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Energy guides
If you're looking for assistance in comparing energy, switching energy or any energy problem, our energy guides are here to help.
What do you need help with?
Energy bills | Energy discounts and help | Energy meters | Energy prices | Energy suppliers | Energy switching | Energy tariffs | Smart energy
Energy bills
Managing energy bills is key for customers - find the answers to your questions here.
Gas and electricity utility bills | How to understand them
Discovering what a utility bill includes will help you understand how, why and what you have been charged by an energy supplier. Utility bills can contain a number of additional charges, facts, and figures on your home usage.
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Octopus Energy bill explained
Energy bills can be confusing, but they're not as scary as they look - find out how to read your Octopus Energy bill here.
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Average gas and electricity bills in the UK
What does the average UK gas and electricity bill look like? See how your energy usage and bills compare against Ofgem's averages for 2022.
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ScottishPower energy bill explained
Having trouble understanding your ScottishPower bill? Read our helpful energy bill breakdown to cut through the confusion.
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Estimating energy consumption | How much energy do I use?
Discover how to calculate your monthly energy usage. Work out how much gas and electricity you use and how much you could save by switching energy suppliers.
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E.ON Next energy bill explained
We break down a sample statement to help you read your E.ON Next energy bill and cut through the confusion.
Learn moreEnergy discounts and help
Various discounts and help are available to energy customers, both through industry organisations and individual suppliers. See what might be available to you here.
Informal carers and energy bills
Help for carers with energy bills - an estimated 6.5 million people in the UK act as informal carers. Many informal carers live with vulnerable friends or family, which can have an effect on their bills.
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Power cut compensation and what to do in case of a power cut
Lost gas or electricity? Suffered a power cut? The Uswitch guide to power cuts explains what you need to know and how to get what you're owed.
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How to find out if you’re eligible for an energy help scheme, grant or benefit
Find out if you're eligible for energy help schemes or benefits using our interactive tool.
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Warm Home Discount scheme 2022/23 - Uswitch
Discover all you need to know about the government-funded Warm Home Discount scheme - a guide to help eligible homes save money on their energy bills in 2022 and 2023.
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Power cuts: what to expect and how to handle them
Power cuts and blackouts are never enjoyable, whether they're expected or unexpected. Find out how to handle them here.
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Priority Services Register - energy-related services for vulnerable customers
Vulnerable energy customers such as the elderly and disabled can register for special services from their energy supplier - here's how.
Learn moreEnergy meters
Get to grips with the different types of gas and electricity meter here.
What is an Economy 7 meter? | Understanding Economy 7
Do you have an Economy 7 meter? Find out everything you need to know about Economy 7 meters and tariffs, including how to tell whether you have an Economy 7 meter, how Economy 7 tariffs work and how to get the best energy deal for you.
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What is Economy 10? A complete guide to Economy 10 meters and tariffs
Economy 10 tariffs means you pay a cheaper rate for your electricity during the off-peak times of the day. See if Economy 10 is right for you and your home.
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How to change prepayment meter to a regular energy meter
Looking to switch from a prepayment meter to a credit meter? We explain who can switch and how you can get your prepayment meter replaced with a standard meter.
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How to read your gas meter | How to read your electricity meter
Record meter readings from a standard dial meter, digital meter or an Economy 7 gas and electricity meters in this Uswitch guide to reading energy meters.
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Prepayment meters and pay as you go energy
Millions of households across the UK have prepayment or pay as you go energy meters. If yours is one of them, find out how prepayment meters work, the pros and cons and how to find a cheaper gas and electricity deal.
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White meters explained
Moved into a property with a white meter? Find out what a white meter is and how it works here.
Learn moreEnergy prices
Whether they're relatively stable or fairly volatile, energy prices are worth keeping an eye on. Find out more here.
Gas and electric costs | Understanding kWh
What is the gas and electricity cost per kwh in the UK? To understand what a kWh costs, you first need to know what the difference between a kWh and a kW is. Discover all you need to know about understanding electricity price per kWh.
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Heating oil - how to compare and switch heating oil
Find out everything you need to know about heating oil, including how heating your home with oil works and how to compare heating oil prices.
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Underfloor heating: the ultimate guide
Expert advice and all you need to know about underfloor heating systems including the different types of underfloor heating, the costs and the benefits.
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What is Ofgem's energy price cap 2022? - Uswitch
Information on the energy price cap set by Ofgem, including the frozen Energy Price Guarantee rate of £2,500, which came into effect in October 2022.
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Discover why 2022 energy price changes affect energy bills
Find out which suppliers have increased or decreased their energy prices and how that affects your energy bills in 2022.
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Fracking in the UK - what is it and is it dangerous?
Get the facts about fracking in the UK. Learn about the risks of UK fracking with our user guide which has the answers to all your fracking questions
Learn moreEnergy suppliers
Questions about your supplier? Find the answers here.
Big Six Energy Suppliers | Who are they?
Discover who are the Big Six energy suppliers in the UK and why are they important to households and homeowners domestic energy bills and energy tariffs.
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How to make a complaint about your energy supplier
Want to make a complaint about your energy supplier? Uswitch's guide to energy complaints explains what to do and when to contact the Energy Ombudsman.
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What happens if my energy supplier goes bust?
What happens if your energy supplier goes bust and out of business? In this rare scenario there are rules in place to protect energy consumers.
