Frequently asked questions

Why are you asking for this information?

What information do you collect?

The information we collect on this page and subsequent pages is used to work out how you use gas & electricity in your home. We keep the process as simple and relevant as possible, only asking for information that will help find you the best deals.

Why do you want to know?

The cost of certain plans depends on factors such as how much gas & electricity you use, when you use it and how you pay the bill. By looking at your current deal, we can provide an accurate comparison of how much money you could save by switching.

Basically, we are only asking questions essential for helping get you get the best deal. There is no hidden agenda. It's all about finding out what you want and delivering tailor-made results.

Will you keep my information?

Your information is only stored if you continue through the steps and confirm or save your application. Our application pages are protected by encryption, which protects all the details you give on our secure pages. In accordance to Data Protection guidance we only hold information for as long as necessary.

Why do you want my email address?

We ask for your email address so that we can email you a copy of your comparison results when we've found the best deal for you.

Why do you want my phone number?

We ask for your phone number so if you aren't able to complete your switch, we'll give you a call to see if we can help.

Do I have Economy 7?

You have Economy 7 if:

• you pay two different rates for your electricity,
• your meter has two sets of dials on it (marked 'high' and 'low' or 'day' and 'night'),
• your Meter Point Access Number (MPAN) starts with '02'.

We need to know this so we can show you relevant tariffs.

If you want to:

• switch from an Economy 7 meter to a normal meter,
• switch to an Economy 7 meter from a normal meter,

you'll need to contact your energy supplier directly.

What is Economy 7?

Economy 7 customers are charged different rates depending on the time of day they use electricity.

Electricity is charged at a lower rate, per unit, when used at night. But, before you get too excited about the fact that you take your showers after work, night actually means the middle of the night. Although, the time differs for each supplier, the low rate generally kicks in between 1am and 8am.

Maybe I should switch to Economy 7?

You need to use about 20% of your energy consumption at night to make a saving. Economy 7 may be the most cost effective option for you, or you may discover you can save money simply by switching suppliers. Please note you need to have an Economy 7 meter to switch to Economy 7.

Can I compare Economy 7 prices on Uswitch.com?

If you are already an Economy 7 customer, you can switch to a new Economy 7 plan using Uswitch.com. But, if you want to switch away from a standard meter to Economy 7, you will have to arrange a new meter with your current supplier first.

I can't see my supplier listed

If you can't see your supplier make sure you click the 'more suppliers' button to see all suppliers available. Suppliers also sometimes change names or are bought by other companies. If you could not see your current supplier in the list, please check the table below to see if your supplier has changed name.

Gas suppliers

If you could not find your gas supplier in the table you can ring the Transco Meter Helpline on 0870 608 1524.

Electricity suppliers

You can find out who your electricity supplier is by ringing your local electricity distribution company. You should ask for their Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS).

Why do you want to know about my property?

We are trying to find out how you use energy in your house. All the information we ask for is in pursuit of finding you the best deal.

What difference does it make how often I cook?

Finding the best gas and/or electricity plans depends on how much of it you actually use. By asking how your oven is powered and how often you cook, we can estimate how much gas and/or electricity you use. The same goes for heating. If we get a sense of your gas and/or electricity habits, we can work out the best plan for you.

Why does it matter about the number of bedrooms and people?

This information will give us an idea about the size of your home, and the number of people who are using the gas and/or electricity supply. We then use our calculator to accurately assess your requirements.

By asking you for this information we can also make sure we include any discounts for which you may be eligible.

So, it's just to help me?

Yes. We are not just wasting your time finding out irrelevant information. It's all to calculate a plan to suit your needs and save you money.

How do I find out my costs?

Why do you want to know?

We are asking you the cost of your bills because in the last step you told us you pay by a quarterly bill, a monthly fixed deposit or an annual amount.

We want to know this amount so that we can get an accurate idea of how much gas and/or electricity you use. We have a sophisticated calculator that works out your consumption or costs based on your costs. Then it works out if you could get a better deal based on another plan. The results will then be able to tell you how much money you could save by switching plans.

OK, so how do I find out my costs?

The easiest way is to look at your bill. Most suppliers send quarterly bills through the post. The total should be highlighted as well as the period it covers.

If you pay by monthly fixed Direct Debit, your bank statement will show the amount you pay each month.

Can you work out my costs for me?

Yes, we can. In the first step, you can select 'No details handy'. We will figure out your consumption by asking you a few questions about how you use your gas and/or electricity – like, how do often you cook - and then we estimate it for you.

