Name: What Uswitch customers are saying
Brand: Uswitch
Rating: 4.8 (21680 reviews)

Question 1

What should I look for when choosing a new energy supplier?

Accepted Answer

Historically, it’s true that many customers haven’t been concerned with specifically comparing energy suppliers - the annual cost of the deal is more important to them.

However, with cheap energy suppliers in short supply in the current market and many smaller suppliers dropping out of the market in the past year, customers are now asking “which energy supplier is best for me?”. For instance, those looking to switch energy might feel more comfortable with an established and more secure energy supplier (though be aware that some energy switching options may currently be limited to existing customers).

Additionally, energy suppliers’ customer service would be a key point to consider regardless of the wider market situation, so make sure you check out different companies’ reputations if this is a particularly important element for you. Some suppliers may also have perks and rewards for customers, which you may feel would be worth taking advantage of.

Question 2

How does switching energy supplier work?

Accepted Answer

When it comes to changing energy supplier, you don’t need to worry about the logistics of switching from one to the other - Uswitch will let your current supplier know when you decide to switch, and it will then pick the process up with your new supplier, so you’ll never need to get involved. Most suppliers are part of the Energy Switch Guarantee, which guarantees a timely and hassle-free switch to customers, so there shouldn’t be any problems with your energy switch.

Question 3

Why are my energy bills so high?

Accepted Answer

Energy bills are currently high because of a range of factors that have caused the price of wholesale energy to rocket. This means it costs energy suppliers more to buy the energy they supply customers with, and they therefore have to charge customers more to cover themselves financially.

The few fixed energy deals that are now available are likely to be extremely expensive, with standard variable tariffs now at the cheaper end of the market. If you're coming off a fixed deal, you're almost certainly going to have to pay more for your energy than you have been. A standard variable tariff, though, might be the most affordable option for you. Consider your options carefully and take a look at our energy market Q&A for more information.

One way to reduce the amount you pay for your energy is to track how much you're using. Check that your bill is based on actual readings of your gas and electricity meters rather than estimated ones. It’s important to take your own readings so that you get charged accurately. Or consider getting a smart meter, which provides real-time meter readings and can help you monitor your energy usage — you can request one from your supplier or switch to a smart meter tariff.

Question 4

How can I get a cheap gas and electricity deal?

Accepted Answer

It's going to be difficult, given the current state of the energy market, for many customers to find a cheap gas and electricity deal. Energy prices have risen by a significant amount, with deals hundreds of pounds more expensive than they were a year ago.

It may be the case that a standard variable tariff, which is capped at £2,500 until the end of 2023, is the cheapest deal available for many customers. Fixed deals are now extremely expensive and could lock you in for a long time. Consider your options carefully and check out our energy Q&A here for more information.

Question 5

Won't the price cap cut my energy bills?

Accepted Answer

Since the price cap's introduction, it's fair to say that it hasn't really helped cut people's energy bills. The standard variable tariffs it applies to have still been the most expensive on the market, especially when compared to fixed deals.

However, with energy prices rocketing, there are no fixed deals available. The price cap was set to increase by 80% in October, but the government has announced an Energy Price Guarantee that has seen the cap frozen at £2,500 per year on average.

It’s important to remember that this is a cap on the unit rate of the energy you use - it is not a cap on your total bill. The less energy you use, the less you will pay - so you can still save money by managing your energy usage.

Find out more in our government announcement guide

Question 6

Which is the cheapest energy supplier?

Accepted Answer

The cheapest energy supplier for someone else isn’t necessarily the cheapest for you. That’s why we compare energy suppliers tailored to you to get the best energy deals.

Energy suppliers vary their pricing by region and your bill will also depend on your usage. Different energy suppliers also target different types of household, so some might offer their cheapest gas and electricity deal to a family home with high usage, while someone living alone with low usage might find a cheap energy deal with a different supplier.

Question 7

Which is the best energy supplier?

Accepted Answer

The best gas and electricity supplier for you won’t necessarily be the cheapest. You can use Uswitch to filter by what’s important to you, whether that’s a large supplier or one that offers green energy plans.

