How to Switch Energy Supplier

The insider's guide - written by people who actually work in the industry

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only. While we work in the energy industry and have researched Ofgem regulations, energy supply rules can change and individual circumstances vary.

Always:

Check your specific contract terms before switching
Verify current Ofgem rules at ofgem.gov.uk
Contact your supplier directly for your exact situation
Read all terms and conditions before signing up with a new supplier

We've done our best to ensure accuracy, but we're not providing legal or financial advice. Do your own research and make informed decisions.

TL;DR - It's easier than you think!

Find a better tariff (use our tracker)
Sign up online with new supplier (10 minutes max)
They do everything else
Switch completes in 5 working days
Save money

✓ Your power stays on (legally guaranteed)

✓ No engineer needed

✓ 14-day cooling off period - cancel free if you change your mind

✓ £30 automatic compensation if it takes longer than 5 days

If suppliers make this hard, that's their problem and their loss for making it difficult.

What You'll Need (The Bare Minimum)

Realistically, you need:

Your address (obviously)
Current supplier name (check a recent email if you forgot)
Bank details (if paying by Direct Debit - most people do, but not required)

That's genuinely it for most switches.

Helpful But Not Always Required:

Meter readings (supplier will estimate if you don't have them, but better to provide)
MPAN number (electricity - 13 digits on your bill, starts with something like "10 012...")
MPRN number (gas - 6-10 digits, usually starts with "G...")
Current tariff name (nice to know but not required)

Don't stress about finding these. Modern switching systems can work without them - your new supplier will sort it. Having them just speeds things up slightly.

Step-by-Step: How to Switch

Step 1: Find a Better Tariff

Use our tariff tracker - zero commission bias, updated weekly.

💡 Insider tip: Don't just look at monthly cost - check unit rates (p/kWh) and standing charges (p/day). These matter more than the estimated bill.

Step 2: Check for Exit Fees (If You Care)

If you're on a fixed tariff, you might have exit fees.

Quick check:

Log into your supplier account
Look for "contract end date"
Check for "exit fees" or "early termination charges"

Insider reality:

Most exit fees are £30-60 per fuel (£60-120 for dual fuel)
If savings beat exit fees within 6 months, switch anyway
No exit fees within 49 days of contract end - Ofgem rule
No contract end date? You're on rolling contract - zero exit fees
Honestly, if you're saving £200+/year, pay the exit fee and move on

Example:
Exit fee: £60
New tariff saves: £20/month
Break even: 3 months
After 3 months: pure £20/month savings = £240/year profit

Step 3: Check If You Have Debt

⚠️ IMPORTANT - Debt Blocking Rules

You CANNOT switch if:

You've owed money to your current supplier for more than 28 days
You need to settle the debt first before you can switch

You CAN switch if:

You've been in debt for less than 28 days - the debt will be added to your final bill
You have a prepayment meter and owe up to £500 per fuel (max £1,000 total for gas + electric)

Not sure if you owe money? Log into your supplier account and check your balance. In credit = green light to switch. In debit = check how long you've owed for.

Step 4: Sign Up With New Supplier

Go to their website, click "Switch to us", fill in a form.

They'll ask for:

Your address
Current supplier name
Meter readings (if you have them)
MPAN/MPRN (if you have them - if not, they'll find them)
Payment method (Direct Debit, prepayment, or monthly payment card)
Preferred switch date (or just click "ASAP")

Takes 10 minutes. Then you're done.

💡 Red flag: If their signup process is painful or confusing, find a different supplier. It's 2026 - easy onboarding = good customer service. Complicated onboarding = run away.

Step 5: They Do Everything Else

Seriously - you're done. Your new supplier:

Contacts your old supplier
Arranges the switch via industry systems
Tells you when it's happening
Handles all the admin

Your job: Literally nothing. Wait for emails.

You'll get:

Confirmation email immediately
14-day cooling off period (change your mind free, no penalty, no questions asked)
Switch completion notification after ~5 working days

⚠️ Don't cancel your old Direct Debit yet

Wait until you've received and paid your final bill from your old supplier. Cancelling too early can cause billing issues.

Step 6: Switch Completes (5 Working Days)

As of 2022, Ofgem rules state switches must complete within 5 working days (used to be 21 days).

