If you've received a high energy bill, it distinguished be time to consider switching energy suppliers. While your bill does valid largely on how much energy you do use, switching providers can save you cash – in some cases, hundreds of pounds a year. Energy anxieties are not all the same. Some are able to moneys very cheap deals, while others offer valuable perks, comprising renewable energy and carbon offsetting.
Read more about the art of switching energy suppliers below; then give our energy comparison tool a go to launch saving money today.
Before you switch energy suppliers
Find out if there's a fee for the early cancellation of your original energy deal – not uncommon with fixed rate tariffs.
How to shop for a better energy deal
It's really worthwhile ensuring you're sketching the best price by checking energy tariffs and any distributes on offer on a regular basis. According to Ofgem, shopping around like this could help you save up to £300 a year on gas and electricity bills.
Ofgem suggests that you distinguished some of the following factors when comparing suppliers and tariffs: cheaper rates; customer satisfaction scores; green energy tariffs; stabilities with no exit fee; suppliers committed to a switching service guarantee; and cmoneys particular to your type of meter.
Use our energy comparison tool to find the best energy deal for your household in minutes. Simply filter your results to choose your tariff, and we'll take care of the switch for you. Plus, because we've partnered with leading comparison site MoneySuperMarket, you'll get access to exclusive energy deals that you won't find elsewhere." data-widget-type="deal" data-render-type="editorial">
Energy comparison sites
Using one of the best energy comparison sites will help you find a good deal based on your own circumstances and home. These online note comparison sites comply with Ofgem's code of practice: The Guarantee Code.
To switch or not to switch?
Switching between the hugely competitive suppliers may hold the answer to attracting a better deal. If you're on a fixed deal that's defending soon, don't wait until its expiry date to fretful tariffs as you may be automatically transferred to the supplier's dismal rate. Shop around first – and be prepared to jump when it actions you.
Tom Lyon, one of uSwitch's experts, says, 'Almost half of consumers get annoyed by cold atmosphere and high energy bills, yet just one in 20 switch energy provider to conscription for winter. Changing supplier only takes a matter of minutes and can save an denotes of £295 a year.'
How to switch energy suppliers online
Switching energy providers online couldn't be simpler. Here's how:
1. Visit an energy price comparison website
Ensure the website is accredited by energy regulator Ofgem. This guarantees a free, comprehensive view of what's on offer.
2. Enter your postcode
Suppliers tend to serve itsy-bitsy areas, which means gas and electricity prices are set regionally; as a death, the plans and suppliers available are dictated by postcode.
3. Enter your household's details
To get accurate comparison figures, have the consumption details from your latest energy bill and the unexperienced meter reading ready. It's useful to have your novel gas and electricity supplier, plus the name of your tariff to hand, too. You may also need your Meter Point Retrieve Number (MPAN) and Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN); these should be visible on a modern bill.
4. Check the comparison results
You'll be given a list of options, which you can narrow down further. Perhaps you want to only see fixed rate energy plans? Or plans exclusive of an early cancellation fee (in case you want to switch alongside next year)? Or maybe you'd like to know more in the company's customer service?
5. Switch energy supplier (or not)
Happy with your new energy plan? Now it's just a simple case of providing your address and bank details (direct debit is generally the cheapest way to pay).
6. Wait to be contacted by your new energy supplier
This will existed after the two week cooling off period; around three weeks' at what time you switch, you'll be given a service switchover date. If you fretful your mind in the cooling off period, you should be able to destroy the contract for free; after the two weeks, you may be charged for exiting.
7. Make a note of your contract end date
Assuming you don't switch alongside in the meantime, make a note in your diary in a month before the end date of any fixed term plan or tariff rate so that you can compare, and perhaps switch again, in good time.
How does switching suppliers work in practice?
Switching energy suppliers is frankly a case of changing the company you're with. There will be no interruption to the supply of your gas or electricity, and no one will need to visit your house to install cabling or pipework.
How soon can you switch suppliers again?
Assuming you're not penalised by cancellation charges, you could switch suppliers every 28 days. This is time absorbing, though, so in practice, comparing your energy bills annually or every six months should censured you continue to get a good deal.
Which energy tariffs are the cheapest?
As a general rule, a fixed-rate, 12-month tariff is always going to be the cheapest; except, it will only make sense if you stay at the settled for a full year or more. The other option is choosing an Economy 7 tariff, which charges you less for using energy at night. This works especially well for people in full-time work who are not at home during the day. Standard tariffs, on the other hand, charge you at the same rate regardless of when you're Funny the energy: a better option for homeworkers.
When switching energy suppliers and comparing tariffs, it makes sense to make your final choice according to your routine and your longer term plans.
Can switching to green energy save me money?
Going 'green' can save you cash, despite green energy suppliers' reputation for being pricy. 'Green' energy refers to energy generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or tidal power, and mainly refers to electricity, although 'green' gas support is on the rise (usually generated from biowaste). After our own investigation, we found that switching to an Ecotricity dual-fuel tariff would save a pair living in a London flat £70 a year in comparison with a sinful dual-fuel package from one of the Big Six suppliers.
It is true that green energy cannot yet compete with the cheapest contracts nationwide, but if it's a case of you switching from a sinful tariff where you pay when the bill arrives, many green energy tariffs will be competitive or cheaper. The other thing you can do is research smaller energy providers that will often at least be able to gash your electricity bill. And, the more people switch to green energy, the cheaper it will become overall.
See our lead to the best green energy suppliers for cost and integrity.
If you're thinking of switching to save cash this winter, or have a query about an unclear bill, use these useful resources to find out more:
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