Gas and Electricity Prices comparisons in uSwitch - P2
Energy Comparison FAQs
How do I use uSwitch to switch energy?
There are four easy ways to compare energy deals with uSwitch — and all of them are completely free:
What information do I need to provide to compare energy prices?
For us to run an energy comparison, we’ll need your postcode and address details as well as a recent energy bill. If you don’t have a bill you can just tell us how much you pay for your gas and electricity. If you don’t know how much you pay we can estimate your usage based on a few extra details. To complete your switch you’ll need to provide contact and payment details so your new supplier can take over your energy account.
What happens once I’ve switched energy?
uSwitch is a free service that handles the switching process for you. Once you’ve completed your energy switch, your new energy supplier will contact your old supplier and agree a switching date. You will then receive a welcome pack and letter from your new gas and electricity supplier. This will outline what you’ve agreed to, and tell you what happens next. There won’t be any interruption in your energy supply.
How long does it take to switch energy supplier?
It only takes a few minutes to run an energy comparison with uSwitch. Once you’ve confirmed your switch with us, there’s a 14-day cooling-off period in which you can cancel your switch if you change your mind. The whole energy switching process should be complete in 17 days.
Why are my energy bills so high?
Your gas and electricity bills are largely dependent on usage, but there are other reasons your bills might have gone up recently:
1. Your fixed price plan ended
A fixed price plan protects against price rises. These plans do end though, and when they do you get automatically rolled on to a new plan with different rates. This is often a standard variable
tariff or default tariff, the most expensive type of plan on offer.
2. Your energy supplier has raised prices
If you’re on a standard variable or default tariff, your energy supplier can raise prices at any time. In 2019, many energy suppliers raised their prices in reaction to an increase in Ofgem’s energy price cap.
3. Your bills are based on estimated meter readings
Check that your bill is based on actual readings of your electricity meter rather than estimated ones. It’s important to take your own readings so that you get charged accurately. Or consider getting a smart meter, which provides real-time meter readings and can help you monitor your energy usage — you can request one from your supplier or switch to a smart meter tariff.
Can I switch my energy plan if I have a prepayment meter?
Yes, you can switch your energy deal if you’re on a prepayment meter. Just select ‘Prepayment meter’ when you’re asked how you pay your energy bills. You can tell you’re on a prepayment meter if you pay in advance with a smart card, token or key. You can also choose to switch away from using a prepayment meter by replacing it with a credit meter.
Can I switch energy if I’m renting?
Yes, you can switch to a better energy deal if you’re a tenant. The only exception is if your landlord pays the energy bills or if energy charges are included in your rent. If your name is on your energy bill you have the right to switch energy supplier and save on your bills.
What’s the difference between a fixed rate contract and a variable rate tariff?
Once you’ve run an energy comparison you’ll be able to choose from available tariffs, which could include fixed rate contracts or variable price tariffs. Fixed rate contracts usually last between 12 and 24 months and guarantee the rate you pay for your energy during this time. Variable price tariffs can go up or down depending on wholesale energy prices.
It’s important to note that this is different from a standard variable tariff, which you’ll usually be switched to after your fixed rate ends. Standard variable tariffs are usually a supplier’s most expensive plan so it can pay to shop around if you’ve been rolled onto this type of plan after your fixed rate term has ended.
How do I know the best energy supplier for me?
The best gas and electricity supplier for you won’t necessarily be the cheapest. You can use uSwitch to filter by what’s important to you, whether that’s a large supplier or one that offers green energy plans.
We also know customer service is important, so we’ve assigned each supplier star ratings based on our energy customer satisfaction report to help you compare energy suppliers, from the well-known ‘big six’ to the smaller suppliers you might not be so familiar with.
Can I switch to the same energy supplier?
If you don’t want to switch away from your supplier, you still might be able to find a better deal with uSwitch. If you haven’t switched your energy deal before it’s likely that you’re on your provider’s standard variable or default tariff, which is typically the most expensive type of plan on offer. You can use uSwitch to switch to a better energy deal from your current provider if you’re happy with the service but want to save on your energy bills.
