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Energy Comparison

  • We've temporarily suspended our switching service
  • There are no competitive deals available right now
  • We'll restart the service when market conditions allow
Energy Comparison

A Message About Our Energy Switching Service

We have decided to temporarily suspend our energy switching service because of a lack of competitive deals. This has been caused by an unprecedented spike in wholesale prices, which means suppliers are unable to offer cheap tariffs at the moment via comparison sites such as us. We are hoping money-saving opportunities will start to reappear in the coming weeks and months, at which point we will recommence our switching service.

A Message About Our Energy Switching Service

We have decided to temporarily suspend our energy switching service because of a lack of competitive deals. This has been caused by an unprecedented spike in wholesale prices, which means suppliers are unable to offer cheap tariffs at the moment via comparison sites such as us. We are hoping money-saving opportunities will start to reappear in the coming weeks and months, at which point we will recommence our switching service.

British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas
British Gas

Switching your energy supplier

  • Tell us about your home

    Simple facts and figures about your property and who lives there help us find suitable deals for you

  • Check out the offers

    We'll present you with a range of tariffs from leading suppliers for you to consider

  • Select your tariff

    Simply choose the deal you want and the wheels will be set in motion

  • Get ready to start saving money

    Your switch should be complete within 21 days, with your new supplier handling the process

  By Mark Hooson,  Author
Sep 25, 2021

Your Easy Guide To Energy Comparison

Switching energy supplier isn’t as complicated as it might sound, and it could save your household hundreds of pounds each year. If you haven’t switched in a while, here’s our easy guide to energy comparison.

How do I switch energy supplier?

To help take you through the energy switching process, we’ve outlined five easy steps to follow. Comparing energy deals should only take around 10 minutes, while the whole process of switching to a new tariff should take no longer than 21 days.

1. Gather details about your current energy supply

The first step is to gather some details about your existing set up. If you don’t have a paper bill, search your email, or you may even have the supplier’s app.

At a minimum you’ll need the name of your supplier but it also helps to know:

  • The name of your current energy tariff
     
  • The amount of gas and electricity you use – either in kilowatt hours (kWh), or how much you spend per year in £s

If you are on a fixed rate energy tariff, double check its end date to avoid being stung by penalty fees by leaving early.  

2. Run a quote

Now you’re ready to compare energy tariffs and hunt out the best deal.

As well as details from your energy bill, you’ll also need to enter personal information such as your postcode, the type of building you live in and how many people live with you.

You’ll then be presented with a list of energy tariffs to choose from.

3. Compare energy tariffs

When comparing energy tariffs, as well as the cost of each tariff, consider customer satisfaction ratings for each supplier, and what type of tariff would best suit your household (more on this later).

Keep in mind that you’ll usually be given a discount if you choose to pay for your energy bill by direct debit. You may also save money if you choose to buy your gas and electricity from the same supplier – known as a dual-fuel tariff.

Some energy tariffs also require you to have a smart meter fitted so check carefully. If you don’t already have one, all households in England, Scotland and Wales must be offered a smart meter by mid-2025.

4. Confirm your switch

Once you’ve found a suitable energy tariff, you’re ready to confirm your switch. Do this by clicking on the deal you’ve chosen, and you’ll be taken to a confirmation page where you’ll need to fill in some additional information such as your full address and bank details.

5. Pay your final energy bill 

At this point there’s little else to do. Your new supplier will get in touch with your existing one to arrange a switching date. It will contact you within 14 days with confirmation. 

In fact, your new supplier will take charge of the whole switching process. All you need to do is to take meter readings on the day of the switchover and pass these on to both your old and new suppliers.

Your old supplier will send you a final bill no later than six weeks after the switch. If you had credit in your old energy account, this will be refunded within 14 days of your final bill, while if you owed money, this will be added to your bill total.  

6. What type of energy tariff should I choose?

When comparing energy tariffs, you’ll need to decide whether you’d prefer a fixed rate tariff, where the amount you pay per unit of gas or electricity remains the same for the length of the deal, or a variable rate tariff, where the amount you pay per unit can change during the term of your plan.

