How to switch your energy

Compare deals, understand your rights and save on your energy

Traditionally, switching your energy deal was the best way to cut bills, but with the recent energy crisis, savings aren't anywhere near what they used to be. Yet deals are returning, and for some, it could now be worth considering switching.

Energy switching is back

In the wake of the recent energy crisis, which saw more than 20 firms go bust and switchers' deals disappear, over 80% of households are now on standard tariffs, with prices dictated by the Energy Price Cap.

Yet the energy price crises is far from over. The Energy Price Cap is currently predicted to rise substantially again this winter – by 10% – and then stay around that level in January, when the next quarterly change takes place. 

However, competition is slowly returning, with fixes and other energy deals available to those willing to switch. There are fixed deals right now are priced at around the current Price Cap level. So while it's unlikely you'll be able to save much by switching, many could likely forestall upcoming hikes to Cap. 

You can use our Cheap Energy Club tool to get a bespoke comparison. Or you can see our 'Should you fix guide?' for full help on deciding if switching is right for you. 

Switching’s easy – it should take less than five working days

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Switching's easy, the only thing that changes is customer service and who bills you. It's the same gas, same electricity and same safety. Your supply always stays on and no one visits your home unless you want or need smart meters.

And following changes to switching rules in 2022, you can now switch in just five working days (or pick a future date for your switch to happen). During the process, you can choose: 

  • To switch as soon as possible. Here, you should be switched within five working days (you still have your 14 day cooling-off period).

  • To switch on a future date. Typically this would be five working days after the cooling-off period has ended (so about 21 days from when you apply), though some suppliers let you pick a date in future, generally up to around four weeks in the future. 

How to switch your energy tariff

Step 1: Use a comparison website to compare and find the best deal

To get a bespoke comparison of the top energy deals available to you, use a comparison website, such as our Cheap Energy Club, which looks at predicted future prices to help you work out if it's worth switching or not.

You'll need to plug in your address, your current energy supplier and tariff, and how much energy you use in a year (you can grab a recent bill to check this). If you don't know your actual energy use, most comparison sites can estimate for you.

Remember, the Price Cap changes every three months, so your prediction will change too. You can check the latest published predictions in our What is the Price Cap? guide.

Step 2: Choose your new tariff and decide when you want to switch

When comparing tariffs, consider which tariff is right for you, and remember to factor in things like exit fees and tariff length.

Step 3: Switch!

You can do this via comparison sites or directly with the supplier, either online or over the phone. Your new supplier will handle the whole process, so there's no need to contact your old supplier.

Do remember to take a meter reading on the day your switch completes (your new supplier will let you know when this is). This will be used to work out your final bill with your old supplier.

  • Some providers will credit check you when switching

    Some firms do a credit check when you apply to switch, as if you pay by Direct Debit, bills are estimated – if they under-assess you, you could owe them money, so they want to know you're good for it. There are two types of credit check...

    • Soft search. This is the best type, as you can see it on your file, but lenders can't so it DOESN'T have any impact on your ability to get future credit products (like mortgages).

    • Hard search. This DOES leave a mark on credit files lenders can see and can have a minor negative impact on future credit applications. This isn't a big deal usually, but if you're planning to apply for a mortgage within the next couple of months you may want to avoid unnecessary credit checks. 

    If you don't pass the credit check, suppliers may ask you to pay a security deposit or suggest a prepayment meter in order to take on your supply. You can stop the switch if this happens though.

    Energy supplier credit checks
    SUPPLIER CREDIT CHECK
    British Gas Hard check
    E.on Next Hard check
    EDF No check
    Octopus Energy Hard check
    Ovo Energy Hard check
    Scottish Power Hard check
    Utilita Hard check
    Utility Warehouse Hard check (1)
    Last updated: August 2024. (1) This is usually for customers who only take energy with the company, rather than a multi-service bundle.
  • Does switching supplier affect my credit rating?

