Standing charge increase as gas unit cost falls
A shake-up in billing is on the way for Manx Gas central heating customers.
From January 2016, the company will increase its standing charge to cover more of its operating costs.
At present, only a small proportion of those costs are met by the daily charge - with the balance paid for in the gas tariff.
Customers will be placed in one of seven standing charge bands based on their annual consumption of gas - while the unit price of gas will come down.
The change is expected to leave most people paying around the same as now, although heavier users within each band will see a small increase in their bills.
Manx Gas says the new system means it will collect almost 60 per cent of its fixed costs through the standing charge, while bills will more clearly reflect the volume of gas consumed.
Managing director Tony Nicholls says the change is revenue-neutral and has been approved by the Office of Fair Trading.
He says it will be fairer all round:
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