Search options explained

By selecting 'Yes' you will only see results that you can switch to with the help of Uswitch.com, this may exclude some supplier plans.

Uswitch.com receives some money from these suppliers, but these commercial relationships have no bearing on the ranking of suppliers in your results. The savings you see will not be affected either.

By selecting 'No' to the question, you will see plans you have to switch to directly with the supplier, as well as the plans Uswitch can help you switch to.

We are working towards being able to help you switch to all gas & electricity suppliers on our site, but we are not quite there yet.

Other benefits

By signing up through Uswitch.com, we keep the switching process as simple as possible. There's no having to wait in a supplier's call centre queuing system or having to repeat information you have already given us.

If I switch, what do I do about my current supplier?

Will I need to contact my new supplier?

No. We will send you an email as soon as you have filled out your details online and confirmed your switch. Your new supplier will then be in touch with you within 7 - 14 days. They will let your old supplier know that you are switching.

How can I be sure I am not billed twice?

Your new supplier will only start charging you from the switch date. You can rest assured you will not pay twice for the same thing. But, after your final payment, you should contact your bank and cancel any Direct Debits or standing orders you have set up to pay your old supplier.

Am I in a contract with my current supplier?

Normally, an energy contract lasts for 28 days. It's a rolling contract that you can cancel at any point (be aware of early exit fees). Your new supplier will let your old supplier know they are taking over your supply. You will receive a final bill from your old supplier up until the date of the switch.

Will I be charged an early exit fee?

Even if your current plan carries an early exit fee, per Ofgem regulation, this fee is waived if you switch within the 6-7 weeks leading up to the plan's end date.

Ofgem requires suppliers to allow this amount of time for a customer to find and switch to a new plan before their fixed plan ends.

If you're unsure if your plan has an early exit fee, or don't know if you're currently in the fee-free switch window, call us on 0800 6888 244 for help.

Will I get cut off?

No. You will not notice any changes to your supply. The only difference is your bills will be coming from someone else.

Is your calculated saving accurate?

Are the prices accurate?

Your results have been determined with prices supplied directly by gas & electricity suppliers. We monitor all suppliers continually to ensure our results are comprehensive and accurate.

But, what's it based on?

The price saving is based on the information you have given us about your current supplier and consumption. We use your consumption to match the way you use gas and/or electricity with suitable plans.

Why should I trust you?

Uswitch.com is committed to helping customers find the best value deal for them. Using our service guarantees:

• Impartiality - No gas or electricity supplier has a share in Uswitch.com and our results are ranked to show the best supplier for you, not us
• Comprehensive results - We include details of all the licensed suppliers available to ensure you get the full picture
• Accurate, up to date information - We continually monitor all suppliers to make sure only the latest prices are shown

Switch with confidence

Help every step of the way

Uswitch.com's priority is delivering the best customer experience we can. How do we achieve this?

• If you're new to switching we have a comprehensive library of articles, which can inform and help your switching decision. We recommend you start with the section Why switch?
• We keep our switching process as simple as we can. The questions we ask are to help us deliver accurate results, which match your needs. And when you switch, we only ask for the information the supplier requires to switch you as quickly as possible
• We've already thought of the questions you may have and included them at each step. So if you need some guidance, it's just a click away

Accurate impartial results

Our commercial relationships have no bearing on the ranking of suppliers in your results. To ensure you get the whole picture when you make your comparison, we provide information from all the suppliers available through our service.

The rates we use to calculate your results are provided directly by suppliers. We monitor all suppliers continually and update to ensure our results are comprehensive and accurate.

Ofgem

On 19th December 2006 Uswitch.com was awarded full accreditation to the new Ofgem Confidence Code. As the UK's leading energy price comparison and switching website and one of the longest standing signatories to the Ofgem code, Uswitch has been a primary contributor to bringing pricing transparency to the industry. We are delighted to be a part of this new, more robust, Confidence Code and support any initiative that results in increased impartiality, accuracy and greater consumer confidence.

More information on the Confidence Code is available here or you can visit the Ofgem website at www.consumerfocus.org.uk.

Why do people use Uswitch.com?

People use Uswitch.com because we help them make the best decision for them. We don't mind who you switch to, we just care that you switch to the best supplier for you. Switching suppliers saves our customers hundreds of pounds on their bills and is easy to do.