What happens:

Your power stays on throughout (legally required - cannot go off)
No engineer visit needed
No interruption to supply
Old supplier sends final bill (within 6 weeks)
New supplier starts billing you from switch date

✓ Automatic £30 compensation if delayed

From April 2024, if your new supplier takes longer than 5 working days to complete the switch, they must pay you £30 compensation automatically. You don't have to do anything - it goes into your account or comes as a cheque.

💡 Insider tip: Take meter readings on switch completion date and submit to BOTH suppliers. This prevents billing disputes and estimated bills.

Step 7: Settle Up & Done

Old supplier sends final bill (within 6 weeks)
Pay any balance owed, or get refund if in credit (within 10 working days by law)
Cancel old Direct Debit once final bill is settled
Job done

Total effort on your part: 10 minutes signup + 2 minutes taking readings.

If suppliers make this harder than that, that's their problem for losing customers to competitors who make it easy.

Common Myths Debunked

❌

"Sounds complicated"

It's not. You fill in one form, they do everything else. If it feels complicated, you're overthinking it or the supplier has terrible UX.

❌

"Will my power go off during the switch?"

No. Illegal. Cannot happen. Supply continuity is guaranteed by law. Your electricity and gas stay on throughout.

✅

"What if I pick the wrong supplier?"

14-day cooling off period - cancel free if you change your mind. After that? Just switch again. No limit on how often you can switch.

❌

"Do I need an engineer to visit?"

No. Everything is done remotely via industry systems. No one needs to visit your property.

⚠️

"Will my smart meter stop working?"

Older SMETS1 meters (installed before 2018) might lose smart functionality when you switch. They still work as normal meters - you just have to submit readings manually. Newer SMETS2 meters (2018+) stay smart after switching.

❌

"Do I have to use Direct Debit?"

No. Most people do because it's easiest and usually cheapest, but you can pay by:

Prepayment meter (top-up as you go)
Monthly payment card
Bank transfer (some suppliers)

❌

"Can I switch if I owe money?"

It depends:

Debt less than 28 days old? Yes - added to final bill
Debt more than 28 days old? No - settle it first
Prepayment meter with debt under £500 per fuel? Yes

⚠️

"Will I lose my payment plan?"

Yes. Payment plans (for debt repayment) don't transfer to new suppliers. Discuss with your new supplier before switching if you're on one.

Insider Tips They Don't Tell You

1. Switch Mid-Contract If Savings Justify It

Don't wait for your fixed tariff to end if a cheaper deal exists now. Do the math:

Simple calculation:
Savings per month × 6 months > Exit fee? Switch immediately.

Example:
Exit fee: £60
New tariff saves: £20/month
Break even: 3 months
After 3 months: pure savings

2. NEVER Auto-Renew a Fixed Tariff

When your fixed tariff ends, suppliers automatically roll you onto their Standard Variable Tariff (default rate). This is usually £200-300/year more expensive than switching to a new fixed deal.

Set a calendar reminder 6-7 weeks before your contract ends and shop around for new deals.

💡 We've got you covered: Our newsletter will remind you when it's time to switch. And we're building auto-switching so we can handle the whole process for you - no more calendar reminders needed.

3. Use the 14-Day Cooling Off as a Test Drive

Not sure about a supplier? Switch anyway, test their customer service for 2 weeks, cancel free if it's terrible. Zero risk.

4. Don't Switch for Tiny Savings

Switching for £5-10/year savings isn't worth the admin. Minimum £50/year savings is a good rule of thumb.

But if you're on an expensive default tariff overpaying £200+/year? Switch immediately.

5. Submit Meter Readings on Switch Date

Take readings the day your switch completes and submit to BOTH old and new suppliers. This prevents:

Estimated bills from old supplier (usually overestimate to get more money)
Disputes about who owes what
Delays to your final bill/refund

6. Don't Overthink It

Paralysis by analysis is costing you money. Pick a cheaper tariff, switch, move on with your life. You can always switch again later if something better comes up.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Switch Delayed Beyond 5 Days

Contact your new supplier - they're responsible. You're entitled to automatic £30 compensation from April 2024.

Being Charged by Both Suppliers

Take meter readings immediately and contact both suppliers with the readings. One has billed incorrectly - usually resolved within a few days.

