Switch your Gran! Help older friends & relatives save £100s on energy

In this guide

• Step 1: A comparison for your gran
• Step 2: Check if it's an online tariff
• Step 3: Set up a direct debit

Please note: We're assuming that if you're reading this you're online and want to help your gran offline - so throughout we use 'them' instead of 'you'.

Step 1. Do a comparison with your gran

Use a comparison site (preferably with them there) to check their cheapest tariff. There's no single cheapest provider; it depends on where they live and how much energy they use, so it's vital to do a comparison.

For the most accurate comparison you should have their bills in front of you so you've got exact usage figures. But it can be done without, based on estimates of house size.

It's also possible to call comparison sites - we've included the numbers below - but it can mean you miss out on some offers. To get the cheapest deals, you'll still need to be online.

Switch and get added cashback

• Overall top comparison service: £15 cashback per switch

  Our top pick, based on historical reliability, feedback and research, is Energyhelpline*, which pays £15 cashback (once) per switch, whether separate gas & electricity or dual fuel.

  Call: 0800 074 0745 (mention 'MSE' to get cashback). Cashback: Sent by BACS or post, so no web access needed.

• Alternative top picks for freebies: £30 cash, £40 wine

  For a dual fuel switch, which means getting gas and electricity from the same provider, you can get bigger freebies (one per household). Don't assume dual fuel is always cheapest. Check whether getting separate gas & electricity can undercut it, as it often can.

  £30 cashback: MoneySupermarket*
  Call: 0800 177 7861 (mention 'MSE' to get cashback). Cashback: Sent by post, so no web access needed
  Crate of wine (worth c.£40): uSwitch*
  Call: 0800 404 7895 (no wine if switching by phone).

Once you've found the cheapest supplier either switch online for them or see below for cheap tariffs you can get over the phone. All of the above give the same cashback for prepaid meter users switching too.

They'll get cashback two or three months after the new supplier is connected

Step 2: Check if it's an online tariff

Some of the cheapest tariffs are ‘online tariffs’. Despite the name, in actual fact you can often access them offline. Check when you do the comparison if you can get bills posted and give meter readings over the phone.

If it is an online tariff most suppliers require an email address to set up an account. If your ‘gran’ doesn’t have one, sign her up to a free Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo account.

They can either access bills themselves with your help, or you can monitor and print it out for them. You may need to do this for every quarterly bill (four per year) so if they absolutely can't go online do consider this commitment (and see step 4 for alternatives).

Step 3: Set up a direct debit

A monthly direct debit is usually 10% cheaper than any other way of paying.

Therefore, it's generally the right MoneySaving option (see the Gas & Electricity guide), so get them to set up the account to pay this way if possible.

You'll also need to provide regular meter readings to help ensure your direct debit is accurate. Virtually all suppliers allow you to do this over the phone.