[2]Save up to £405.98 on dual fuel bills - between 1 October and 31 December 2018 at least 10% of customers who provided their usage and received a price for switching both gas and electricity could save £405.98
[2]Save up to £405.98 on dual fuel bills - between 1 October and 31 December 2018 at least 10% of customers who provided their usage and received a price for switching both gas and electricity could save £405.98
UK homes pay around £1,137 a year if they’re on their provider’s standard variable tariff for gas and electricity[3].
If that’s you, you could be saving yourself a fortune by switching your energy supplier.
When you switch, your new provider will sort everything, so you won’t need to worry about any awkward goodbyes.
It’ll be sorted within a few weeks and don’t worry, your power won’t be cut off at any point. No cold showers for you.
There are plenty of deals on the market which is great! But it can also be confusing. Let's work out which one's right for you:
An SVT is your provider's default tariff and you'll automatically move to this when your deal ends. It's usually quite expensive, so if you're on an SVT now, chances are you could save money by comparing energy prices and switching to a new deal.
Find out more >Dual fuel tariffs cover your gas and electricity. You'll only have to deal with one supplier for both and it could work out cheaper than separate deals. That's not always the case though, so you might want to compare gas and electricity separately to get the cheapest energy you can.
Find out more >A fixed rate tariff will set your price for a certain length of time. The amount you pay per unit of energy stays the same while you're on a fixed rate, so your bills will only go up or down if you use more or less gas and electricity. It protects you from price increases, but you won't benefit if prices fall.
Find out more >Green tariffs use renewable sources, so your energy is environmentally friendly. They won't always be the cheapest deals on offer though, so if price is your main concern they might not be the right product for you.
Find out more >Collective tariffs let people group together to negotiate a better deal with their energy supplier. They're usually only open for a limited time and to certain groups of people, but they sometimes offer market-leading deals.
Find out more >Prepayment energy tariffs use a prepaid meter in your home, which you'll have to top up. You usually do this using a card or key that you can load with credit online, over the phone, or in local shops.
Find out more >You'll pay tow prices for your electricity on an Economy 7 tariff - one for night time and one for day. You'll need an Economy 7 meter that separately measures seven off-peak hours at night when energy is cheaper. The other 17 hours will be classed as peak time and more expensive.
Find out more >Dual fuel tariffs are when gas and electricity are provided by the same supplier on one contract.
This is likely to be the most convenient option and can work out cheaper.
It's always worth checking to see if you can get a better deal with separate tariffs.
Your meters will either be on one of your outside walls or inside the property - perhaps in your porch or cupboard.
If you're living in a flat, your meters will usually be grouped together in a communal space.
Struggling to find your meter? The previous occupant, estate agent, landlord or letting agency can help you.
A cooling-off period gives you the right to change your mind after you sign up to a new energy deal.
You’ll have 14 days to cancel your deal without having to pay any extra charges.
Just call up your new provider and let them know.
In September 2018, the average switching time was 16 days for electricity and 18 days for gas, according to Ofgem.
It should take no more than 21 days for you to be fully switched.
If you haven’t heard anything from your provider after this time, give them a call.
In January 2019, the cheapest available dual fuel tariff was around £930 a year, according to Ofgem.
But how much your energy bills cost will depend on the amount you use and the price your provider charges you for it.
You could easily slice the price by following our top tips.
Turn lights and appliances off when they're not needed
Use draught excluders to keep your home warm and cosy
Don't leave the radiators on while no one is home
Wash your clothes at lower temperatures
Newer one generally have better energy ratings
Solar panels and wind turbines could help
Use a smart meter to keep and eye on how much energy you're using
If you spot an issue, let your provider know asap
Your saucepans that is - it can help keep the heat in
Always see if you can get a better price by comparing deals
If you apply to switch suppliers, there'll be a cooling-off period of up to 14 days to allow you to change your mind.
Yep - tenants have as much right to switch energy supplier as homeowners if they are paying the bills directly. It doesn't matter if it's a prepaid meter or standard. But it's worth having a chat with your landlord or checking your contract first.
Usually around three weeks but your new supplier should keep you updated.
You can but you might have to pay an exit fee if it doesn't fall within the cooling-off period or if you're on a fixed tariff.