Switching energy supplier is one of the highest-return, lowest-effort things you can do with 10 minutes. The average household on an expensive default tariff is overpaying by £200+ a year purely because they haven't switched - the exact figure varies with the price cap, but the gap between default and competitive rates is consistently substantial. The energy industry has spent decades making people think it's complicated. It isn't.
Here's the complete process - what you need, what happens, what can go wrong, and the insider tips suppliers don't advertise.
The short version: Find a cheaper tariff. Sign up online (10 minutes). Your new supplier handles everything else. Switch completes in 5 working days. Power stays on throughout. You get £30 automatic compensation if it takes longer.
What You Need to Switch
Modern switching systems need very little from you. The absolute minimum is:
- Your address
- Current supplier name (check a recent email if you've forgotten)
- Bank details if you want to pay by Direct Debit
That's genuinely it for most switches. Helpful but not always required:
- Meter readings - your new supplier will estimate if you don't have them, but readings avoid disputes
- MPAN number - the 13-digit electricity supply number on your bill
- MPRN number - the 6-10 digit gas supply number on your bill
- Current tariff name - useful to check exit fees, but not required to switch
Don't delay switching because you can't find your MPAN. Your new supplier will locate it via industry databases. It just speeds things up slightly if you have it.
Step-by-Step: How to Switch Energy Supplier
Find a better tariff
Use our tariff tracker to compare deals - zero commission bias, updated weekly. When comparing, look at unit rates (p/kWh) and standing charges (p/day) rather than just headline annual cost estimates, which assume average usage that may not match yours.
Check for exit fees
If you're on a fixed tariff, you may have early exit fees - typically £30-60 per fuel. Log into your supplier account, look for "contract end date" and "exit fees". The key Ofgem rule: no exit fees within 49 days of your contract end date. If you're on a rolling contract with no end date, there are zero exit fees.
Exit fee calculation example: Exit fee £60. New tariff saves £20 per month. Break-even: 3 months. After that: pure £240 annual saving. If the maths works within 6 months, switch anyway - don't let a one-off fee keep you on an expensive tariff indefinitely.
Check whether you have debt
Energy debt can block a switch. Log into your account and check your balance. The rules are:
Cannot switch: You've owed money for more than 28 days. Settle the debt first.
Can switch: Debt is less than 28 days old (added to your final bill) · Prepayment meter with debt up to £500 per fuel (£1,000 maximum total)
Sign up with your new supplier
Go to their website, click "switch to us" and fill in the form. They'll ask for your address, current supplier name, meter readings if you have them, and payment method. Takes 10 minutes. Then you're done with the admin.
Red flag: If the signup process is painful or confusing, find a different supplier. In 2026 this should be clean and simple. Complicated onboarding = a warning sign about their customer service.
Your new supplier does everything else
Seriously - you're done. Your new supplier contacts your old one, arranges the switch via industry systems, and notifies you when it's complete. You'll receive a confirmation email immediately, then a completion notification around 5 working days later. You have a 14-day cooling-off period - cancel free if you change your mind, no penalty, no questions asked.
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 causes billing disputes.
Switch completes (5 working days)
Since 2022, Ofgem requires switches to complete within 5 working days. Your power stays on throughout - supply continuity is legally guaranteed. No engineer visit, no interruption. Take meter readings on the switch completion date and submit to both suppliers to prevent billing disputes.
£30 automatic compensation: If your new supplier takes longer than 5 working days, you're entitled to £30 compensation automatically. You don't need to chase it - it must be paid into your account or sent as a cheque without you asking.
Settle your final bill and you're done
Your old supplier sends a final bill within 6 weeks. Pay any balance owed, or receive a refund if you're in credit - by law they must refund within 10 working days. Then cancel your old Direct Debit. Total active time on your part: about 12 minutes.
Quick Reference: Switch Timeline
| Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | You sign up with new supplier online |
| Day 0-14 | Cooling-off period - cancel free, no questions asked |
| Day 1-2 | New supplier registers the switch with industry systems |
| Day 3-5 | Old supplier confirms, switch completes |
| By Day 5 | Switch complete (£30 automatic compensation if delayed) |
| Within 6 weeks | Old supplier sends final bill |
| Within 10 working days | Old supplier must refund any credit balance |
Insider Tips Suppliers Don't Tell You
Switch mid-contract if the savings justify it
Don't wait for your fixed tariff to end if a significantly cheaper deal exists now. Run the calculation: monthly saving multiplied by 6 months vs. exit fee. If switching recoups the exit fee within 6 months, switch immediately and enjoy the savings for the remaining contract period and beyond.
Never auto-renew a fixed tariff
When your fixed deal ends, suppliers automatically roll you onto their Standard Variable Tariff - their most expensive rate. This is typically £200+ per year more than a competitive fixed deal, though the exact gap varies with the price cap. Set a calendar reminder 6-7 weeks before your contract end date to shop around. Better yet, sign up to our newsletter and we'll remind you.
