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Can I switch suppliers?

Our expert says...

If you haven’t considered switching energy suppliers recently, or ever in fact, it makes sense to compare energy prices and tariffs every so often, to guarantee you’re on the best tariff to suit you. Making sure you’re on the cheapest tariff and switching suppliers is a good way of keeping your energy bills down.

Firstly, you need to decide whether it’s the right time to switch energy suppliers. With energy prices currently being cut a little, you may find that another supplier is offering a better deal. Keep on top of the news and regularly compare prices though, as deals are changing all the time.

Here’s a brief guide on how to switch energy suppliers, and what you should do if you have any debts with your energy company:

Can I switch if I have debts with my energy supplier?

If you owe your current energy supplier money, the supplier has the right to stop you from switching, making you pay your debt before you allowing you to switch to cheaper provider.

If you’re in debt but pay your energy bills by monthly direct debit, you need to be aware that the full outstanding balance will automatically be taken from your account when you switch.

If you are struggling to pay for your energy bills you should contact your supplier and explain the situation. They may switch you to a social tariff, a payment plan specially designed for vulnerable and struggling customers, or install a prepayment meter. But remember, prepayment meter tariff is often more expensive in the long-term.

Switching energy suppliers

Switching energy suppliers could save you as much as £200 on your annual household gas and electricity bill, though the amount you can save depends on a number of factors, including who is currently supplying your energy, how you pay for it, and who you will be switching to.

Providing you’re not locked into a fixed price tariff, switching suppliers doesn’t cost a penny and you can switch as often as you want.

If you are on a fixed price energy tariff and want to switch before the end of the offer period, you may have to pay a cancellation fee. However, this could be less than the amount that you would save by switching, so it’s important you work out the difference.

Whether you’re on a fixed deal or not you should always make sure that you read the terms and conditions of your contract before switching energy suppliers.

Avoid estimated energy bills

To make sure you’re not underpaying for your gas and electricity, you should avoid estimated billing. If you underpay on your bills you could be building up a debt that you’re unaware of until it’s become significant. If your bills are currently estimated, consider signing up to paperless billing.

Paperless billing means you will not receive paper bills; instead you will manage your account online. As an online energy customer, you’ll take your own meter readings and enter them online; you’ll receive an e-bill and be able to access and amend your account, see direct debit payment details and pay your bill, if you’re not a direct debit customer online.

By managing your account yourself it saves suppliers money on admin costs such as postage and paper, as well as meter readers - savings which are passed on to you. Paperless billing also means you’ll eliminate the risk of over or underpaying on estimated bills.

Reduce your energy bills

Following the energy price hikes last summer, many people are finding themselves faced with increased gas and electricity costs and are worried about high energy bills.

Though switching suppliers is one of the easiest ways of reducing your energy bills, if you’re tied into a fixed price energy plan, switching may not be an option. There are other simple actions you can take, such as buying energy saving light bulbs, that will help cut your bills though.

Read this article for tips on reducing your energy bills, and make sure you download our free guide to energy efficiency to find out how you can make important changes around your home that will not only cut your energy bills, but also help tackle climate change.

If you have further questions about switching, you should read our Switching Suppliers FAQ.

Hope this helps you switch suppliers Terry!

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If you have an energy query please email ourexpert@energychoices.co.uk