Written by energy industry professionals

SwitchInsights

Plain-English breakdowns of UK energy prices, supplier reviews, and what the latest policy changes mean for your household. No jargon, no spin.

Did you know?

65% of UK households are overpaying on energy right now - most are on a default tariff with no switching protection.

Did you know?

You're paying wind farms to switch off when it's too windy. Constraint payments cost you around £100/year.

Did you know?

UK energy debt has tripled to £4.4 billion. Suppliers recover bad debt from all customers - adding around £52 to your annual bill.

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Showing all 31 articles
Home Energy

🔥 Heat Pump Grant UK 2026: Is the £7,500 Worth It?

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme 2026 covers £7,500, 0% VAT runs to March 2027, and oil/LPG homes get £9,000 from July. SwitchInsights on the air source heat pump cost UK, the heat pump running costs UK case, and which suppliers do the install.

18 Jun 2026 6 min read
Market Update

⚡ Tesla UK Energy Supply Licence: The Plan

Ofgem granted Tesla Energy Ventures Limited an electricity supply licence on 11 March 2026. SwitchInsights on the three pillars Tesla likely turns the licence into - EV tariffs, Powerwall virtual power plant, grid balancing - and the showdown with Octopus that follows.

15 Jun 2026 5 min read
Deep Dive

🔥 AI Data Centres UK: Why Your Energy Bill Is Rising

100+ UK data centres are burning gas to power AI. Because Great Britain prices electricity by marginal pricing - the most expensive gas plant sets the rate for every kWh - that lifts the cost of wind and solar too. SwitchInsights on how AI's gas habit lands on your bill.

9 Jun 2026 6 min read
Policy & Regulation

⚖️ OVO Energy Refund 2026: Are You Owed Money?

OVO Energy has agreed over £24m in Ofgem settlements since 2020 across four cases: 500,000 inaccurate annual statements, EPG overcharging (avg £181 refund), and £10.4m for prepayment meter failures. SwitchInsights on who was affected, who got an automatic refund, and exactly how to claim if you were missed.

7 Jun 2026 5 min read
Deep Dive

🔌 Is Economy 7 Still Worth It in 2026?

Economy 7's day rate is now above the standard variable cap, so the maths has flipped for most homes. SwitchInsights on where the break-even line falls in 2026, which three household profiles still benefit, and which modern TOU tariff (FreePhase, Agile, or an EV-only) replaces it - no EV required.

6 Jun 2026 5 min read
Guide

⚡ Vehicle to Grid UK 2026: Can Your EV Earn Money While You Sleep?

Vehicle to grid UK 2026 turns your EV into a dispatchable battery the grid will pay for. SwitchInsights covers cheap overnight EV charging from 6.99p/kWh on EDF GoElectric, the V2G route via Octopus Power Pack (~£620/yr), UKPN LocalFlex aggregator earnings, and the hardware calls in 2026 that decide what works at your address.

3 Jun 2026 6 min read
Supplier Review

🚦 EDF FreePhase Dynamic Review 2026: 192 Free Electricity Hours a Year

Around 192 hours of free electricity a year, flagged a day ahead by text, plus an 11.5p overnight rate. SwitchInsights on the three price bands (Green / Amber / Red), who wins, who loses, and how to switch through our EDF partner link.

30 May 2026 5 min read
Market Update

💰 Ofgem Price Cap Q3 2026: £1,862 Confirmed

Ofgem confirmed the Q3 cap on 27 May at £1,862 at the old benchmark, or £1,663 at the new lower TDCV. SwitchInsights explains why the benchmark change raises per-unit rates and what to do before the 1 July switch.

29 May 2026 5 min read
Policy

⚡ Rachel Reeves Electricity Gas Decoupling 2026: What It Means

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 55% Electricity Generator Levy and voluntary fixed-price contracts on 16 April 2026. SwitchInsights on what they do, what they don't, and when households would feel any difference on bills.

25 May 2026 5 min read
Guide

🔌 Best EV Tariff UK 2026: Compare Top Rates

An EV tariff cuts overnight home charging to as low as 7.5p/kWh against 24.5p on a standard tariff. SwitchInsights compares Intelligent Octopus Go, British Gas EV Power, OVO Charge Anytime and E.ON Drive on rate, smart dispatch and who each suits.