For example, from 10 February 2007 to 28 February 2007 at least 12% of our customers who switched gas and electricity suppliers through our service saved £325 a year. And from 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006 at least 20% of our customers who switched their home phone provider saved £140 a year.

We're always here to help

Our website has a comprehensive help section to answer any questions you have about switching. If you would prefer to have a helping hand through your switch our customer service team are here to help. And once you've switched, we don't switch off. We can liaise with the suppliers to ensure your switch is as smooth as possible.

Our team are just a phone call or email away:
Phone: freephone 0800 6888 244 or email CustomerServices@uswitch.com

How our gas and electricity calculator works

About our energy calculator

The energy calculator calculates the running cost of each tariff, using information provided by the user when they answer questions such as "Current Supplier" and "Consumption details" and employing some basic assumptions. The calculator then checks through all the tariffs available and calculates the money that can be saved by switching to each one from the current supplier.

Assumptions made

In order to build a calculator that applies to everyone and to ensure we do not require users to answer pages and pages of questions, we have to make certain assumptions which are outlined below. Please note the assumptions are applied across all suppliers and tariffs.

Using consumption details

For customers that choose to enter their "consumption details" from their last quarterly bill, our method of annualising this consumption takes into account the time of the year in which the bill was received. This is because quarterly bills will vary depending on which time of the year the bill is produced. So for example a summer bill will generally be cheaper than a winter bill mainly because less energy is needed to heat the home during this time of the year. All of this is taken into consideration when calculating a customer's annual spend.

Creating an estimate based on property type

For customers that have no "consumption details" to hand, we ask a series of questions regarding their household such as the type of property, the number of bedrooms, the quality of insulation etc. The customer's responses for each of these questions provide Uswitch with a profile that enables us to estimate their annual consumption.

How the calculations work

The calculator looks at several variables when calculating the bill sizes for each tariff on the results table. It then works out how much the customer could save by switching from their current supplier to each tariff (assuming they use the same amount of gas and electricity).

Variables

• Standing Charge (some suppliers charge a fixed daily charge, regardless of how much you use)
• Unit Rates (these are the costs of using one unit or kilowatt-hour of gas or electricity)
• Consumption thresholds (some suppliers charge a different, often lower, unit rate once a customer's gas or electricity consumption has passed a certain threshold)

Discounts

We only include discounts that are received year on year in our calculations. Introductory or one off discounts are not included, nor are charges that may be received if a plan is cancelled or altered. Contributions made to charity are also not included in the calculated annual bill.

Discounts we include:

• Dual fuel discounts
• Direct Debit discounts
• Paperless billing discount
• Online discount - offered to customers who either sign online or manage their account online

Factors affecting the tariffs and suppliers shown

Users can opt to filter out or include tariffs based on the features and preferences they require. If a user for example opts to see only tariffs with no standing charge we will filter out all tariffs that do not offer this facility.

Historic plans

Uswitch.com includes plans that a customer may currently be signed up to in our database of suppliers and tariffs. These include fixed price or capped plans that a supplier previously offered, but has now withdrawn from the market.

Any plans that have been withdrawn are included so the customer can make the most accurate comparison with energy plans available. As they are not available to new customers, they will not be included in our results.

The comparison calculator

The comparison calculator was developed to help you take advantage of the best plans and services from all licensed energy suppliers. When you run a comparison on Uswitch.com, the calculator evaluates a number of factors including your location, your energy consumption, your payment method and the amount you are currently paying to advise you on the best prices and deals to suit your needs.

How the calculator works

The comparison is performed using a simple formula which multiplies your domestic gas and electricity usage by the unit rates of all the licensed energy suppliers available to you, applying standing charges and discounts where applicable.

If you don't know your energy consumption, Uswitch can estimate your usage by asking questions about how you use gas and electricity in your home. We only ask questions that are essential to helping you get the best deals. By profiling your current deal, we can provide a thorough comparison, including details such as how much money you could save by switching.

It's all about finding out what you need and delivering tailor-made results in a table which can be ordered by price, customer service levels or green energy, depending on your priorities.

Estimating your energy usage

Don't worry if you don't have any details to hand about how much energy you use - Uswitch can still help you to get a better deal.

We will ask you a few questions about your home and lifestyle, so we can provide a good estimate of how much energy you use.

It's important to remember that the results you see are based on this estimate. You may use more or less energy than our estimate, so remember to send regular meter readings to your new supplier.

Will I need to contact my current supplier?

No. Once you’ve confirmed your switch, we will notify your new supplier, who will in turn notify your old supplier. The two suppliers will work out a switchover date, and inform you of the date so that you can take a meter reading.