Fixed rate tariffs can shield you from price increases for the duration of your plan (usually 12 or 24 months), but you may have to pay a penalty fee (around £30 per fuel) should you need to get out of your deal early.

Variable tariffs are more flexible but can work out to be more expensive than a fixed rate tariff. On the plus side, if wholesale energy prices fall, your energy bill may follow suit.

Many energy suppliers also offer green tariffs whereby the supplier will match some or all of the electricity you use with the amount they buy from renewable energy generators. The definition of ‘green’ can vary though, so if this is what you are basing your decicion on, read the small print.

How long does it take to switch energy supplier?

The market regulator Ofgem’s Supply Licence Conditions, which all energy suppliers must abide by, state that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to complete a supplier transfer within 21 days. This includes a 14-day cooling off period, so don’t worry if you haven’t heard anything within the first couple of weeks.

During the cooling-off period, you will be able to change your mind without paying a penalty, in which case you’ll revert to your original tariff. Most suppliers wait until the cooling-off period is over before they start the switching process.

On the day of the switchover, there will be no disruption to your energy supply as your gas and electricity will use the same pipes and wires – nobody will need to come to your house to arrange the switch. In the unlikely event that a problem occurs, it’s your new supplier’s responsibility to fix the issue as soon as possible.

Can I switch energy supplier if I rent my home?

If you rent your home, providing you pay your energy supplier directly and your name is on the bills, you have the right to switch to a different energy supplier if you wish. That said, it’s worth letting your landlord know of your plans in advance.

If your bills are added to your rent or the landlord pays the supplier directly, you’ll need to approach your landlord to find out if switching is possible.

Learn more from our expert energy guides

Guide to fixed-price energy deals

Find Out More

What is dual fuel energy?

Find Out More

Energy tariffs explained

Find Out More

Economy 7 meters: how do they work?

Find Out More

Is now the right time for a smart meter?

Find Out More

10 good reasons to switch energy supplier

Find Out More

How do I compare energy prices?

Comparing the cost of the gas and electricity that’s supplied to your home couldn’t be simpler. All the information you need, on top of your postcode, will be included on a recent bill, such as:

  • the name of your energy supplier and your plan/tariff
  • how you pay your bills – for example, by cash or cheque when you get your bill, or monthly by direct debit
  • how much energy your household uses each year.
    Don’t worry if you haven’t got a bill to hand. You can still run a comparison without this information using our estimation tools – this will give you an idea of the potential savings on offer.

When you run a comparison you’ll be shown a list of the plans we can help you switch to, and the money you could save by changing provider.

If you want to see all available energy deals, or tailor your results in other ways such as highlighting green or fixed-rate plans, just use the filters to the left of the results table.

How do I switch gas and electric?

Once you’ve identified the tariff you want to switch to, it’s time to set the ball rolling by clicking on the green ‘I want this plan’ button.

We’ll then ask you for some more details about yourself, which we send to your new supplier. We’ll pop you an email confirming that the switch is being processed with details of who to contact with any questions.

You should receive a welcome pack from your new supplier, and then you’ll be given a supply transfer date. When this day comes, you’ll just need to take a meter reading and send it to your new supplier. They’ll pass it to your old supplier, so they can issue you with a final bill or refund if you’re in credit with them. There shouldn’t be any need for you to contact your old supplier.

Crucially, there won’t be any interruption to your supply, no one will need to visit your property and there’s no need to change any wires or pipes. The only exception is if you get smart meters fitted as a condition of switching to a particular tariff – this can take a couple of hours, and will be done at a time convenient to you.

And that’s it! You can then sit back knowing you are on a cheaper deal, and your bill should arrive within a few weeks highlighting the savings you’ve made.

Should I opt for a ‘dual fuel’ deal?

When it comes to energy switching, most people choose to get their gas and electric from just one supplier – known as a ‘dual-fuel’ tariff. Not only is it less hassle dealing with just one company, dual-fuel tariffs are almost always cheaper.

If your gas and electricity is currently supplied from two different energy firms, you will need to give us the name of each one to find out what savings you could make.

But then it’s easy to roll the two fuels together as part of your switch and get a dual-fuel tariff from a single new supplier.

