Why might it be a good idea to change my gas or electricity
supplier?
Different companies charge different prices and you may be
better off with another company.
Remember – you may be getting the best deal from the suppliers
you have now.
Fuel prices seem to be constantly increasing and there have been
been indications that there may be further prices rises on the way.
Now is an ideal time to check you are on the right deal.
Find out more
about rising energy prices on the BBC News
website.
Does the same company have to supply my gas and
electricity?
No. You can choose separate companies to supply your gas and
electricity, or you can choose one company to supply both. It
depends on what is best for you.
When one company supplies both your gas and electricity, this is
called 'dual fuel'.
How do I find out what company is best for
me?
Firstly, you need to work out how much you are paying now for
your gas and electricity. You can do this by looking at your last
four quarterly bills.
Once you have this information, you can begin to compare
prices.
How do I compare prices?
You can compare prices and ask for a quote on the energywatch
website here.
Remember to ensure that the price you are quoted includes VAT
and any standing charges.
You can also ring energywatch for more information about prices
on 0845 906 0708.
You can also go to the uSwitch website to find out about changing
your gas and/or electricity supplier.
Remember that different customers are offered different prices
(or 'tariffs') depending on:
• their individual circumstances;
and
• how much energy they use.
What else do I need to find out?
You will need to find out:
• What payment options the supplier
offers. For example, if you like to pay by cash or postal order,
you will need to find out if the supplier accepts this type of
payment.
• How much different ways of paying cost.
For example, it is usually cheaper to pay by direct debit than by
cheque. Also – prepayment meters are often the most expensive way
of paying for gas and electricity.
What features and special offers should I look out
for?
Some suppliers offer:
• Discounts to customers who buy both
their electricity and gas from them (this is known as 'dual
fuel')
• Special deals on air travel or telephone
services
• Sainsbury's Nectar or Tesco Clubcard
points
• Special deals for pensioners
• Freephone customer service numbers
What are these 'capped price' and 'fixed price' tariffs
I keep hearing about?
Capped:
A capped price deal offers the guarantee that the energy price
(which is the price paid per kWh for electricity and/or gas) won't
rise beyond the cap for a set period of time. The price paid for
electricity or gas could decrease if a company's standard prices
decrease during the period. Your bill will still vary depending on
how much energy is used.
Fixed:
A fixed price deal offers the guarantee that the energy price won't
rise for a set period of time. Your bill will not decrease if the
company's standard prices are reduced during the period - your
prices are fixed. Your bill will still vary, depending on how much
you use.
As with any special deal, you should be aware that there are
likely to be extra terms and conditions which apply. These could
range from termination fees if you change supplier, to an extra
premium on the tariff.
What else do I need to check?
Before changing supplier you might like to check out how good
the company's customer service is. You can do this on
the Consumer
Focus website.
Where else can I find out about switching
supplier?
There is lots of information about changing supplier on
moneysavingexpert.com including information on finding the
cheapest supplier and getting up to £30 for changing.
I have done my research and would like to change
supplier, what happens now?
If you have shopped around and are sure you would be better off
with another supplier you should:
• Contact the supplier you have chosen.
They will draw up a contract for you to sign and will take over
your supply after about six weeks.
• Give your current supplier 28 days'
notice that you will be leaving them. It is best to telephone them
and then write to them as well.
• Make sure you pay all the money you owe
to your old supplier, or they may prevent you from going to your
new supplier.
• Read your meter on the day your new
supplier takes over so you can be sure any bills you receive are
correct.