Will I need to contact my new supplier?

No. We will send you an email as soon as you have entered your details and confirmed your switch at step 5. Your new supplier will then be in touch within 7 - 14 days. They will let your old supplier know that you are switching.

Will I be charged an early exit fee?

Even if your current plan carries an early exit fee, per Ofgem regulation, this fee is waived if you switch within the 6-7 weeks leading up to the plan's end date.

Ofgem requires suppliers to allow this amount of time for a customer to find and switch to a new plan before their fixed plan ends.

If you're unsure if your plan has an early exit fee, or don't know if you're currently in the fee-free switch window, call us on 0800 6888 244 for help.

Do I have to cancel my direct debits?

Just to make sure you are not charged incorrectly we advise you call your bank and cancel your direct debit to your old supplier after the final payment is taken.

Where can I get independent advice about energy efficiency?

Uswitch offer several articles containing independent and easy to understand energy saving tips and advice for around the home. You can access our Energy advice. There are also several other independent resources, such as Energy Saving Trust, Government Energy Grants Calculator and Citizens Advice , which each offer consumer energy related information and advice including available grants and handling supplier complaints.

Is your calculated saving accurate?

Are the prices accurate?

Your results have been determined with prices supplied directly by gas & electricity suppliers. We monitor all suppliers continually to ensure our results are comprehensive and accurate.

But, what's it based on?

The price saving is based on the information you have given us about your current supplier and consumption. We use your consumption to match the way you use gas and/or electricity with suitable plans.

Why should I trust you?

Uswitch.com is committed to helping customers find the best value deal for them. Using our service guarantees

• Impartiality - No gas or electricity supplier has a share in Uswitch.com and our results are ranked to show the best supplier for you, not us
• Comprehensive results - We include details of all the licensed suppliers available to ensure you get the full picture
• Accurate, up to date information - We continually monitor all suppliers to make sure only the latest prices are shown

Why are some plans marked as unavailable on Uswitch?

Sometimes we cannot switch you directly to a plan on our website because:

A plan may be unavailable to you due to your current circumstances e.g. you are currently receiving your gas and / or electricity from the supplier or we do not have a commercial relationship with the supplier.

I still want the plan you can't offer me

If you want to sign up to a supplier that is not available through Uswitch.com, you will have to contact the supplier directly to switch.

How does Uswitch make money?

Uswitch has commercial arrangements in place with some suppliers across all our services, including energy. We charge suppliers a fee when we switch customers to them, which means we can provide consumers with a free service.

Our commercial arrangements help us make the switching process as simple as possible for our customers and, in some cases, allow us to negotiate exclusive deals that aren't available anywhere else — including directly from the supplier.

Regardless of commercial relationships, we are accredited under Ofgem's Confidence Code, so your results are always displayed in price order; however, you can switch from seeing only plans Uswitch has a commercial arrangement with to also seeing plans that require switching through the supplier using the filter option.

Which suppliers have a commercial arrangement with Uswitch?

• Avro Energy
• Boost
• Bristol Energy
• British Gas
• Bulb
• Co-op Energy
• E.ON
• EDF Energy
• ENGIE
• ESB Energy
• Green Network Energy
• Green Star Energy
• iSupplyEnergy
• Lumo
• npower
• npower Select
• Octopus Energy
• OVO Energy
• Powershop
• Pure Planet
• ScottishPower
• Shell Energy
• So Energy
• Spark Energy
• SSE
• SSE Scottish Hydro
• SSE Southern Electric
• SSE SWALEC
• Tonik Energy

How our gas and electricity calculator works

About our energy calculator

The energy calculator calculates the running cost of each tariff, using information provided by the user when they answer questions such as "Current Supplier" and "Consumption details" and employing some basic assumptions. The calculator then checks through all the tariffs available and calculates the money that can be saved by switching to each one from the current supplier.

Assumptions made

In order to build a calculator that applies to everyone and to ensure we do not require users to answer pages and pages of questions, we have to make certain assumptions which are outlined below. Please note the assumptions are applied across all suppliers and tariffs.

Using consumption details

For customers that choose to enter their "consumption details" from their last quarterly bill, our method of annualising this consumption takes into account the time of the year in which the bill was received. This is because quarterly bills will vary depending on which time of the year the bill is produced. So for example a summer bill will generally be cheaper than a winter bill mainly because less energy is needed to heat the home during this time of the year. All of this is taken into consideration when calculating a customer's annual spend.