21 May 2026 5 min read
Supplier Review

🔍 OVO vs E.ON Next: Full Review Before the Merger

Before the UK's largest energy supplier is formed, SwitchPilot reviews OVO Energy and E.ON Next on complaints data, tariff innovation and digital experience. Where each led, where each fell short.

18 May 2026 5 min read
Market Update

📜 OVO E.ON Merger Confirmed: What Happens Next

E.ON formally signed the OVO Energy acquisition on 11 May 2026. SwitchInsights breaks down the CMA timeline, the Hometree home services split, and what OVO customers can expect.

14 May 2026 5 min read
Market Update

📈 July 2026 Energy Price Cap: The Q3 Rise Is Locked In

Cornwall Insight forecasts the July 2026 energy price cap at £1,929, an 18% rise on April. Ofgem confirms on 27 May. The assessment window closes 17 May, so the number is set.

13 May 2026 6 min read
Energy Market

🤝 Is E.ON Buying OVO Energy? What's at Stake

E.ON is reportedly in advanced talks to buy OVO Energy for up to £600m. Nothing is signed. If a deal lands, the merged supplier would serve 9.6 million UK households, more than Octopus.

7 May 2026 5 min read
Energy Market

🛢 Iran War & UK Energy: Six Weeks After Hormuz Closed

Hormuz closed 27 March. Six weeks on, UK wholesale gas is still 35% above pre-closure, CPI has hit 3.3%, and the Q3 price cap is heading for an 18% rise. What it means for July bills.

4 May 2026 5 min read
Supplier Review

🐙 Octopus Energy Review 2026: Inside the UK's Number 1

The UK's largest electricity supplier, 4.8 stars on Trustpilot, ninth Which? award. A closer look at the tariffs, the Kraken platform, customer service, and the April 2026 Intelligent Go rate update.

30 Apr 2026 5 min read
Supplier Review

🔍 Energy Comparison Sites: Who Are They Comparing For?

Uswitch and MoneySupermarket are paid by the suppliers they recommend. They don't show every tariff. Here's how comparison sites really work.

23 Apr 2026 4 min read
Market Update

📊 UK Energy Market April 2026: Price Cap, Iran Gas Shock and July Forecast

The price cap fell to £1,641 but the Iran conflict pushed wholesale gas to €60/MWh. A ceasefire has eased things - here is where bills, tariffs and the July forecast stand now.

19 Apr 2026 5 min read
Market Update

⚖️ Energy Bills July 2026: Is the £300 Bill Rise Real?

Cornwall Insight forecasts a £288 rise in the July price cap. Here is what it actually costs your summer bill, and why Q4 is the real test.

14 Apr 2026 5 min read
Policy & Regulation

🔬 Ofgem TDCV Review 2026: The £152 Energy Bill Cut Explained

A quiet Ofgem consultation would cut the benchmark household usage figures for the headline energy price cap. Unit rates don't change. The number politicians quote falls by £152.

9 Apr 2026 5 min read
Guide

⚡ What's the Cheapest Time of Day to Use Electricity?

Off-peak hours, Octopus Agile, Intelligent Go, EDF FreePhase, Economy 7 - every UK time-of-use tariff compared, and what MHHS changes about all of it.

8 Apr 2026 5 min read
Supplier Review

🔵 British Gas Review 2026: The Original. But Is It Still Worth It?

Around 10 million customers and 27% of UK gas supply. We look at the tariffs, the Hive app, HomeCare cover, complaints data, and how British Gas compares to Octopus and E.ON Next in 2026.

7 Apr 2026 5 min read
Guide

🏠 What Happens to Your Energy When You Move House?

Deemed contracts, MPAN, MPRN, meter readings, and a printable checklist - plus Octopus, Fuse, EDF, E.ON Next and British Gas compared side by side.

6 Apr 2026 5 min read
Supplier Review

⭐ Which Energy Supplier Has the Best Complaints Record?

We compared all 16 major UK energy suppliers across Citizens Advice, Which?, Trustpilot, and social media sentiment. The results don't always agree.

3 Apr 2026 5 min read
Deep Dive

⚡ Why Does Gas Still Set Your Electricity Price - And Could That Change?

Wind generates 40% of Britain's electricity at near-zero cost, yet you pay as if gas generated everything. We explain the merit order and what reform could deliver.

