Switching energy supplier is one of the simplest money-saving moves you can make — and one of the most ignored. The whole thing starts in a few minutes online, completes in about five working days, and never interrupts your gas or electricity. Your pipes and wires don't change; only the company that bills you does. Here's the full process, what you'll need to hand, and the small print worth checking before you commit.
Before you start: what you need
You can get an accurate comparison with just a couple of numbers from a recent bill or your online account:
- Your annual consumption in kWh (gas and electricity). This is the single biggest factor in an accurate quote — far more useful than the headline "typical" figures.
- Your current tariff name and whether it's fixed or variable.
- Your postcode, which determines the regional rates available to you.
If you can't find your usage, an estimate based on home size and occupants works — but the kWh figure gives you the truest comparison.
Step 1 — Compare tariffs on what you actually use
Run a comparison filtered to your real consumption rather than a generic profile. Pay attention to the unit rate (pence per kWh) and the standing charge (a fixed daily cost you pay regardless of usage). A low unit rate with a high standing charge can cost a light user more than the reverse. Compare energy deals side by side before you decide.
Step 2 — Choose fixed or variable
A fixed tariff locks your unit rates for a set term (often 12–24 months), giving budget certainty but usually an exit fee if you leave early. A variable tariff tracks the market and the price cap — it can fall, but it can also rise at short notice. If certainty matters to you and the fixed price is at or below what you're paying now, fixing is often worth it. If you value flexibility, a capped variable tariff keeps your options open.
Step 3 — Sign up (your new supplier does the rest)
Once you pick a deal, your new supplier handles the switch. You don't need to contact your old one — they'll be notified automatically. Under the Energy Switch Guarantee, the change completes within about five working days, and crucially there's no interruption to your supply at any point.
Step 4 — The 14-day cooling-off period
When you switch online or by phone you get a 14-day cooling-off period. Change your mind in that window and you can cancel without penalty. The switch typically begins after cooling-off ends, which is why the full process can take a couple of weeks from sign-up to go-live.
Step 5 — Send a meter reading and settle the final bill
On or around your switch date, submit a meter reading to both suppliers (a smart meter does this for you). Your old supplier then issues a final bill within six weeks — and refunds any credit on your account. Keep an eye out for that refund; it's yours.
Things to check before you commit
- Exit fees: if you're mid-term on a fixed tariff, check whether leaving triggers a charge — and whether the saving still beats it.
- Payment method: monthly Direct Debit is almost always the cheapest option.
- Dual fuel vs separate: bundling gas and electricity with one supplier can be convenient, but it isn't always the cheapest — compare both.
- Smart meter: most switches keep your meter working, though some older smart meters temporarily lose their "smart" features after a switch and need re-commissioning.
Will my supply ever be cut off?
No. The gas and electricity reaching your home come through the same national networks no matter who you buy from. Switching is purely a billing change — there are no engineers, no new meters required, and no risk of being left without power.
The bottom line
If you've been on the same variable tariff for a while, you're very likely paying more than you need to. Compare on your real usage, check for exit fees, and let your new supplier do the legwork. Five working days later you're on a better deal — same gas, same electricity, smaller bill. Start your energy comparison here.