How do I use uSwitch to switch energy?
There are four easy ways to compare energy deals with uSwitch — and all of them are completely free:
- Enter your postcode on this page
- Call us on uSwitch
- Download mobile app
- Send us your energy bill
What information do I need to provide to compare energy prices?
For us to run an energy comparison, we’ll need your postcode and address details as well as a recent energy bill. If you don’t have a bill you can just tell us how much you pay for your gas and electricity. If you don’t know how much you pay we can estimate your usage based on a few extra details. To complete your switch you’ll need to provide contact and payment details so your new supplier can take over your energy account.
What happens once I’ve switched energy?
uSwitch is a free service that handles the switching process for you. Once you’ve completed your energy switch, your new energy supplier will contact your old supplier and agree a switching date. You will then receive a welcome pack and letter from your new gas and electricity supplier. This will outline what you’ve agreed to, and tell you what happens next. There won’t be any interruption in your energy supply.
How long does it take to switch energy supplier?
It only takes a few minutes to run an energy comparison with uSwitch. Once you’ve confirmed your switch with us, there’s a 14-day cooling-off period in which you can cancel your switch if you change your mind. The whole energy switching process should be complete in 17 days.
Why are my energy bills so high?
Your gas and electricity bills are largely dependent on usage, but there are other reasons your bills might have gone up recently:
1. Your fixed price plan ended
A fixed price plan protects against price rises. These plans do end though, and when they do you get automatically rolled on to a new plan with different rates. This is often a standard variable
tariff or default tariff, the most expensive type of plan on offer.
2. Your energy supplier has raised prices
If you’re on a standard variable or default tariff, your energy supplier can raise prices at any time. In 2019, many energy suppliers raised their prices in reaction to an increase in Ofgem’s energy price cap.
3. Your bills are based on estimated meter readings
Check that your bill is based on actual readings of your electricity meter rather than estimated ones. It’s important to take your own readings so that you get charged accurately. Or consider getting a smart meter, which provides real-time meter readings and can help you monitor your energy usage — you can request one from your supplier or switch to a smart meter tariff.
Can I switch my energy plan if I have a prepayment meter?
Yes, you can switch your energy deal if you’re on a prepayment meter. Just select ‘Prepayment meter’ when you’re asked how you pay your energy bills. You can tell you’re on a prepayment meter if you pay in advance with a smart card, token or key. You can also choose to switch away from using a prepayment meter by replacing it with a credit meter.
Can I switch energy if I’m renting?
Yes, you can switch to a better energy deal if you’re a tenant. The only exception is if your landlord pays the energy bills or if energy charges are included in your rent. If your name is on your energy bill you have the right to switch energy supplier and save on your bills.
What’s the difference between a fixed rate contract and a variable rate tariff?
Once you’ve run an energy comparison you’ll be able to choose from available tariffs, which could include fixed rate contracts or variable price tariffs. Fixed rate contracts usually last between 12 and 24 months and guarantee the rate you pay for your energy during this time. Variable price tariffs can go up or down depending on wholesale energy prices.
It’s important to note that this is different from a standard variable tariff, which you’ll usually be switched to after your fixed rate ends. Standard variable tariffs are usually a supplier’s most expensive plan so it can pay to shop around if you’ve been rolled onto this type of plan after your fixed rate term has ended.
How do I know the best energy supplier for me?
The best gas and electricity supplier for you won’t necessarily be the cheapest. You can use uSwitch to filter by what’s important to you, whether that’s a large supplier or one that offers green energy plans.
We also know customer service is important, so we’ve assigned each supplier star ratings based on our energy customer satisfaction report to help you compare energy suppliers, from the well-known ‘big six’ to the smaller suppliers you might not be so familiar with.
Can I switch to the same energy supplier?
If you don’t want to switch away from your supplier, you still might be able to find a better deal with uSwitch. If you haven’t switched your energy deal before it’s likely that you’re on your provider’s standard variable or default tariff, which is typically the most expensive type of plan on offer. You can use uSwitch to switch to a better energy deal from your current provider if you’re happy with the service but want to save on your energy bills.
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