Switching your energy supplier

Increases in wholesale energy costs have meant that, since September 2021, fewer deals have been available on price comparison sites. It's a good idea to assess all your options before you switch.

What information do I need to switch energy supplier?

To change energy provider using Uswitch's Quick Checker, you only need your postcode and the name of your tariff. If you want to pay your energy bills by Direct Debit (which is usually the cheapest option), you’ll also need your bank details to hand. We’ll then use this information to tell you what your options are.

How to switch energy supplier online

Step 1: Enter your postcode at Uswitch.com

Gas and electricity prices are set regionally, and some suppliers only serve certain areas. Enter your postcode on the Uswitch website or in the box above, and we’ll narrow down which energy plans are available for you to switch to.

Step 2: Tell us your plan name

To tell you exactly how much you could save by switching energy suppliers, we’ll need to know which plan you're on with your current supplier. You can find your plan name on a recent bill or your annual energy statement.

If you have a bill but can’t find the info you need, check out our guide on how to read your energy bill or watch the video below.

Step 3: See what your options are

Finding the right supplier can seem impossible. We make it easy by displaying the plans we can help you switch to, ordered by cost or how much you could save by switching.

If you want to narrow down the results, you can filter by what’s important to you – whether you’re looking for a green energy plan, a long fix or one without an early exit fee.

Step 4: Confirm your energy switch

The final step in switching energy suppliers is to confirm your switch. To do this, you need to provide your full address and bank details so your new supplier can set up a Direct Debit.

That’s it! We’ll put your new and old supplier in contact with each other and they’ll arrange a switchover date.

Customer review "As I have registered with Uswitch I am kept informed if a new tariff comes along that is £50 or more cheaper than the one I am currently using. Uswitch told me about one and so I switched. I found it very easy. The database shows me all energy suppliers and how much it would cost based on my current usage, and then I simply select the one I want. I would choose Uswitch again as it saves me time searching for new rates."

Tom, Uswitch customer

When is the best time to switch energy supplier?

In a normal energy market, the best time to switch energy supplier would be when (or just before) you come onto a standard variable energy tariff so you can fix your deal at a lower price. However, given the lack of affordable deals on the market at the moment, it's difficult to say that there's a good time to switch.

You may be better off trying to save energy by managing your energy use around the home. Utrack, Uswitch's new mobile app, can help with that. Take a look below.

Tips for switching energy supplier

Save time when switching

Switching gas and electricity is a very quick process that can be done in minutes. However, to make things even quicker, gather all your key information before you start so it’s at hand when you need it. To get the most accurate savings figures, you’ll need to know how much energy you use and how much you’re paying for it. Both of these numbers should be on a recent bill.

Know your energy meters

Before you switch energy, there are a few things you’ll need to know about your home and the gas and electricity meters you already have in place. We’ll ask you whether you have a standard credit meter, prepayment meter or Economy 7 meter, as that will determine the type of energy tariff you can switch to.

You’ll know you’re on a standard credit meter if you pay for your energy by Direct Debit or regular billing, whereas prepayment meters need topping up with a key, token or app. If you’ve got an Economy 7 meter, you’ll see two different rates on your electricity bill – one for daytime use and one for evening use.

If you’re looking to switch energy supplier at a business premises, head to Uswitch for Business for guidance on switching energy suppliers in commercial properties.

Choose the right energy tariff

When you compare energy with Uswitch, we’ll show you both fixed and variable gas and electricity tariffs. Fixed energy tariffs guarantee the price you pay for each unit of energy for the whole of the fixed contract (usually 12-18 months) while variable tariffs can go up or down depending on what’s happening in the energy market.

We’ll also need to know whether you’d like a dual fuel tariff or whether you’d like to switch gas or electricity tariffs separately. If you use both gas and electricity in your home, it can often work out cheaper to get both fuels from the same supplier under a dual fuel tariff.

If you’re keen to switch to a renewable energy plan, look out for the green badge on your energy comparison results. Many energy tariffs now offer some level of renewable energy, so as well as saving money you can be sure you’re doing your bit to save the planet too. Under our unique Green Accreditation scheme we’ve categorised tariffs into Bronze, Silver and Gold levels depending on how renewable their energy is.

Consider customer reviews

When it comes to switching energy supplier, you’re probably hoping for a big saving. But while price is important, you’ll also want to make sure your new supplier offers great service. Our energy comparison includes independent star ratings based on real customer reviews, so you can get to know your new energy supplier before you switch.

Don’t dismiss small suppliers

While you’re comparing energy suppliers with Uswitch, you might come across some brand names you haven’t heard of. Many smaller suppliers offer competitive pricing and have great customer reviews, so be sure to consider them for your energy switch.

Avoid exit fees

If you’re currently on a fixed energy plan that hasn’t expired yet, your supplier may charge you an exit fee (usually around £60) if you want to switch. When you compare energy with Uswitch, we’ll let you know if there are any exit fees to pay on your current tariff. Exit fees are usually waived around 49 days before your plan ends, so if you’d rather wait until then, we’ll tell you when it’s time to switch energy without having to pay a fee to your supplier. If you’ve never switched energy before or it’s been a while, your plan has likely come to an end and you’re free to switch and save.

Set up a Direct Debit

When you compare standard energy plans with Uswitch, the price you’ll see is based on a monthly Direct Debit payment. While many energy suppliers will offer you the choice to pay in other ways, such as by cheque, you’ll usually be offered a discount for paying by Direct Debit, so as well as making payments easier, your energy bills could be smaller too if you choose to pay this way.

How do I switch energy suppliers if I’m moving home?

When you’re moving house, gas and electricity bills might be low on your list of priorities. But it’s handy to know how to switch energy supplier if you want to ensure you’re not paying too much to power your new home.

You should notify your current energy supplier at least 48 hours before the move, so they can close your account and send your final bill to your new address. Make sure you take a meter reading on the day you move to ensure your last bill is accurate.

You’ll need to take another meter reading at your new home on the day you move in, then contact the supplier of the new property (read about how to find out who your supplier is). The supplier can transfer the account into your name, but remember it might not be the cheapest energy deal for you. Moving house is a great opportunity to save on your energy, so start by entering your new postcode on Uswitch. You can find out more about how to switch energy supplier when moving home in our guide.

What happens after I switch energy supplier?

Want to know what to expect when you switch? Here are a few common questions answered:

Will my energy supply be interrupted when I switch supplier?

No. Regardless of what supplier you’re with, your gas and electricity supply will be the same as before. All that changes is the company that bills you and the rate charged for your energy. There won’t be any interruption to your supply, and nobody will need to visit your home unless you’ve opted to have a smart meter installed as part of your new tariff.

FAQs