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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 standing charges | What are they?
What is a standing charge for gas and electricity? All energy tariffs offered have a daily standing charge. The charge will cover the fixed costs of supplying your home with both gas and electricity, you then pay your usage on top.
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Energy back billing errors - deal with an unexpected bill
Understand how to deal with energy supplier back billing. Discover your rights as a consumer and what you can do if you receive an unexpected energy bill.
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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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Save on your energy bills; pay by Direct Debit
Looking for different ways to save on your household energy bill? One of the cheapest ways to pay for your energy is by Direct Debit. But how does it work?
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Getting a refund from your energy supplier - Uswitch guide
Does your current or previous energy supplier owe you money? Find out how to get it back with Uswitch’s guide to energy refunds
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What to do if you're in debt to your energy supplier
Are you in energy debt? Find out what help is available if you owe money to your energy supplier and how to get out of energy debt.
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.
What is the Energy Company Obligation Scheme?
Could you benefit from the Energy Company Obligation Scheme? Find out what it is and if you are eligible for energy funding.
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Discover how the Winter Fuel Payment scheme can help the vulnerable
Expert advice and all you need to know about the government's Winter Fuel Payment and the benefits. Do you qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance and what are the cost savings and benefits?
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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.
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Support for energy customers with hearing loss
Many energy suppliers are taking steps to improve communication for customers with hearing impairments. Here’s how you can get help with your gas and electricity supply and easily manage your energy accounts if you’re affected by hearing loss.
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Ofgem – Discover the role of the energy market regulator
Find out how Ofgem works with both energy suppliers and consumers. Discover how the UK energy regulator helps ensure consumers get a fair deal on their energy.
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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.
Learn moreEnergy meters
Get to grips with the different types of gas and electricity meter here.
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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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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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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How to switch your prepayment energy plan
Think you can't switch to a better deal with a prepayment meter? Think again — Uswitch separates the myths from the facts for prepayment energy tariffs.
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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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How to move your gas or electricity meter
You might not know how to move your gas or electricity meter, but if you're having building work, you might need to learn. This guide will help.
Learn moreEnergy prices
Whether they're relatively stable or fairly volatile, energy prices are worth keeping an eye on. Find out more here.
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
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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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What is Ofgem's energy price cap 2022?
Information on the energy price cap set by Ofgem, including the latest price cap rate which came into effect in April 2022.
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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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Is your energy supplier overcharging you?
Discover how to check if you have been overcharged (or incorrectly charged) by your energy supplier for your energy consumption. Our guide explains how to check in five easy steps to ensure your gas and electricity supplier doesn't overcharge you in 2022.
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British Gas price changes in 2022
Find out how you are affected by British Gas price changes in 2022 and how to get a cheaper deal on your energy. Compare and switch energy suppliers today.
Learn moreEnergy suppliers
Questions about your supplier? Find the answers here.
Which energy suppliers are British-owned?
Wondering which suppliers are 'British made'? It might surprise you which of the big six have roots in the UK.
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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.
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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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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.
Learn moreEnergy switching
Confused about the process of energy switching? See what's involved and what information you might need here.
Energy Switch Guarantee: ensuring reliable, hassle-free switching
Switch your energy supplier with absolute confidence - Energy UK's Energy Switch Guarantee protects you and your home through its 10 commitments.
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Energy prices by region - The cost of electricity and gas
Did you know your postcode determines your energy bills? Find out which areas in the UK are the cheapest and the most expensive in terms of energy pricing.
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Moving house gas and electricity guide
Set up a new gas and electricity supply when you move to ensure you're on the best energy deal and discover how to inform your energy provider before moving home.
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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.
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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 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.
Learn moreEnergy tariffs
Energy tariffs are the deals you might sign up to when you switch - see what they entail here.
How does switching energy supplier affect my Feed-In tariff?
If you have solar panels and a Feed-In tariff, find out how you can switch energy suppliers.
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What are Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs)? A Uswitch guide
Find out what an Independent Gas Transporter is, how you can tell if you are on IGT gas and what you should be aware of if you are.
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Should I get a no standing charge tariff?
No standing charge energy tariffs look like attractive options, but are they the right option, even with the money they can save you?
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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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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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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.
Learn moreSmart energy
Smart energy is the future - how can you get on board? Find out here.
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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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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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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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.
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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.
Learn moreEnergy studies
Read our latest energy studies.
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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The countries most affected by global warming, based on natural disasters
Global warming has intensified natural disasters in recent years, including earthquakes, superstorms and wildfires. But which countries are most affected by these hazards? Uswitch investigates.
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Which European meals have the largest carbon footprint?
Food plays a major role in climate change, so we found which dishes were the worst culprits. Find out which meals in Europe have the largest carbon footprint.
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Eco Trends Report: Top trending eco hacks & products on TikTok
Discover TikTok’s top trending eco-friendly brands, products, and helpful hacks and reduce your impact on the environment from home.
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