Switching energy supplier has traditionally been a way to save money on your bills, by moving to a cheaper deal. Though in recent years, when energy bills were at their peak, there was little to be gained by shopping around. Now that some suppliers are offering more competitive deals, it could be a good time to take a look at your energy provider.
Energy companies offer a range of tariffs and deals for their customers, and by comparing them, you might find you’d be better off switching to a different supplier. Or, you might find that fixing your deal with your current supplier – to avoid upcoming increases to the energy price cap – could be the best option for you.
This guide will explain what’s usually involved in the process of switching energy supplier, and outline some of the things to consider along the way.
How do I switch from one supplier to another?
Switching supplier should be relatively straightforward. Once you’ve selected the energy company that you’d like to switch to, you can contact them either online or over the phone. Don’t worry about letting your current energy provider know, as your new provider should handle this for you.
When you contact your new energy provider, they will likely ask you about when you’d like to switch to the new tariff. Typically, this could be:
- As soon as possible after you’ve agreed the contract (this can take up to five working days).
- Five days after your 14-day cooling-off period has ended (this usually takes up to 21 days in total). During the cooling-off period you can change your mind and cancel with no consequences.
- On another specific date (contact your new supplier to check if this is an option).
You will also need to give your new energy company several pieces of information that should be on your energy bill. This includes:
- Your postcode.
- The name of your current supplier.
- The name of your current tariff.
- The amount of energy you use.
- The amount you pay for your energy per unit (in kilowatt hours).
- How you currently pay your energy bill.
- How you’d like to continue paying your energy bill in the future.
Your new energy supplier should contact you to confirm when they plan to switch your energy supply over to them. It’s a good idea to take a meter reading on the day of the switch – you can then give it to your new supplier and ensure you won’t be charged for energy used before this date.
Can I stay with my existing supplier but switch to a different tariff?
If you’re happy with your existing energy companies and don’t want to change, you might still find better energy deals by changing tariff. Generally, you can check your supplier’s tariffs on their website, or by getting in touch with them.
Even if you’re happy with your existing energy supplier’s service, it’s worth comparing these tariffs with those of other suppliers to check that your provider is offering competitive rates. Our tool can help you find out if there are any suppliers offering a cheaper deal.
If you’re still happy and don’t want to switch supplier, then you can look at comparing your existing suppliers’ tariffs.
Here are some things to think about when choosing what tariff would work best for you. This might be:
- A cheaper energy tariff.
- A tariff that you can leave anytime for no additional cost.
- A tariff that uses renewable energy.
- A tariff that’s beneficial for people who charge an electric vehicle (known as an EV tariff).
- A tariff that’s beneficial for people who use a heat pump.
If you find that your existing supplier offers a more suitable tariff, contact them and let them know which plan you’d like to switch to. This should be easier than switching, as many gas and electricity providers allow existing customers to easily move between tariffs.
Is there a charge for switching energy suppliers?
This usually depends on the terms of your current energy tariff. If you’re not sure what tariff you’re currently on, you can check your online account or most recent energy bill.
Most people will be on one of these two tariffs:
- A standard variable rate tariff
- A fixed rate tariff
If you’re on a standard variable rate tariff, you should be able to change supplier at any time with no exit fees. While these tariffs are usually more expensive, and don’t offer protection against price increases, you won’t be tied into a contract or penalised for switching.
If you’re on a fixed rate tariff, you may have to pay a fee to switch energy supplier. While these tariffs can give you peace of mind by charging a set amount for each unit of energy you use for a certain period, you’ll typically be locked into the deal. If you have 50 days or more left of your contract, you might need to pay an exit fee to leave your contract early and change supplier. The cost of this varies between energy companies, so it’s worth checking with your supplier to find out what that fee might be.
Are there any cases where a customer can’t switch?
There are several situations where you might not be able to change energy supplier:
- If you owe your existing supplier money
If you’ve owed your current supplier money for more than 28 days, or are one month or more behind on your energy payments, then you may not be able to change supplier until you have settled the debt. Citizens Advice provides more helpful information and guidance on this here. - You pay your landlord for energy
If you’re renting and have your energy bills included in your contract, you won’t be able to switch energy supplier or tariff yourself – you will need to ask your landlord. Citizens Advice also offers advice on what to do if you think your landlord is charging you too much for energy. - If you’re on a heat network
Heat networks (also known as district or communal heating) can apply to both blocks of flats and groups of homes. If you’re on a heat network, you won’t be able to switch energy supplier or tariff because energy is typically managed by the companies or housing associations that manage your home. More on this can be found here.
Can I stay with my current energy supplier and still reduce my bills?
In theory, yes. There are lots of tips and changes you could make to help save energy around the home, as well as some common mistakes that could be adding £100s to your annual bill. Plus, there are several other ways which could help you reduce your bills if you choose to stay with your current supplier:
- Pay your bill in a different way: Some energy providers offer more favourable rates to those that pay their bills by direct debit, with some also offering discounts for those paying quarterly instead of monthly.
- Go paperless: Some providers give discounts for online billing. It can also be more convenient for you, with many providers sending texts or emails to notify customers when their bills are ready to view.
- Speak to your energy provider: Asking your gas and/or electricity provider whether anything can be done to reduce your energy bills is another option. They may highlight cheaper energy tariffs, or point you towards any grants or schemes that you could be eligible for.
What if I change my mind and want to cancel switching?
You’ll be entitled to a 14-day cooling off period – during this time, you can cancel the switch without any consequences or fees. This period begins the day after you agree a new contract.
If you decide you want to cancel during this time, let your new supplier know as soon as you can. If the switch hasn’t happened yet, they should be able to stop it.
If you’ve already been switched and you’re still in the cooling off period, your new supplier should explain that you’ll need to do one of these things:
- Agree a new contract with them.
- Sort out a new contract with your old supplier.
- Arrange a new contract with a different supplier.
Typically, you’ll have 15 working days to secure a contract from the moment that you’re notified. If you don’t, then you’ll likely be put on a standard variable tariff with your new supplier – this is known as a ‘deemed contract’.
How long does it take to switch?
It can take up to five working days to switch energy supplier. It shouldn’t take any longer, unless you’ve asked to be switched over at a later date.