We also know customer service is important, so we’ve assigned each supplier star ratings based on our energy customer satisfaction report to help you compare energy suppliers, from the well-known ‘big six’ to the smaller suppliers you might not be so familiar with.

Question 8

Would a smart meter save me money?

Accepted Answer

A smart meter won’t save you money directly, but it will show how much energy you’re using each day and highlight areas where you could afford to cut back on your energy usage. This could therefore have a positive impact on your bills.

Question 9

How often do energy prices change?

Accepted Answer

Energy prices can change every day as they reflect the market changes. If you are on a variable plan, your rates may fluctuate throughout the year, but should not increase until at least July 2023 under the government’s Energy Price Guarantee. At that point, it is possible that the Ofgem price cap level will be under the £2,500 level of the EPG, so standard variable prices would be dictated by the price cap again.

On a fixed plan, your rates will stay the same during the fixed period.

Question 10

What is the energy price cap?

Accepted Answer

The energy price cap is a limit on the unit rates and standing charges that energy suppliers can charge for their standard variable - or ‘default’ - tariffs. The rate is set by Ofgem, the energy regulator, and is reviewed four times a year.

It's important to remember that the cap is based on unit rates - that's the actual price that is changing - but in order to more clearly and easily report it, the "cap level" is based on an average use dual fuel customer paying by direct debit. This means that you could actually pay more than the cap amount if you live in a bigger house and/or use more energy. You could also pay less if you use less.

While the government's Energy Price Guarantee has frozen the cap level at £2,500 until the end of June 2023, Ofgem calculated that the cap would have risen to £4,279 per year in January 2023 and then drop to £3,280 in April. As a result of falling wholesale energy prices, it is possible that the price cap level will have dropped further by the summer of 2023.

Question 11

What is the Energy Price Guarantee?

Accepted Answer

The Energy Price Guarantee was introduced by the government as a response to the prohibitively high price cap level announced by Ofgem in August 2022. It effectively freezes the price cap at £2,500 until the end of June 2023. While this cap level is still significantly higher than the prices customers were paying last year, but not as high as the wholesale energy market was dictating.

It’s important to remember that the normal caveats about the price cap figure still apply here - this is a cap on energy unit rates and standing charges, not your total bill. The less energy you use, the less you will pay, but if you use more than £2,500 worth of energy, you'll pay more than £2,500.

Question 12

What is a dual fuel tariff?

Accepted Answer

A dual fuel tariff is an energy tariff that combines electricity and gas from the same supplier, so you only need one energy tariff. Not only can this work out more cheaply than getting the two fuels from different suppliers, but it also reduces admin on your end because you only have one bill to pay, one number to call if you need customer service and so on.

Question 13

How do I get a green energy deal?

Accepted Answer

Green energy has become more accessible in recent years, and most suppliers now offer at least one renewable or green energy plan. We’ll highlight green plans in your energy comparison results, and you can even filter your results to show only green energy plans.

Question 14

Can I switch energy if I have a prepayment meter?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can switch energy if you’re on a prepayment meter. Just select ‘Prepayment meter’ when you’re asked how you pay your energy bills. You can tell you’re on a prepayment meter if you pay in advance with a smart card, token or key. You can also choose to switch away from using a prepayment meter by replacing it with a credit meter.

Question 15

What is the best type of energy tariff?

Accepted Answer

Similarly to the cheapest supplier question, the best type of energy tariff for someone else won’t necessarily be the right one for you. The most important thing to think about is whether you want a dual fuel deal or whether you want single fuel deals from two different suppliers. There will obviously be price considerations to take into account, as well as the reputations and size of different suppliers. Think about what’s most important to you and make your decision based on that.

Question 16

Can you use Uswitch to check your energy options?

Accepted Answer

Using an energy comparison site like Uswitch is the easiest way to compare energy prices and switch energy supplier. We collate the vast majority of the energy deals on the market in one place and sometimes even offer exclusive deals that can’t be found anywhere else. We also initiate the switch with your current supplier, which will take the process forward with your new supplier so you don’t have to get involved at any point.