Creating an estimate based on property type

For customers that have no "consumption details" to hand, we ask a series of questions regarding their household such as the type of property, the number of bedrooms, the quality of insulation etc. The customer's responses for each of these questions provide Uswitch with a profile that enables us to estimate their annual consumption.

How the calculations work

The calculator looks at several variables when calculating the bill sizes for each tariff on the results table. It then works out how much the customer could save by switching from their current supplier to each tariff (assuming they use the same amount of gas and electricity).

Variables

• Standing Charge (some suppliers charge a fixed daily charge, regardless of how much you use)
• Unit Rates (these are the costs of using one unit or kilowatt-hour of gas or electricity)
• Consumption thresholds (some suppliers charge a different, often lower, unit rate once a customer's gas or electricity consumption has passed a certain threshold)

Discounts

We only include discounts that are received year on year in our calculations. Introductory or one off discounts are not included, nor are charges that may be received if a plan is cancelled or altered. Contributions made to charity are also not included in the calculated annual bill.

Discounts we include:

• Dual fuel discounts
• Direct Debit discounts
• Paperless billing discount
• Online discount - offered to customers who either sign online or manage their account online

Factors affecting the tariffs and suppliers shown

Users can opt to filter out or include tariffs based on the features and preferences they require. If a user for example opts to see only tariffs with no standing charge we will filter out all tariffs that do not offer this facility.

Historic plans

Uswitch.com includes plans that a customer may currently be signed up to in our database of suppliers and tariffs. These include fixed price or capped plans that a supplier previously offered, but has now withdrawn from the market.

Any plans that have been withdrawn are included so the customer can make the most accurate comparison with energy plans available. As they are not available to new customers, they will not be included in our results.

Gas and electricity price changes

Keep up to date with the latest gas and electricity prices rises and decreases with Uswitch. See which energy suppliers have made gas and electricity prices rises and decreases, how much prices went up or down by and when the price change will come into effect. And don't forget, whether gas and electricity prices are rising or falling, it's always a good idea to do a comparison. When you switch your energy supplier with Uswitch you could save up to £482. We update our site with new prices promptly, so you can be sure that you're getting accurate results when you do a comparison.

The table below shows which of the big six energy suppliers recently changed their prices, when and by how much:

Supplier	Date effective	Avg price change (%)	Avg bill size*
	Jan 3 2014	3.9%	£1,237
	18 Jan 2014	3.7%	£1,240
	Jan 1 2014	6.0%	£1,265
	Jan 31 2014	5.3%	£1,284
	Mar 24 2014	4.2%	£1,259
	Feb 28 2014	7.8%	£1,299

Why do you need to know my personal details?

The information we collect

The information we collect on this page and subsequent pages is used only to process your switch and ensure your new gas and/or electricity plan is set up as quickly as possible. We keep our application process as simple and relevant as possible.

Where is my information sent?

Once you've completed your application and confirmed your order, we will pass your details to the supplier, so they can set up your account. If you do not confirm your order, no details are passed on.

Is my information safe?

Yes, our application pages are protected by the VeriSign encryption system, which protects all the details you give on our secure pages. We will not rent, trade or sell your data to others.

Want to know more?

To find out more, please read our privacy policy, which can be found on the bottom right hand side of this site.

Why should I register as a special needs customer?

What are special needs?

Some of you may have particular needs that need to be prioritised. Customers who have special needs include the elderly, disabled, chronically sick or those with impaired sight or hearing.

Why do you distinguish special needs' customers?

Special needs customers may rely on equipment that is powered by gas or, more commonly, electricity. For instance, ventilators, stair-lifts, bed hoists and kidney dialysis machines.

What special things do special needs' customers get?

If you register as a special needs' customer, your supplier will aim to meet your needs. They may, for example, give you advance warning if your service is going to be interrupted if that's what you need. Or, if you are over 60, you may get a cold weather rebate.

Here are some other features you may be entitled to:

• clearer bills
• a 24 hour helpline service
• free energy advice
• low energy light bulbs

You can check with your supplier to find out what they offer for special needs customers.

Why does the supplier want to know about my property?

Does it matter if I own the property?

Your new supplier wants this information to ensure they are talking to the right person about services and benefits. They will also need to cross check for credit risks. These will arise if a number of bad debtors have previously lived at your address. The supplier may then need to run a credit check on your account.

Why do you need to know how many years I have lived in my home?