It may be the case that your home only has an electricity supply in which case, of course, that is the only type of energy you will need to switch.

Which is the best energy supplier?

If you are considering price alone, the best energy supplier for you and your home will depend on factors such as:

  • where you live in the UK
  • how much energy you use
  • the type of meter you have – standard, economy 7, pay-as-you-go
  • the most competitive energy deals at the time.

But it’s not always just about cost. There may be other factors you want to consider when looking for the best energy supplier. For example:

  • green or renewable energy credentials
  • cancellation fees and flexibility of contract
  • customer service rating
  • whether the supplier offers paper billing.

The good news is you can filter your search on our comparison service to show the best energy suppliers for some or all of these criteria according to what’s important to you.

Will my gas and electricity be interrupted if I switch?

Your gas or electricity supply will continue to flow as normal when you switch energy supplier and will encounter no interruptions. The new firm will use the same pipes and wires to supply the same physical energy as the previous one did.

Your new energy supplier will also arrange a switch date – and from there on in, you’ll just pay a different company. You may want to set up a new monthly or quarterly direct debit depending on how you prefer to pay for your energy bills.

How much can I save by switching supplier?

Switching to a cheaper energy supplier is the most effective way to save on your energy bills. According to our data, the top 10% of switchers save as much as £497 a year – but savings for many others can still be in the hundreds of pounds.

The biggest savings are found when switching from an expensive standard variable rate or ‘default’ tariff to a fixed-rate energy deal. You’re likely to be on an expensive tariff if you have never switched or if you haven’t switched for two or three years.

These savings will be even greater from April 2021 when regulator Ofgem’s energy price cap (the maximum suppliers are permitted to charge customers on variable rate tariffs) shoots up by £96 for a typical household – to £1,138 per year.

How do I save money on energy bills?

As well as ensuring you’re on the cheapest deal, there are day-to-day habits you can adopt to use less energy around the home, too.

Here are some examples from the Energy Saving Trust of some simple measures you can take – and how much they could save:

  • insulating your loft (£225 a year)
  • turning down the thermostat by one degree (£80 a year)
  • replacing the showerhead with a water-efficient one (£70 a year on gas for a family of four)
  • switching traditional light bulbs to LEDs (£35 a year)
  • turning appliances off standby (£30 a year)
    draft-proofing doors and windows (£20 a year)

Getting a smart meter installed is free of charge and allows you to track the energy you are using in real time from a digital display – it can be a great motivator for you and your household to use less.

Getting energy-efficiency nailed has never been more important with millions of us now spending more time in our homes. A little research and a few improvements could help ease not just your household finances, but your impact on the environment too.

Can I get cheaper electricity at night?

If you have an Economy 7 meter and tariff, you will be charged less for your electricity for a period of seven hours at night (say, between midnight and 7am) and more during the rest of the day.

The idea is that the cheaper energy is used to power-up storage heaters and hot water tanks that can then be used when everybody is up and about. If you can avoid using electricity as much as possible during the day, you should be able to save money.

If you have an Economy 7 meter in your property, select “Yes” to Economy 7 when filling in your current details to ensure you are comparing against the correct deals for your meter type.

FAQS

15 Permanent Ways To Cut Your Energy Bills

Green Energy: What Is It And How Can It Help You?

Guide To Electrical Certificates

What Should You Do If You Smell Gas?

What Is A Standing Charge?

Should I Get A ‘No Standing Charge’ Tariff?

At ES Money, we offer completely independent and objective information on crucial aspects of personal and household finances. However, this information does not constitute financial advice.

ES Money is free to readers but derives revenue from two main sources. One is on-site advertising where companies pay us to place their adverts strategically on the ES Money website. This advertising does not include all products or companies we may or may not mention within articles. It also has no bearing on the products or companies we reference, or how we talk about them.

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For credit cards and loans, our comparison partner is Runpath Regulated Services Limited. For domestic energy, broadband and mobile, it is Comparison Technologies Limited. For business energy, our partner is Love Energy Saving, while our comparison journey for travel insurance is powered by CYTI Limited. More products and other comparison services partners may be added as ES Money expands.

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