Question 17

What should you look for when comparing energy deals?

Accepted Answer

When comparing energy deals, the annual price of the different deals is probably the main factor to consider, especially given the current state of the market - there’s little guarantee that any deals will be suitable for you to switch to, though. In a functioning market, there are other areas that might have a bearing on your decision, such as whether the supplier’s deals use renewable energy, which is becoming more important as we look to halt the progress of climate change.

Question 18

How does comparing energy work with Uswitch?

Accepted Answer

It’s easy to get started with comparing and switching energy thanks to the Uswitch Quick Checker. You’ll need your postcode and your plan name to get a personalised recommendation with regard to how your energy use compares to the average and what you could do about switching. You’ll then be able to see the results table which shows how much you’ll spend or save compared to your current deal, and you can select deals you want more information about from there. Once you’ve found one, you just need to confirm your switch and Uswitch will do the rest.

Question 19

Can I compare gas and electricity deals individually?

Accepted Answer

Some customers who use both gas and electricity prefer to compare energy prices for individual fuels as opposed to combining them into one deal. This can sometimes work out more cheaply than a dual fuel deal depending on the supplier. You can do this on the results table by using the filters provided.

Question 20

Can I get a green energy deal with Uswitch?

Accepted Answer

If you’re looking to switch energy to a greener option, you can look out for our Green Accreditation badges on the results table. Our independent panel rates every green deal as either Bronze, Silver or Gold, depending on the green credentials of the deal itself and any wider green initiatives that suppliers are involved in. Clicking on a specific deal will tell you why it’s been given its rating.

Question 21

How long will it take to switch?

Accepted Answer

Most of the UK’s energy suppliers are signed up to the Energy Switch Guarantee, which guarantees that the supplier you’re switching to will complete the process, and that it will be done within five days.

There’s also a two-week ‘cooling off’ period, during which you can cancel the switch free of charge.

Question 22

Do I need to cancel my Direct Debit when I switch?

Accepted Answer

There’s no need to get in touch with your old supplier once you’ve made your energy switch. Once they’ve received notification of your switch, the supplier should send a final bill and close your old account once you’ve paid any outstanding amount. While there’s no need to cancel your Direct Debit, you can do this through your bank if you want to be more confident you won’t still be charged – just remember to settle your final bill first.

Question 23

Will my gas and electricity be interrupted if I switch?

Accepted Answer

Your gas and electricity won’t be interrupted at any time - even if your supplier goes out of business and you’re transferred to another supplier, the lights and heating will stay on. In the case of switching, most energy suppliers are signed up to the Energy Switch Guarantee, which requires switching for customers to be reliable and hassle-free. With that in mind, any problems involving the interruption of your supply are extremely unlikely.

Question 24

Can I switch energy supplier if I owe my current supplier money?

Accepted Answer

You can switch energy supplier if you’ve been in debt for fewer than 28 days - the money you owe will be added to your final bill. If you’ve been in debt for longer, you probably won’t be able to switch until you’ve settled that debt (unless the supplier’s billed you incorrectly).

If you’re on a prepayment meter, you can switch as long as the debt to your current supplier isn’t greater than £500.

Question 25

I’m moving home. How do I switch gas and electricity?

Accepted Answer

If you’re moving and you want to take your current deal with you, let your provider know - depending on where you’re moving to, you may be able to take it with you. Otherwise, you’re free to switch away from the supplier in residence at your new property in the normal way.

One thing to remember to do is take a meter reading on the day you move out, and take another one at the new property - this will ensure you’re only paying for what you use. Read more in our guide.

Question 26

How do I compare energy prices?

Accepted Answer

You can compare energy prices by providing your postcode and usage details (starting with the postcode entry box at the top of this page) so we can show you the deals available in your area along with the estimated savings based on your current usage.

Question 27

What information do I need to switch energy supplier?

Accepted Answer

In order to switch energy supplier, you’ll need:

Your address
Your tariff name

Uswitch will collect your usage data and current supplier from your address details.

You don’t necessarily need all that to compare energy deals, but you run the risk of an inaccurate personal projection and savings estimate if you don’t provide as much information as possible at the start of the process.