Again, your new supplier will be able to use this information to assess whether any bad credit on your household's gas & electricity supply is from you or previous occupants.

Finding your gas meter number

Your MPRN is the unique identity number on the gas meter for your property. It will contain 10 numbers and can also be called the M number. You can find your number on your gas bill.

If you can't find it don't worry, just call the meter number helpline on 0870 608 1524.

Finding your electricity supply number

Your supply number is the unique identity number on the electricity meter for your property. It is sometimes referred to as the 'MPAN' or 'S' number. You can find it on your electricity bill and here is an example of what it should look like:

If you can't find the number on your bill, just give your current electricity supplier a call.

Do I need to contact my current supplier?

No. Your new supplier will take care of everything for you, including cancelling your existing supplier. They organise a switch date, which means you are not charged twice for the service. Just to make sure you are not charged incorrectly, cancel your Direct Debit to your old supplier, following the final payment.

How can I be sure I'm not billed twice?

Your new supplier will only start charging you from your switch date, so you should not be charged twice for the same thing. However, we recommend that you cancel any direct debits you have with your old supplier after your final payment.

When will I start paying my new supplier?

Your old supplier will send you a final bill for the period up until your switch date. On that day, your new supplier will take over. The actual date that you are charged by your new supplier will depend on their terms and conditions.

Do I need to cancel my existing supplier?

No. Your new supplier will take care of everything for you, including cancelling your existing supplier. They organise a switch date, which means you are not charged twice for the service. Just to make sure you are not charged incorrectly, cancel your Direct Debit to your old supplier, following the final payment.

Will I be cut off?

Don't worry; your supply will not be cut off at any stage of the switch. It should be seamless. The only changes will be your bills. They will be cheaper. Or greener.

How long will my switch take?

The majority of switches take around 3 weeks, including your cooling off period. Your new supplier will contact you with your exact switch date.

What if I've switched plans, but not supplier?

If you opted to switch to a new plan with your current supplier, you don't need to notify them. We will send you switch info to them and they will contact you about your switch date and any changes needed to your payment plan.

Who can switch to this deal?

This deal is not available to customers for prepayment, Economy 10, pay-on-receipt or gas-only customers. This deal is for a limited time only from 23rd April - 27th May 2015. This deal is exclusive to those with a Uswitch account.

What is a Uswitch account?

A Uswitch account provides several benefits. It allows us to save all the details you've just entered, so we can remind you when your fixed plan is ending and track the market for you to alert you to better deals.

Do I have to take the deal if I sign up?

Not at all. You're simply allowing us to include the plan with the rest of your results. You'll be able to see for yourself how this exclusive deal stacks up to all other deals available to you. There is no obligation to take the deal if you don't want to.

What if I change my mind?

If you change your mind and wish to cancel your switch, please contact Uswitch directly by calling 0800 049 9722

Why do you need my telephone number?

We may need to call you in case there are any hiccups with your switch. It doesn't happen often but better safe than sorry.

Changing your postcode

To change your postcode you will have to restart your switch. Are you sure you want to do this?

Yes, restart my switch

What are the different payment methods?

Pay on receipt of bill

Pay on receipt of bill means you are not charged until you receive your bill. It is also known as quarterly cash/cheque.

Monthly direct debit

Monthly direct debit is when an amount is deducted from your account each month, usually 1/12th of your expected annual energy usage.

Quarterly or variable direct debit

Quarterly or variable direct debit is sent out every three months and based on your energy use in the last quarter, with the amount then automatically taken from your bank account.

Prepayment meter

Prepayment meter is when you pay in advance for the energy you will use and top up your meter with a smart card, token, or key.

What's the cheapest way to pay?

The benefit of direct debit is that your payments will always be made on time, so you won't be penalised for late payments, plus you'll be able to monitor your spending.

To ensure your direct debits are accurate we recommend you regularly read your meter.

How long will my switch take?

About three weeks when switching to SSE or one of it's subsidiaries. This is in line with Ofgem's requirement of three-day switching (plus the the two-week cooling off period). Your new supplier will contact you with your exact switchover date.

Switching from a fixed plan

From all '' customers will move on to '', so running a comparison based on your old tariff details will give you an inaccurate savings figure.

To get an accurate quote select 'Yes' to continue with '' and make sure you have entered your usage details in kWh rather than £'s spent at step 2 of our switching journey.

If you have any questions about early exit fees for this plan just give our customer service team a call for free on 0800 6888 244.