How to switch energy supplier

Why switching is worth your time

If you have never switched, or you have rolled onto a standard variable tariff after a fixed deal ended, you are almost certainly paying more than you need to. Suppliers keep their sharpest prices for new customers, so loyalty rarely pays. Ten minutes now can save a typical household a few hundred pounds over a year.

You do not need to contact your old supplier, and your gas and electricity never get cut off during a switch. The same pipes and wires carry the same energy. Only the company that bills you changes.

What you need before you start

• A recent bill or your online account, so you can see your current tariff and rates.
• Your annual usage in kWh (on your bill), or a rough idea of your spend. Accurate usage gives an accurate quote.
• Your postcode and bank details for the new direct debit.

Pay by direct debit and choose paperless billing where you can. Both usually shave a little off the price.

The switch, step by step

• Compare. Put your usage into a comparison and sort by total annual cost, not the headline unit rate. Compare energy deals to see what is available at your address.
• Pick a tariff. A fixed tariff locks your unit rates for the term, which protects you from price-cap rises but may carry an exit fee. Decide whether certainty or flexibility matters more to you.
• Sign up. The new supplier handles the switch and contacts the old one. You will get a confirmation and a switch date.
• Send a final meter reading. On or near the switch date, give both suppliers a reading so your final and opening bills are correct.

How long it takes

Most switches complete within five working days, with a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel. If you owe money to your current supplier, clear it first, as debt over 28 days old can block a switch.

Fixed or variable?

A fixed tariff fixes your rates, not your bill, so you still pay for what you use. It shields you if the price cap rises, but you may pay an exit fee to leave early. A variable tariff tracks the market and the cap, with no exit fee but no protection from increases. If prices look set to rise, fixing can be worth a small premium.

The bottom line

Switching is quick, free and safe, and it is the single most reliable way to cut an energy bill. Compare on total annual cost, send your meter readings, and set a reminder for when any fixed deal ends so you never drift back onto a pricey default tariff.