headache."
— Frustrated Business Owner"They require a smart meter but then the meter stopped communicating. Bills went haywire with estimates. Trying to get it fixed via webchat only was a nightmare. Moved to full British Gas Business — worth the extra."
— Karen T, Retail"Complaint process is broken. Webchat agents can't escalate anything. Asked for a manager callback — never happened. Eventually had to go to the Ombudsman. The savings aren't worth the stress when things go wrong."
— Steve M, Contractor"Rates are decent and the online portal works fine for basic stuff. But the moment you have an actual problem, you're stuck. No phone, just endless webchat loops. Fine if nothing goes wrong — but something always does eventually."
— Mike D, Office Manager"Been with Lite for 18 months, no major issues. Pay by Direct Debit, smart meter works, bills are accurate. Never needed to contact them. If you're low-maintenance and tech-savvy, it's fine. Just don't expect help if needed."
— Rachel K, Consultant"Webchat keeps disconnecting mid-conversation. You explain your issue, wait 20 mins for a response, then get cut off. Have to start over every time. Tried 5 times to resolve a simple meter reading query. Absolute joke."
— Andrew P, Café Owner"Switched from proper British Gas Business to save money. Biggest mistake. When I had a problem, there was nobody to call. The few quid I saved wasn't worth the hours wasted on webchat. Switching back ASAP."
— Janet H, Salon"They took the wrong Direct Debit amount — double what they should have. Trying to get a refund via webchat was impossible. Had to go through my bank to get the money back. Still haven't apologised. Avoid."
— Chris B, TradesmanImportant: British Gas Lite's 1.2-star rating reflects widespread frustration with webchat-only support. Most negative reviews cite inability to speak to someone when problems arise. If you value being able to phone for help, consider full British Gas Business or another supplier.
Our Verdict
A budget gamble: cheaper rates, but serious support limitations when things go wrong
British Gas Lite offers lower rates than the full British Gas Business product by stripping out phone support entirely. You get the same Centrica backing and the same 90% zero-carbon electricity — but when you need help, you're limited to webchat only. The 1.2-star Trustpilot rating tells the story: customers who've never had a problem are fine, but those who've needed support describe a frustrating experience of disconnected chats, long waits, and unresolved issues. If you're tech-savvy, have simple needs, and already have a smart meter, Lite can work. But if you anticipate ever needing proper help, the savings may not be worth the stress.
✓ Strengths
- Lower rates than full British Gas Business
- Centrica backing — won't go bust
- Same 90% zero-carbon electricity
- Online portal for bills and readings
- Direct Debit keeps things simple
- Good if you never need support
✗ Limitations
- 1.2★ Trustpilot — worst-rated BG product
- No phone support whatsoever
- Webchat frequently disconnects
- Smart meter mandatory — no exceptions
- Complex issues very hard to resolve
- Complaints process is painful
Best For
Tech-savvy small businesses with simple energy needs, existing smart meters, and high tolerance for self-service. Not recommended if you value being able to speak to someone, have complex billing requirements, or have experienced problems with energy suppliers before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about British Gas Lite
British Gas Lite is a stripped-down, online-only version of British Gas Business. It launched in 2018 and offers lower prices by cutting overheads — but with webchat-only support (no phone). You also need a smart meter. British Gas Business is the full-service option with phone support, dedicated account managers for larger customers, and more flexible contract options. If you value being able to speak to someone, go with British Gas Business. Lite is only suitable if you're comfortable managing everything online.
British Gas Lite's 1.2-star Trustpilot rating largely reflects customer frustration with webchat-only support. When things go wrong — billing errors, smart meter issues, contract queries — customers can't pick up the phone. The webchat service is often slow, disconnects mid-conversation, and agents can't escalate complex issues. Customers who've never had a problem tend to be satisfied, but those who've needed help describe a frustrating experience. The savings may not be worth it if you anticipate ever needing support.
Yes, a smart meter is mandatory for British Gas Lite — there are no exceptions. If you don't have one, British Gas will arrange installation before your supply starts. This is non-negotiable. If you can't or don't want a smart meter installed (e.g. due to building restrictions, signal issues, or landlord permissions), you'll need to choose a different supplier or the full British Gas Business product instead.
No. British Gas Lite is webchat-only — there is no phone support whatsoever. This is how they keep prices lower. If you need help, you must use the webchat on their website during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). Many customers find this frustrating, especially for complex billing issues that are hard to resolve via text chat. If phone support matters to you, choose British Gas Business or another supplier.
Generally yes — British Gas Lite typically offers lower unit rates than full British Gas Business because they've cut support costs. However, the savings vary and aren't always significant. Before choosing Lite purely for price, get quotes for both and compare. Factor in the value of phone support: if a billing issue costs you hours of webchat frustration, any savings can quickly disappear. Use a broker like Smart Energy to compare both options side by side.
Yes. British Gas Lite is owned and operated by British Gas, which is part of Centrica plc. You get the same Centrica backing and financial stability — they won't go bust. You also get the same 90% zero-carbon electricity fuel mix. The only differences are the service model (online-only, webchat-only) and the smart meter requirement. If Lite went away, you'd likely be migrated to British Gas Business.
Request a quote through Smart Energy and we'll compare British Gas Lite's rates against 28+ other suppliers — including full British Gas Business — for your specific usage. We'll give you an honest comparison so you can decide if Lite's savings are worth the service trade-off. If you proceed, we handle the switching process. There's no charge for our service; we're paid by the supplier.
Compare British Gas Lite & 28+ Suppliers
See how Lite's budget rates compare against full British Gas Business and other suppliers. We'll help you decide if the savings are worth the trade-offs.
Why get quotes through us?
Lite vs Business Comparison
We'll show you exactly how much you'd save with Lite — and whether the service trade-off is worth it.
Honest Advice on Support
We'll be upfront about Lite's webchat-only limitations — and suggest alternatives if needed.
Your Dedicated Account Manager
Unlike Lite's webchat, you can always call us. We're your backup when you need real help.
Centrica Stability
Despite the poor reviews, Lite is backed by Centrica — your supply won't go bust.
11+ years helping UK businesses. See our reviews →
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