    Each application can have a minor effect on a future credit score. It's usually not an issue unless you're applying for lots of credit cards and loans around the same time.

    If you're worried about your credit score, our Credit Scores guide has tips on how to boost it, or you can sign up to our Credit Club for free credit scores and assessments.

  • Owe your supplier money? You might still be able to switch

    You can switch to a new supplier even if you owe money to your old supplier, as long as you've been in debt to them for less than 28 days. Your old supplier will add any money you owe to your final bill.

    If you've owed your supplier for more than 28 days, you'll need to repay the debt before you can switch to a new supplier or tariff.

    If you prepay for your energy, you can still switch suppliers if you have a debt on your prepayment meter, unless you owe your supplier more than £500 for gas and/or £500 for electricity.

There are 'smarter' alternative tariffs that aren't always on comparison sites

There are a several options that are difficult to fully display and compare on traditional comparison sites, but they may work out cheaper for some households. For most of these tariffs, you'll need to have a working smart meter.

EDF and E.on Next have tracker tariffs – basically discounted Price Cap deals

Both EDF and E.on Next have variable tariffs which track 3% below the Price Cap for 12 months (so when the Cap rises, so will these tariffs) – but they work slightly differently to each other: 

  • E.on Next Pledge. Here, it's the unit rates that are discounted, so this tends to be better if you're a higher user (as usage would make up a higher proportion of your bill over the standing charges). See our E.on Next Pledge analysis for full info.
     
  • EDF EnsureWith this tariff, the standing charges are discounted, so it tends to be better for lower users (where the standing charges are a larger proportion of your annual bill). See our EDF Ensure analysis. 

Octopus Tracker and Agile can be substantially cheaper

Existing Octopus customers can get its Tracker tariff, where rates change daily based on wholesale costs, so when they're low, as they are now, it's cheap. It's been around 31% cheaper than the Price Cap on average over the last year, but of course, there's a risk it can go the other way. If wholesale rates rise, it could become substantially more expensive.

Also, its electricity-only Agile tariff's rates change half-hourly, based on wholesale prices – good for those who can shift their usage nimbly to take advantage of super-cheap times. 

If you're not an existing Octopus customer you could try first switching to Octopus's Price Cap tariff then, once in, switching to one of these (if still available).

Got an EV? Consider a dedicated tariff

Several suppliers have launched specific two-rate tariffs that offer cheaper electricity overnight for charging your electric vehicle (EV). If your car charge costs make up a decent proportion of your electricity usage (or you can shift other usage to these hours), these can work well. See what's available in our EV tariffs guide.

There are specialist tariffs if you have solar panels or a heat pump

With more and more homes adding heat pumps and solar panels, energy suppliers are starting to launch new tariffs specifically designed for those households.

Heat pump tariffs tend to be time of use tariffs, where you get discounted electricity to power your heat pump at certain times of the day. 

Solar panel tariffs are more about making money from exporting your excess electricity, rather than saving money on energy use. Most suppliers offer export tariffs, which pay you for electricity you don't use and transfer back to the grid. You can get one of these export tariffs alongside your energy supply tariff, and it doesn't have to be the same provider for both.

You have a 14 day cooling-off period if you change your mind

If you do switch, regardless of what tariff you go for, you have a 14 day cooling-off period, which starts from the date you submit your switch. So if you change your mind, you can just go back to your original supplier, and you won't have to pay any exit fees.

How it works depends on how far along in the switching process you are: 

  • If you haven’t been switched to the new supplier yet. Contact the new supplier to cancel the switch under the cooling-off period rules and It should stop the switch process and you’ll simply stay with your current supplier.

  • If you've already been switched to the new supplier. Contact the new supplier to cancel – you should then be given the option to switch back to your original provider on the same (or similar terms) as your were on before you applied to switch.

    You can also sign up to a different deal from the new supplier, or to any other supplier on the market, if you prefer. 

    If you do nothing, after 15 working days you'll be moved onto the new supplier's standard variable tariff. 