Smart Meter Stopped Working

If you had a SMETS1 (pre-2018) meter, this is normal when switching. You can:

Continue using it as a normal meter (submit manual readings monthly)
Request a SMETS2 upgrade from new supplier (usually free)

Switched By Mistake (Erroneous Transfer)

If you were switched to a new supplier without your permission, contact them immediately. Ofgem rules require them to switch you back at no cost. This is rare but does happen.

Genuinely Unhappy With New Supplier

Within 14 days: Use cooling off period - cancel free, no questions asked
After 14 days: Just switch again (no limit on how often)
Serious complaint unresolved: Contact Energy Ombudsman (free service)

How Often Should You Switch?

Bare minimum: Every time your fixed tariff ends (usually 12-24 months)

Optimal: Check every 3-6 months, switch if you find savings of £50+/year

Why switch regularly?

Price cap changes quarterly (Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1)
New fixed deals launch constantly
Default tariffs are always expensive
Loyalty penalty is real - suppliers reward switchers, punish loyal customers

⚠️ Reality Check

65% of UK households are on expensive default tariffs because they don't switch regularly. Don't be in that 65%.

The average household overpays £200-300/year by not switching. That's £2,000-3,000 over 10 years.

Quick Reference: Timeline

Day	What Happens
Day 0	You sign up with new supplier
Day 0-14	Cooling off period (can cancel free)
Day 1-2	New supplier registers switch with industry
Day 3-5	Old supplier confirms details, switch completes
Day 5	Switch should be complete (£30 compensation if delayed)
Day 5+	New supplier takes over, old supplier sends final bill (within 6 weeks)
Within 10 working days	Old supplier must refund any credit balance

Checklist: Before You Switch

Print this or screenshot it:

Found cheaper tariff (minimum £50/year saving)
Checked contract end date and exit fees
Calculated if exit fees are worth paying
Verified I don't have debt older than 28 days (or prepay debt over £500/fuel)
Got current meter readings ready
Found MPAN/MPRN numbers (if possible)
Have bank details ready for Direct Debit
Set calendar reminder to take meter readings on switch date
Set calendar reminder to check tariffs again in 6 months
Ready to use 14-day cooling off if needed

Still Have Questions?

Common Questions We Didn't Cover:

Can I switch if I rent?

Yes, if you're responsible for the bills (your name on the account). If bills are included in rent, you can't. Ofgem rules override any rental contract clause saying you can't switch.

Can I switch if I have a prepayment meter?

Yes, but fewer tariffs are available. Some suppliers will let you switch to a credit meter (Direct Debit) as part of the switch. If you owe up to £500 per fuel, you can still switch.

Can I switch if I have solar panels?

Yes, but make sure your new supplier offers export payments (SEG - Smart Export Guarantee). Not all suppliers offer this, so check before switching.

What if I'm moving house?

Don't switch - instead, choose your supplier when you move in. Moving house counts as a new connection, not a switch. You can pick any supplier from day one.

Can I switch gas and electricity to different suppliers?

Yes, but "dual fuel" deals (same supplier for both) are usually slightly cheaper and simpler to manage. Only split if you find significantly better deals separately.

What if I have Economy 7 or Economy 10?

Make sure your new supplier supports your meter type. Most do, but verify before switching to avoid losing your off-peak rates.

The Bottom Line

Switching is:

✅ Simple (10 minutes of admin)
✅ Safe (power stays on, legally guaranteed)
✅ Free (if no exit fees, or fees worth paying)
✅ Fast (5 working days max, £30 compensation if delayed)
✅ Risk-free (14-day cooling off period)

⚠️ Not switching is:

❌ Costing you £200-300/year on average
❌ Funding suppliers' profits from customer inertia
❌ Keeping you on expensive default tariffs
❌ Making you poorer every single month

The energy industry relies on you thinking switching is complicated. It's not. They just want you to believe it is.

14-day cooling off period = zero risk. Try a new supplier, hate them? Cancel free.

Ready to Switch?

Check our tariff tracker for the best deals, updated weekly.

Found This Guide Helpful?

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Industry insiders sharing what suppliers don't always tell you.

Questions?

Got questions or want to discuss switching strategies?

📧 Email us: crew@switch-pilot.com

We're industry insiders building SwitchPilot to cut through the bullshit.

Final Research Reminder

We've researched Ofgem regulations extensively, but energy rules can change. Always verify current rules at ofgem.gov.uk before making decisions.

Key sources we used:

Last verified: January 2026

Last updated: January 2026

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