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How to contact your energy supplier
Finding your energy supplier's contact details can be tricky, especially if their website isn't easy to navigate. We've collated the contact details of energy suppliers so you can see what your options are.
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How to compare and switch UK electricity suppliers
Are you one of the households overpaying for your domestic household electricity? Compare electricity prices here and switch today saving you money on your energy bills in 2022.
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Fuel mix - Domestic energy suppliers' energy fuel mix
Discover how much of the electricity that you use is generated buy nuclear, renewable, coal or gas power stations.
Learn moreEnergy switching
Confused about the process of energy switching? See what's involved and what information you might need here.
Switching energy supplier for a cheaper deal | Uswitch
Looking for a cheaper gas or electricity supplier but not sure where to start? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to find a better energy supplier.
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Switching to a small energy supplier – is it safe to switch?
Smaller energy suppliers make up a significant part of the UK energy market. As more people leave the big six energy suppliers, should you also switch to a smaller energy provider? Our guide answers all your small supplier questions.
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Tenants’ guide to switching energy and electricity supplier
Discover if you can or cannot compare and switch energy providers without your landlord’s permission. More than three-quarters of UK renters are missing out of hundreds of pounds worth of energy savings by not comparing and switching their energy supplier.
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Switching your energy supplier - Your questions answered
Got questions about the energy switching process? Uswitch has the answers here to help you save hundreds of pounds in minutes.
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Claim energy bill credit when you switch energy suppliers
Discover if you have energy bill credit from your current gas and electricity supplier. Understand why your energy bill might be in credit and learn how to check if you are due an energy refund.
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Rejected energy switch issues and how to fix them
A rejected energy switch can sometimes occur even when it looks like everything's gone through correctly. Here's why this might happen and what you can do about it if it does.
Learn moreEnergy tariffs
Energy tariffs are the deals you might sign up to when you switch - see what they entail here.
Understanding energy tariffs | What are the different types of energy tariff?
Do you wonder why there are so many different energy tariffs for domestic gas and electricity? In our guide to energy tariffs, we'll explain how and why energy suppliers offer different energy and pricing. You can then compare the different tariffs and decide what is the best type for you.
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Standard variable rate tariffs - a Uswitch guide
What makes an energy plan a 'standard variable rate' or 'standard rate'? Find out why this one of the most expensive domestic energy plans to be on.
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Is it time to change tariff? Why you should switch when your energy tariff ends
Knowing when your energy tariff is ending will help you save - don't get rolled onto a more expensive energy tariff when your energy plan ends.
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How do fixed price energy tariffs work?
Fixed price energy tariffs or fixed rate plans are a popular type of gas and electricity tariff. Our guide explains how they work, why they're so popular and how they could help protect your energy bills from rising unexpectedly.
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Discover how a fixed rate energy plan can save you money
Expert advice in our guide about fixed rate energy plans and if it’s the right tariff for you and your home. Read about the benefits and costs of going for a fixed rate.
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Tariff Comparison Rate — how to find and use an energy TCR
Tariff Comparison Rates help you work out if you're on the best energy plan, but is it still worth using them?
Learn moreSmart energy
Smart energy is the future - how can you get on board? Find out here.
Smart thermostats - how they work and how you can save
Smart thermostats let you control your home's temperature via a tablet, smartphone or desktop for greater control over your heating and your energy bills.
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The ultimate guide to smart thermostats
Discover all you need to know about getting a smart thermostat - find out how a new smart thermostat can reduce your energy usage and energy bills, and compare the most popular products in the market.
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Smart meters | What are they? How do they work?
Smart meters offer a free way to keep track of your energy usage and could mean the end of estimated bills and meter readings. Our comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about smart meters.
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When will my energy supplier install my smart meter?
All suppliers will have offered their customers smart meters for gas and electric by June 2025. Find out what the largest suppliers are currently doing and their progress towards the smart meter rollout.
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Benefits of a smart meter | Top 5 smart meter benefits
Many suppliers are encouraging their customers to make the move to smart meters in order to modernise the nation’s energy infrastructure. If you’re still unsure whether a smart meter is right for you, we’ve listed the top five benefits of smart meters in this guide.
Learn moreEnergy studies
Read our latest energy studies.
UK Boiler Statistics 2023 - Top Boiler Facts and Stats
We’ve collated the latest boiler statistics for 2023, covering the UK boiler market, boiler breakdown statistics, the future of home heating, and more.
Learn more104 energy saving tips for your home
With working from home the new normal and energy prices high, it's important to keep your bills as low as possible. The best ways to do that are in our guide featuring 104 energy-saving tips.
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Which appliances use the most energy?
With energy prices still high, there are limited options for both saving money and limiting your impact on the environment. Previously you’d have been able to switch to a better energy deal with one of the increasing number of green energy suppliers, but this is no longer the case.
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Green Council Report: Are county councils taking sustainable steps?
With the UK’s net zero emissions target date set for 2050, green energy comparison site Uswitch.com wanted to see if the UK’s county councils are doing their part to become better sustainable businesses.
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The cities with the most beautiful green spaces
Discover where in the world you can find the most beautiful parks and gardens to relax and unwind in
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The world’s most popular B Corp businesses
By analysing B Corp data, the green energy experts at Uswitch have revealed the most popular green brands on the planet and which country is home to the most B-Corps.
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