Renting? On electricity-only? Prepay for your energy? You can still switch

The vast majority households can switch their energy – whether you rent your home, only have electricity or you have a prepay meter. The only reason you might not be able to is if you don't pay for your energy directly (for example, if you pay a landlord who then pays the energy company or you're on a heat network).

Some homes with legacy 'complex metering arrangements' might also struggle to switch (such as Economy 9, Heatwise or Warmwise). These are older set-ups where you tend to have two different electricity meters, making it harder to switch away from the provider that originally installed it. 

Renting? You have the right to switch energy if you pay the provider directly

If you rent your home you're free to switch providing you pay the energy supplier directly (rather than paying your landlord – in this case, you’ll have to ask your landlord to do switch).

You don't need to own the property to switch, and you don't need to ask your landlord's permission (though it's worth checking your tenancy agreement just in case it's a breach). Don't just stick with the previous tenant's gas or electricity firm, it's always worth checking if there's a better deal. And always do a meter reading as soon as you move in.

Even if your tenancy agreement bans switching, Ofgem's guidance states if you pay the energy bill directly, you're still entitled to change supplier at any time, so challenge it. Preventing a tenant from changing energy supplier may be viewed as an unfair term, so talk to Citizens Advice to see if it can help.

Only got electricity? You can still switch suppliers

If you don't have a gas supply, don't think the rules are different. If you only have electricity, you can still switch your energy supplier. Most deals are also available as electricity-only tariffs. You can use our Cheap Energy Club to do a comparison of the top deals.

The same is true if you have an Economy 7 meter and tariff (which gives a cheaper electricity rate at night and a more expensive one in the day). These tariffs are mainly for those who use night time storage heaters to heat their home and water. However, providers' day and night rates do vary massively, so always check which one's best for you based on your usage. 

On prepay? You can still switch but there's usually much less choice

If you prepay for your energy, switching is essentially the same as it is for those that pay by direct debit. However, there are very few fixes and other switchers' deals for those on prepay – most providers only have their standard variable tariff available. 

The good news is that in July 2023, the Government committed to ending the 'prepay premium' (where prepay users paid higher rates under the Price Cap). As such, those on prepayment meters now pay 3% less on average for their energy on the Cap, compared to those who pay by Direct Debit.

Yet as all the big discounts are thrown out to win new Direct Debit customers, it's highly likely Direct Debit will stay the overall cheapest option for people who switch energy tariffs. For those who don't, it'll be prepay.

If you do want to regularly switch energy deals, it's worth seeing if you're able to switch to a credit meter. For full info, see our Prepaid gas & electricity guide.

On a fix? You can switch penalty-free in the last 49 days of your deal

Under Ofgem rules, suppliers can't charge exit fees in the last seven weeks of fixed-term deals. So if you're near the end of a fix, you won't have to pay a fee to leave it and move to a new tariff – provided you start your switch within the last 49 days of your current deal.

Check with your supplier how much your exit fee is (if any), and what's the earliest date you can switch without paying this. You even might save more by switching, even if you do have to pay an exit fee, but make sure to check this first.

When your fixed tariff ends, you’ll usually automatically be put onto your supplier's standard variable tariff.

  • Can I take my fixed tariff with me if I move home?

    Many energy companies will let you take your fixed tariff with you if you move home, but your prices may change if you move to a different region, so check this with your supplier before you move.

    In some cases, you won't be able to stay on the same contract when you move, for example, if you move from a property with a smart credit meter to a property with a pay as you go meter, your fixed tariff may not be compatible.

    If you move home and choose not to take your existing tariff with you, most companies will charge you an early exit fee if you have more than 49 days left on your existing contract.

On a heat network? You can't switch your heating provider – but you can still switch electricity

If your home is part of a heat network, you don't have a choice of which company supplies your heating and hot water – it will usually be your building owner or a company appointed by them.

As heat networks only supply heating and hot water, you should be able to switch your electricity supplier if you want to – you can do an electricity-only comparison via our Cheap Energy Club. But bear in mind, some blocks of flats have a communal electricity supply via the building owner.