Question 28

Can I switch energy supplier if I rent?

Accepted Answer

You can usually switch energy supplier if you’re a renter as long as you pay the energy bills. If the landlord pays the energy bills, you will need to get their permission.

Question 29

What if I want to compare gas and electricity prices separately?

Accepted Answer

If you want to only see gas deals or electricity deals, you can filter available tariffs on our results table.

Question 30

What happens when I switch?

Accepted Answer

When you confirm your switch, you’ll get a confirmation email from your chosen supplier within a day or two to let you know that it’s going ahead. Once it’s completed, which should be within 14 days, you’ll get another onboarding email letting you know that you’re officially getting your energy from your new supplier. Your supply won’t be cut off at any point, so you can sit back and relax.

Question 31

Can I switch to the same energy supplier?

Accepted Answer

If you don’t want to switch energy supplier, you still might be able to find a cheap gas and electricity deal with Uswitch. If you haven’t switched energy before it’s likely that you’re on your provider’s standard variable or default tariff, which is typically the most expensive type of plan on offer. You can use Uswitch to compare energy deals from your current provider if you’re happy with the service but want to save on your energy bills.

Question 32

Would a smart meter save me money?

Accepted Answer

A smart meter won’t save you money directly, but it will show how much energy you’re using each day and highlight areas where you could afford to cut back on your energy usage. This could therefore have a positive impact on your bills.

Question 33

How do I get a smart meter?

Accepted Answer

If you don't have a smart meter and you would like one, the quickest way to get one is to ask your supplier whether it's possible to have one installed - there is a deadline of the end of 2025 for everyone in Britain to be offered one, but asking might help you get one sooner rather than later.

Question 34

What are the benefits of smart meters?

Accepted Answer

Smart meters automatically send your usage readings to your supplier, meaning that you will be charged more accurately and won't have to spend time taking and sending readings manually. Smart meters with an in-home display can also be connected to via Utrack, which provides a comprehensive view of energy usage throughout the home and shows you how you might be able to use energy more efficiently.

Compare energy deals

Be the first to find out when you can switch energy

Why are energy bills so high?

What is the energy price cap?

What is the Energy Price Guarantee?

Beat the Energy Price Guarantee

Why can’t I compare energy and switch with Uswitch?

Can we let you know when energy deals are available?

Where else can I compare and save across Uswitch?

Broadband & TV

Mobiles

Car insurance

How can I save energy and manage my bills?

Control your energy with our free app, Utrack by Uswitch

Would a smart meter save me money?

How do I get a smart meter?

What are the benefits of smart meters?

What energy help can I get?

Comparing business energy

You can still compare and switch business energy with Uswitch.

Comparing energy deals

Can you use Uswitch to check your energy options?

What should you look for when comparing energy deals?

How does comparing energy work with Uswitch?

Can I compare gas and electricity deals individually?

Can I get a green energy deal with Uswitch?

Comparing energy suppliers

What should I look for when choosing a new energy supplier?

How does switching energy supplier work?

What Uswitch customers are saying

"I spoke with Lauren today at Uswitch as I have just moved house and she was so helpful regarding energy providers and she gave me some good advice about switching and when the best time to do so would be."

Energy prices

Why are my energy bills so high?

How can I get a cheap gas and electricity deal?

Won't the price cap cut my energy bills?

Which is the cheapest energy supplier?

Which is the best energy supplier?

Would a smart meter save me money?

How often do energy prices change?

How to switch energy

How long will it take to switch?

Do I need to cancel my Direct Debit when I switch?

Will my gas and electricity be interrupted if I switch?

Can I switch energy supplier if I owe my current supplier money?

I’m moving home. How do I switch gas and electricity?

How do I compare energy prices?

What information do I need to switch energy supplier?

Can I switch energy supplier if I rent?

What if I want to compare gas and electricity prices separately?

What happens when I switch?

Can I switch to the same energy supplier?

Types of energy

What is a dual fuel tariff?

How do I get a green energy deal?

Can I switch energy if I have a prepayment meter?

What is the best type of energy tariff?