Rising energy bills and a seemingly neverending winter has lead to a massive squeeze on family finances, with one in five households now in debt with their energy supplier. Scary stuff, right? But we don’t need to be completely at the mercy of our energy providers. Shopping around can save an average of £217 per year if we switch energy supplier. Here’s how to make that switch easy.
Switching could save your family over £300 a year - imagine what you could do with all that extra money!
When was the last time you switched energy supplier? Have you ignored this for ages, meaning you’re stuck on an old-fashioned, expensive tariff? That’s a mistake that three quarters of us have made, according to Ofgem, which results in us paying higher energy bills than we should be.
We’ve teamed up with uSwitch, a free, impartial comparison and switching service, to make it simple for you to get the lowest price on your gas and electricity.
Think switching energy supplier will involve a lot of work? You couldn’t be more wrong – it’s easy.
Follow the simple steps below to compare prices and switch energy supplier. All you’ll need to do is enter your postcode and a few details about your current utility bills, and uSwitch will find the best deals that will save you the most money on your electricity and gas bills. They’ll help you switch one or both providers. They even fill in all the forms for you!
Got a question? You’ll also find answers to some frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
Otherwise, just enter your postcode below and see how much you could save.
Switching could save your family over £300 a year - imagine what you could do with all that extra money!
How to switch energy supplier and save £££s
- Enter your postcode in the box above
- Tell uSwitch who your current energy supplier is and how much energy you use
- Tell them how you pay your bills e.g. direct debit
- Discover the cheapest energy supplier for you in a comparable list
- To switch energy supplier, enter a few more details including your address
- An application is sent to your new energy supplier
- Your new account with your new energy supplier is set up
- Pay off your last bill at the end of your contract, cancel any direct debits to previous suppliers and take a meter reading
- Switched!
- Your energy supply won’t be interrupted, you won’t be billed twice and you’ll have 14 days to change your mind
Frequently asked questions
How do price comparison sites help?
You can switch energy supplier direct with your provider, but you will need some time to do the proper research and fill in all the necessary forms. Using a comparison site like uSwitch will help you save time and money, and simplify the whole process for you. Rather than you trawling through each provider’s offers separately, the comparison site will automatically find the best deal for your needs, handle the whole switchover process, and complete all the paperwork.
What information do I need to switch energy supplier?
All you need is your postcode, your current supplier’s name and a copy of your bill.
Will I need to contact my new supplier?
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No. uSwitch will send you an email as soon as you have confirmed the switch. Your new supplier will then be in touch within two weeks. They will also let your old supplier know that you are switching.
I am renting. Can I still switch?
Absolutely. It is illegal for landlords or letting agencies to stop their tenants from switching energy suppliers.
Will I be billed twice?
No. Your new supplier will only take payments from the switch date, so you will not pay twice for the same thing. Once you’ve confirmed a switch, it’s always a good idea to contact your bank and cancel any direct debits or standing orders that you’ve set up with your old supplier.
Will my current energy supply be disrupted?
No. There will be no disruptions to your energy supply as you switch from your old energy supplier to a new one.
How often can I change my energy supplier?
You can change as many times as you want unless there are cancellations fees or your contract has substantial exit penalties. uSwitch has information on hand about various tariffs.
Will I get good service if I keep switching energy providers?
Yes. When you sign a new contract with an energy supplier, it will include service standards as part of terms and conditions that they are legally bound to stick to. So no matter how many times you switch, and no matter who your provider is, they are all bound by the same rules.
Will there be a cancellation fee?
In most cases, you won’t have to pay a cancellation fee to your current supplier. However, there are some exceptions, for example fixed plans may include a cancellation penalty if you switch before the end of the fixed term. You should check the terms and conditions of your current plan to be clear.
How are my savings calculated?
uSwitch calculates your savings using prices provided directly by the gas and electricity suppliers. Price savings are based on information you provide about your current supplier and your consumption. Your consumption is used to match the way you use gas and electricity with cheaper plans that would work for you. uSwitch is an impartial service – no gas or electricity supplier has a share in uSwitch, which means that the results are ranked by what works best for you.
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