Switched your energy recently? Check if you’re owed a refund

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If you switch energy firms and you're in credit, you're due the cash back. Your previous supplier should pay this automatically following your final bill, yet for years many energy firms pocketed the cash.

While it has improved in recent times, it could be worth checking if you're owed anything from old suppliers.

Plus, your credit must be refunded within 10 days of you receiving your final bill or you'll be owed compensation on top. 

  • How do I get my credit refunded?

    If you know you're owed, call your old supplier and ask for the cash back – it needs to refund you. The supplier will go through the process on the phone or will tell you to write in (for example, if your supplier can't trace your old account. Here you may need to include proof of ID such as a copy of a passport or driving licence).

    Once you've gone through the process of either writing or calling, you should get the full overpaid amount. How long it'll take varies by supplier, but Ofgem rules state that suppliers have a maximum of six weeks from a switch to automatically send you a final bill and then 10 working days from the final bill to automatically refund your credit balance.

  • What if they still don't play ball?

    If your provider doesn't resolve your refund query within eight weeks of your first request for it, you can complain to the free, independent Energy Ombudsman.

    Once you've contacted the ombudsman, if it agrees to take on your case it will send a response within six to eight weeks. If it rules in your favour, it will send a letter to your provider (and you) detailing what the provider needs to do. If the provider needs to pay you a refund, it has 28 days to do so.

  • I can't remember who my old supplier was, how do I check?

    Your current supplier might be able to tell you who your old provider was by checking the UK database.

    If not, you might have to do some digging – see if you can find any old bank statements or check your credit report. If you were renting, check with any old flatmates or perhaps even an old landlord to see if they remember the supplier.

What if something goes wrong?

While most energy switching should be fairly smooth, problems can happen occasionally. If you do experience an issue with your provider, or while switching, there are a number of rules in place to protect you.

Had a switching problem? You may be entitled to automatic compensation

What you get depends on the problem, but automatic compensation is available for the following issues:

  • If your switch takes longer than five working days to complete
  • If your supplier takes longer than six weeks to send your final bill
  • If your supplier takes longer than 10 working days after your final bill to issue a credit refund
  • If you are switched to another supplier by mistake

You'll usually get £30 for each issue you experience, and while the compensation should be automatic, the supplier can only pay you if it can identify an issue in the first place, so if you think you're eligible, contact your supplier to make a claim.

You usually can’t be billed for energy used more than a year ago 

Back-billing usually happens when suppliers estimate bills as they don't have regular, accurate meter readings. Once they have the meter readings, they may then send a catch-up bill if the estimated bill is too low.

However, since 2018, energy firms are not allowed to bill you for energy used more than 12 months ago – as long as it's not your fault that you've not paid the right amount. This includes if the firm has used estimates to bill you rather than actual meter readings and there's a discrepancy. 

Ofgem’s backbilling rules apply to all payment methods, regardless of the payment type, meter mode or meter arrangements. This also includes situations where a supplier increases your Direct Debit because it was set too low.

Scenarios which could be deemed to be your fault include if you've prevented the company from taking accurate meter readings or have been stealing energy. Ofgem says energy companies will decide on a case-by-case basis if the back-billing ban applies.

What happens if my energy company goes bust?

More than 20 energy firms have gone bust since the energy crisis began in September 2021, affecting millions of households. First of all, don't panic – you're never at risk of losing your energy supply, and any credit you're owed will be returned. The primary risk is you'll lose your current deal if your supplier goes bust, and will likely end up paying more.

Under regulator Ofgem's safety net rules, when a supplier fails a new one is appointed to take over, and once it does you'll usually be moved on to its standard tariff – which follows Ofgem's Energy Price Cap. However, you're free to switch away without exit fees once your new account is set up, so make sure you do a comparison to check if there's anything cheaper once this is done.