29 Mar 2026 4 min read
Supplier Review

📊 Do Energy Suppliers Really Make a Fortune from You?

Only £44 of your £1,641 annual bill is supplier profit - less than 3%. We map where the rest goes and why the profit picture is more nuanced than headlines suggest.

10 Mar 2026 5 min read
Market Update

📈 UK Gas Prices Have Nearly Doubled This Week

Iran tensions pushed European gas to its highest since January. What this means for UK household bills and the July price cap.

6 Mar 2026 4 min read
Market Update

📉 April Bills Are Dropping to £1,641 - But the Saving Is Half What the Government Is Claiming

Ofgem cut the cap to £1,641 for Q2. That is a real saving, but the claimed £100-per-household figure is misleading.

1 Mar 2026 4 min read
Policy & Regulation

📊 Record Satisfaction. Record Debt. Ofgem's 2026 Market Report Explained

Ofgem reports record customer satisfaction alongside record energy debt. We break down what the 2026 report actually shows.

17 Feb 2026 4 min read
Policy & Regulation

📜 The Ban on Acquisition Tariffs: When Consumer Protection Harms Consumers

Ofgem's ban on cheap switching deals was designed to protect customers. It did the opposite. Here is what happened.

11 Feb 2026 5 min read
Supplier Review

⚡ Fuse Energy Review 2026

Britain's first new energy supplier since the 2021 crisis. We look at Fuse's pricing, hedging strategy, customer experience and how it compares to the price cap.

2 Feb 2026 5 min read
Guide

🏠 The Home Mover's Energy Trap

Moving house? Your new supplier will probably be the most expensive one available. Here is how deemed contracts work and how to avoid them.

28 Jan 2026 5 min read
Deep Dive

⚡ Why UK Electricity Bills Follow Gas Prices

Wind generates 40% of UK electricity at near-zero cost, yet you pay as if gas generated everything. Here is why marginal pricing works that way.

24 Jan 2026 5 min read
Guide

⛏️ We Calculated If Mining Bitcoin at Home Is Worth It in 2026

At the April 2026 cap of 21p/kWh with BTC at £85k, the maths shows a ~£4,300/year loss on standard tariffs. Mining only flips profitable on Octopus Agile or deep off-peak windows. Calculator included.

19 Jan 2026 4 min read
Policy & Regulation

🔌 £250 Off for Living Near Pylons? We Check the Facts

The government's £250 pylon discount was a great headline. But the eligibility is so narrow it covers almost nobody.

19 Jan 2026 4 min read
Guide

🔥 How Long Does £10 of Gas Last?

We calculated exactly how long £10 of gas lasts for heating, cooking, and hot water at current unit rates.

10 Jan 2026 3 min read
Deep Dive

📉 TNUoS Update: 20% Lower Than Feared

TNUoS network charges for 2026 landed 20% below Ofgem's feared worst-case scenario. Good news, but not the full story.

8 Jan 2026 3 min read
Deep Dive

💷 The Silent Crisis: UK Energy Debt Triples

UK energy debt has tripled to £4.4 billion. Suppliers recover bad debt from all customers, adding roughly £52 to your annual bill.

7 Jan 2026 3 min read
Deep Dive

⚡ RIIO-3 & TNUoS: Hidden Network Costs

RIIO-3 network spending and TNUoS transmission charges are set to push standing charges higher. Here is what is coming.

6 Jan 2026 3 min read
Market Update

📊 Q2-26 Price Cap: Budget Intervention

The government's Budget intervention alongside the Q2 2026 price cap. What it means for your April bill.

3 Jan 2026 3 min read
Market Update

🔆 Q1-26 Price Cap Breakdown

A full breakdown of the Q1 2026 price cap - unit rates, standing charges, and what typical household means in practice.

28 Nov 2025 2 min read
Policy & Regulation

⚛️ Nuclear RAB Charge Explained

Sizewell C will add a charge to every UK energy bill through the RAB model. We explain what it is and what it costs.

22 Nov 2025 3 min read
Guide

🔆 Warm Home Discount Expansion

The Warm Home Discount scheme expanded for 2025-26. Who qualifies, how much you get, and whether it is actually worth the cost.

25 Oct 2025 3 min read
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Thinking of switching? How to Switch Energy Supplier walks through the whole process - from comparing tariffs to the day the switch completes. Read the guide →

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