Step 1 — Check your current tariff and find your exit fee
Before comparing, know what you're leaving. Log into your supplier's online account or pull out your most recent bill. Note:
- Tariff type: standard variable (SVT) or fixed. SVTs already let you leave at any time with no exit fee. Fixed deals typically charge an exit fee of £25–£50 per fuel if you leave before the end date.
- Contract end date. If your fixed deal ends within the next 49 days, Ofgem rules prohibit your supplier from charging an exit fee. This is one of the best windows to switch — you stay on your current rate until the new supplier picks you up, and you pay nothing to leave.
- Annual usage in kWh. This is on your bill and is the key input for comparison sites to show accurate savings estimates.
Step 2 — Compare tariffs using your postcode
Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket, and Energy Helpline are the main comparison tools for UK energy. Enter your:
- Postcode — your region determines which network your supply runs through and affects tariff pricing.
- Current supplier and tariff — so the site can show exact savings vs. your current deal.
- Annual usage (kWh) — ideally separate electricity and gas figures from your bill.
The comparison returns fixed and variable tariffs from suppliers in the market. Paying by monthly direct debit is consistently the cheapest payment method for the same tariff — Ofgem's own data shows direct-debit customers pay less than those on prepayment meters or who pay quarterly by cash/cheque.
Understanding the Ofgem price cap (2026)
The price cap doesn't set your total bill — it sets the maximum unit rate and standing charge that suppliers can apply on a standard variable tariff. For April–June 2026, the cap works out to approximately £1,641 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit, with electricity at 24.67p/kWh and gas at 5.74p/kWh. Around 30 fixed tariffs on the market as of mid-2026 undercut those rates; the best fixed deals are running roughly 19% below the current cap level.
Step 3 — Sign up with the new supplier
Once you've found a better deal, apply directly on the new supplier's website. You do not need to contact your old supplier first — the new supplier manages the entire switch process, including notifying the outgoing supplier.
What you'll need:
- Your postcode and meter point reference numbers (MPRN for gas, MPAN for electricity) — both on your bill.
- A recent meter reading (takes a photo on your phone on the day you apply — this becomes the handover reading).
- Bank account details if you're setting up direct debit.
Step 4 — The switch completes in 5 working days
The Energy Switch Guarantee is a voluntary commitment by most major UK suppliers, backed by Energy UK. It means:
- Your switch completes within 5 working days once you confirm.
- Your supply is never interrupted — the pipes and wires don't change, only your billing account.
- If there's a problem, the suppliers involved are responsible for resolving it.
Since April 2024, Ofgem also requires suppliers to pay £30 compensation automatically if a switch takes longer than 5 working days. You don't need to chase — it should be paid directly to you.
The 14-day cooling-off period: You have 14 days after agreeing to switch to cancel without any penalty or fee. The period begins the day after you confirm with the new supplier. After 14 days, cancelling may mean your new supplier applies their own cancellation terms.
Step 5 — Check your final bill from the old supplier
Your old supplier must send you a final bill within 6 weeks of the switch completing. If your account was in credit — which is common with direct-debit plans where you've been paying more than your usage — they must refund the balance. If you overpaid seasonally, that credit is yours.
Keep the meter reading you took on the handover day. If the final bill uses a different reading, that photo is your evidence.
When switching doesn't make sense
Switching isn't always the right move:
- Mid-fixed-deal, high exit fee. If your exit fee is £100+ and you have many months left on a fixed contract, the savings on a new tariff may not outweigh the fee. Calculate the break-even point: (monthly saving on new tariff × months remaining) vs. exit fee.
- Already on the cheapest available. If comparison sites return nothing cheaper after accounting for your usage and postcode, your current tariff may already be competitive. Check again in 6 months.
See also how to get car insurance quotes and how to lower your internet bill for similar comparison-shopping guides. The Australian version of this guide covers how to switch energy provider in Australia. Browse every guide here.