If your account is in credit when the supplier goes bust, the new supplier will either pay it to you or add it to your new account to pay for future energy use once it takes over your supply.

How to complain about your energy provider

The energy industry isn't known for having great customer service across the board, and while a provider may be good for some, it can be hell for others. Common problems include incorrect bills, switching issues, Direct Debits being too high, refund delays and more. 

It's always worth trying to call your provider to sort the issue first, but if not then you can use free complaints tool Resolver. The tool helps you manage your complaint, and if the company doesn't play ball, it also helps you escalate your complaint to the free Energy Ombudsman.

Top tips to cut energy bills

While energy deals are slowly returning, you can no longer save £100s a year like you could before the energy crisis began. But there are still things you can do to lower your bills and keep costs down.

  • Cutting use cuts bills, and it can be simple to do. Turn down the thermostat and wear jumpers, turn lights off when you leave a room, defrost the fridge and check it's not on too high, use energy saving light bulbs and don't leave electrical goods on standby. For more info, see our top Energy saving tipsEnergy mythbusters and Heat the human, the not the home.

  • Paying by monthly Direct Debit can cut bills by about £100 each year on average, compared to paying on receipt of a bill, as companies are sure you won't default and they earn interest on any overpayments. So if you can do this, go for it. 

    In fact, most deals are aimed at those who pay by monthly Direct Debit, so you'll usually have the most choice and the cheapest prices if you choose to pay this way.

    Even if you're on a price-capped tariff, it's usually worth opting to pay by Direct Debit, as the Price Cap is set lower for those that pay this way, compared to paying on receipt of bill – see our What is the energy price cap? guide for full info.

    Yet Direct Debits are usually based on an estimate of your usage. If that's wrong, you can end up overpaying (or underpaying) each month. Remember, even if you're on a fixed tariff, your Direct Debit can go up if your supplier thinks you'll use more energy. See our Energy direct debit guide, for full info.

  • Energy suppliers run schemes (usually during winter) that pay customers to cut their electricity use at peak times. So you could earn a few quid whilst helping the environment. Our Get paid to cut your energy use guide explains how these initiatives work, who's eligible and how you can sign up.

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    Your energy supplier has to help if you're struggling to pay your energy bills. You can see a full run-down of what's available in our What to do if you're struggling with energy bills guide.

    There are also Government schemes that have been in place since before the energy crisis hit, which will continue this winter for those eligible. These include the £150 warm home discount and a £25 cold weather payment for each week the temperature drops below freezing (or a flat £59 if you're in Scotland). Plus up to £300 winter fuel payment for some pensioners.

  • Energy efficiency can seriously cut bills, and there are wads of freebies on offer from energy providers. It's all part of their energy-efficiency obligations to people in certain groups.

    If you're on certain benefits, or live in a certain council tax band, you could get free insulation or a grant to replace an old boiler. Our Great British Insulation Scheme guide has more on what's available and who can get it.

  • Don't rely on your energy provider's estimate, these are often way out. If they're underbilling, you'll have a big whack to pay when your supplier receives your actual meter reading. If they're overbilling, then they've unfairly got your cash.

    Use our Energy direct debit calculator to see if you're on track. If your direct debit is way off kilter, call up and ask for it to be changed and ask for any excess credit to be refunded to you.

    Smart meters can help stop this as they send meter readings automatically to your supplier, so you only pay for what you use. See the Smart meters guide for more.

  • If you live in Northern Ireland, there are just five firms supplying households with electricity (this will soon be only four firms, as Electric Ireland is withdrawing from Northern Ireland energy market). But it's still worth checking if you can save by switching supplier or changing the way you pay for energy – some could slash £100s/year off their bill.

    However, only some have the option of switching gas suppliers, as there are currently only two in Northern Ireland: Firmus Energy and SSE Airtricity, and which you are supplied by depends on where you live.

    For more info, read out Cheap Northern Ireland energy guide.