Use the 14-day cooling-off period as a test drive
Not sure about a supplier's customer service reputation? Switch anyway, experience their onboarding and communications for two weeks, and cancel free if it's poor. Zero risk.
Don't switch for tiny savings
Switching for £5-10 per year isn't worth the admin. A minimum saving of £50 per year is a reasonable threshold. But if you're on an expensive default tariff overpaying by £200 or more, switch immediately regardless.
Take meter readings on switch completion day
Submit readings to both your old and new suppliers on the day your switch completes. This prevents estimated final bills (suppliers tend to estimate high to extract more money) and eliminates disputes about exactly what each supplier is owed.
Common Switching Myths Debunked
Will my power go off during the switch?
No. Supply continuity is legally guaranteed. Your electricity and gas stay on throughout. Nothing physically changes at your property.
Do I need an engineer to visit?
No. Everything is handled remotely via industry systems. No one needs to come to your property.
It sounds complicated
It isn't. You fill in one online form and the suppliers handle everything else. If it feels complicated, you're overthinking it - or the supplier has a poor website.
Will my smart meter stop working?
Newer SMETS2 meters (installed from 2018 onwards) stay fully smart after switching. Older SMETS1 meters may lose smart functionality and revert to manual readings temporarily, but they still work as normal meters. You can request a free SMETS2 upgrade from your new supplier.
I have to use Direct Debit
No. Direct Debit is the most common payment method because it's usually the cheapest, but you can also pay by prepayment meter, monthly payment card, or bank transfer with some suppliers.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
Switch delayed beyond 5 days
Contact your new supplier - they are responsible for the switch completing on time. You are entitled to automatic £30 compensation. If they are unhelpful, escalate to the Energy Ombudsman (free service).
Being charged by both suppliers
Take meter readings immediately and contact both suppliers with the readings and your switch confirmation date. One has billed incorrectly. This is usually resolved within a few days.
Switched without your permission (erroneous transfer)
Contact the supplier immediately. Ofgem rules require them to switch you back at no cost. This is rare but does happen - usually an address mixup.
Genuinely unhappy with your new supplier
Within 14 days: use the cooling-off period. After 14 days: just switch again - there's no limit on how often you can switch. If you have a serious unresolved complaint, contact the Energy Ombudsman after 8 weeks (or immediately if the supplier issues a deadlock letter).
How Often Should You Switch?
Minimum: Every time your fixed tariff ends (usually every 12-24 months).
Optimal: Check every 3-6 months, switch if you find savings of £50 or more per year.
65% of UK households are on expensive default tariffs because they don't switch regularly. The average household on a default rate is overpaying by £200+ per year - that compounds significantly over time. The energy industry relies on customer inertia. Switching is how you opt out of subsidising it.
Before You Switch: Checklist
- Found a cheaper tariff saving at least £50 per year
- Checked contract end date and any exit fees
- Calculated whether exit fees are worth paying
- Confirmed I don't have debt older than 28 days
- Have current meter readings ready
- Bank details ready for Direct Debit (if applicable)
- Set reminder to take readings on switch completion day
- Set reminder to check tariffs again in 6 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch if I rent?
Yes, if your name is on the energy account. Ofgem rules override any rental contract clause claiming to prevent switching. If your landlord pays the bills and recharges you, you cannot switch.
Can I switch if I have a prepayment meter?
Yes, though fewer tariffs are available. Some suppliers will switch you to a credit meter (Direct Debit) as part of the process. 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 under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Not all do. Check before switching or you'll lose your export income.
What if I'm moving house?
Don't switch - choose your supplier when you move in instead. Moving house is treated as a new connection, not a switch, so you can pick any supplier from day one without a formal switching process.
Can I switch gas and electricity to different suppliers?
Yes. Dual fuel deals (same supplier for both) are usually slightly cheaper and simpler, but there's no obligation to use the same supplier for gas and electricity.
What if I have Economy 7 or Economy 10?
Verify that your new supplier supports your meter type before signing up. Most do, but check - switching to a supplier who doesn't could mean losing your off-peak rates.
What if I change my mind after switching?
You have a 14-day cooling-off period. Cancel free of charge, no penalty, no questions asked. After 14 days you can still switch again - there's no limit on how often you switch.
Sources & References
- Ofgem - Switching energy supplier guide
- Ofgem - Getting a refund when switching
- Ofgem - Switching with debt
- Ofgem - Automatic compensation for switching delays (April 2024)
- Citizens Advice - Switching energy supplier
- Energy Ombudsman - Free dispute resolution service
This article does not constitute financial or energy advice. Always verify current Ofgem rules at ofgem.gov.uk before making decisions.