More energy switching FAQs

We've answered some more commonly asked energy switching questions below. For more, see our full Cheap Energy Club FAQs

  • Suppliers are all the same, so isn't switching pointless?

    You're right – in many ways they are the same. Yet switching isn't actually about suppliers. Just like one mobile phone firm has many different tariffs, often so do energy suppliers. One supplier could have both the UK's cheapest and most expensive tariff.

    So the aim's to find your cheapest tariff, regardless of the firm.

  • Can you switch energy at any time?

    Most people can switch energy at any time, but there are some instances when you may not be able to, for example, you're in a fixed contract so will incur early exit fees, or you may be in debt to your energy supplier, which needs to be repaid before you can switch.

  • How much notice do I need to change my energy supplier?

    You don't need to give your current supplier any notice to switch to a new supplier. The new one will inform the old one and handle the switch for you.

    However, if you're on a fixed deal that has early exit fees, you won't be able to switch penalty free if you have more than 49 days left on your contract.

  • Should I go for a short, cheaper fix, or fix long? I can't decide.

    First, look at how much you'd save with each fix. Then ask yourself: "Am I the type of person who'll switch regularly?" Will you keep on top of this and remember to switch at the end of each deal?

    If yes, then a shorter fix – which will generally be cheaper – is worth considering. Be aware though that if energy prices rise over the next few years, you could end up with pricier deal when that fix ends.

    The less likely you are to switch, the more you should consider a long fix. When looking at longer fixes, bear in mind that right now, they're not that cheap. And frankly we can't help you decide. There are simply no assessments of what'll happen to prices over that time, in such a volatile market as we have now. Yet if you really value certainty, it may win out with hindsight. See longer fixes.

  • I'm moving home, can I take my fix with me?

    If you're moving, some providers will allow you to take the fixed tariff to your new home. Costs vary by region, so if you're moving to a new one, you may pay new prices.

    Therefore if you're fixing right now, it's best to compare based on your new postcode (if you know it) as you'll be there longer – and, of course, check the fix is portable (so it can be moved).

  • Should I call my existing provider to fix?

    No, no, no. This isn't about grabbing any fix. That could leave you locking in at a high cost – it's about locking in on the cheapest fix, which may be with another provider.

  • Must energy providers give notice of price rises?

    Suppliers should give you 'reasonable notice' of a price rise, though there is no set time timeframe. 

  • I've just moved home, how can I compare?

    If you can get an idea of usage figures from the previous homeowners, brilliant. These figures will give you the most accurate comparison.

    If not, some comparisons offer a movers' service. Answer some basic questions about the house, such as size and appliance use, and it'll tell you the likely cheapest provider.

    Until you switch, the energy supplied to the home will come from the supplier the previous owners used, usually under a price-capped standard variable tariff. So make sure to check if it's worth switching.

  • I fixed but prices have gone up. Will I still get the fix?

    The point of a fix is you're not affected by price rises.

    If you've switched to a cheap fix that has since been pulled, you'll likely be fine – you should get the prices advertised at the point you applied (whether directly or via a comparison site).

    Things can go wrong, though. You could fail a credit check, or maybe you're heavily indebted to your supplier and it tries to block you. If so, you should be told within about two weeks.

  • I'm only going to save £10. Is it worth switching?

    Remember, by fixing you're not just saving now, the aim is to get a guarantee against prices rising. 

  • I've heard some people switch to a cheaper price but have a bigger Direct Debit?

    Direct Debits are based on an estimate of your usage. Some find they switch to a cheaper tariff, but their Direct Debit rises.

    This is usually because the new firm overestimates, or the old one underestimates. If it's too high and you're overpaying, you'll get the money back later. If it's a problem, you've a right to ask your supplier to lower it.

    See Energy Direct Debits help, which includes a calculator to estimate what you should be paying each month, plus info on how to get back excess credit and ask for your Direct Debit amount to be changed.

  • Is it cheaper to have one energy supplier?

    Energy providers often give dual-fuel discounts if you take both gas and electricity. However, it's not always the case.

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