Dealing with your energy supplier

This page looks at how to manage your account with your gas and electricity supplier, including how to switch to save money

Last updated, 2019

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Whether you’re planning to stay with your energy supplier or to switch, there are several ways of making sure that you’re getting a good deal.

Click here to jump to the section on switching.

Do I need to take regular meter readings?

Taking regular meter readings is one of the best ways to stay on top of how much energy you are using. It means your supplier will send you a bill based on your actual use, and not on an estimate which can be inaccurate. If your bill is overestimated then you’re paying for fuel you haven’t actually used. If it’s underestimated then you won’t be paying enough and may face a large debt when the meter is eventually read.

Some suppliers may offer you a smart meter, which automatically sends meter readings to your supplier. If you already have a smart meter and then switch, you may lose this functionality, meaning you’ll have to take meter readings manually again.

Is it cheaper to buy both electricity and gas from the same supplier?

Often, but not always. Buying both fuels from the same supplier is convenient but may not be the cheapest option. Many suppliers no longer offer a Dual Fuel Discount. If you have one supplier for gas and a different one for electricity then you can check with both to see which would offer you the better deal if you became a dual fuel customer. However, to find the cheapest available tariff it’s better to use an independent comparison service and check tariffs from separate suppliers as well as dual fuel options.

What is a fixed rate tariff?

Unless you request otherwise, your energy supplier will put you on a variable tariff (usually called ‘standard tariff’. This is often the most expensive tariff, and also means you will be affected by any price changes your supplier implements.

Fixed-rate tariffs tend to be cheaper than variable tariffs. A fixed-rate tariff means the price you pay for each kilowatt hour (kWh) unit of gas or electricity you use. And for your daily standing charge, will stay the same for the duration of your contract (usually one or two years). How much you pay each month will still depend on how much energy you use.

If your supplier drops its prices after you’ve started your fixed rate contract you might end up paying more than the variable tariff. However, in recent years the trend has been for energy prices to go up rather than down, although the government has set a price cap.

Your energy bill or statement must now show whether there is a cheaper tariff your supplier can offer you. However it is usually better to contact your supplier directly to check. If you’re on a variable tariff this section of the bill may not show fixed tariffs, or it might only list a direct debit or online option, which may not suit you.

You can leave a fixed rate contract any time you like. In some cases you can leave for free, but you’ll usually have to pay an exit fee. When your contract ends, either move onto the next cheapest tariff (otherwise you will put on the more expensive variable tariff), or consider switching.

Is it cheaper to pay by direct debit?

Usually, yes. Energy suppliers aren’t allowed to offer discounts to people who pay by direct debit , but they can restrict access to their cheapest tariffs to direct debit customers. Therefore in some circumstances direct debit can work out cheaper. The other advantage to paying by direct debit is that it spreads the cost of fuel evenly over the course of the year, avoiding high winter bills.

Direct debit payments are based on estimates of how much energy you will use, which may be over or under estimated. Your supplier is only obliged to attempt to read your meter once every two years so, to avoid shock bills, submit a meter reading every time you receive a statement. Your direct debit should be reviewed at least once a year to make sure you’re not paying too much and building up credit, or too little and building up debt.

What if I prefer pre-payment?

Prepayment meters work on a pay-as-you-go basis. You top up a key or a card at a pay-point and then stick it in the meter, which tops up your available credit. Click here for our page on prepayment meters.

Some people like prepayment meters because they help with budgeting and don’t allow you to build up a big debt. However, credit can run out at inconvenient times or you may find it difficult to get to a pay point. In this instance you might consider a smart pre-payment meter, which offers top-up methods by text or online, and a range of other advantages over standard pre-payment meters.

If you want to start paying by direct debit, speak to your supplier about switching to a credit meter. This is easier if you have a smart meter. If you don’t, you may have to pass a credit check, or may be charged to change the meter.

Is an online tariff cheaper?

On average, an online tariff can save you a further 10% on your bills. Some suppliers offer competitive tariffs but only if you manage your account online. Others may offer paperless billing discounts, where you receive your bills and correspondence by email rather than post.

A girl switches off a light at the wall.

Thinking about switching?

Despite what you might have heard switching gas or electricity supplier is very easy. And it could save you money.

To find out what you could save, use one of the Ofgem-accredited independent comparison services listed below. You can do this online or over the phone. All of them offer accurate and impartial information about tariffs.

What information will I need to switch?

All the information you need to accurately compare energy suppliers will be on your bill. This includes:

The name of the tariff you’re on.
Method used to pay for your energy.
If you have to pay any fees to exit your tariff.
How much energy you use per year in kilowatt hours (kWh).

If you’re on Economy 7 your comparison will be more accurate if you separate out day and night usage. Ask your supplier if this is not shown on your bill.

How much will I save?

If your fixed tariff ends within the next year, comparison sites assume you will then move onto the more expensive variable tariff. Savings figures are based on this future prediction, although some sites allow you to compare savings against your spend from the previous year.

If you need to pay an exit fee factor this into any savings listed. Also bear in mind that if you owe your supplier money you will need to pay this when you switch.

If you receive the Warm Home Discount be aware that not all suppliers offer the this. Also, unless you receive Guaranteed Pension Credit, if you switch before you receive the discount you will lose it that year.

What’s the process of switching?

Once you’ve agreed a deal with your new supplier you’ll sign a new contract with them. They will then let your old supplier know you are leaving. The process of moving can take up to 21 days, but your new supplier should manage the process so contact them if you experience problems. You should to be told the date of the switch, and on this day take a meter read and submit it to your new supplier. Your old supplier will then send you a final bill to pay, and any direct debits should be cancelled.

Once you’ve switched, your old supplier is not obliged to reimburse you any credit left behind on your old account unless you specifically ask for it. You can claim credit back from an old account no matter how long ago it was.

The switching process:

Compare tariffs.
Select tariff and notify new supplier.
The 14-day cooling-off period.
New supplier takes up to three weeks to complete the switch.
Take meter reading on date of switch.

What if I change my mind?

By law you have a 14 day cooling-off period to change your mind without incurring a penalty. This starts from the day you take on a contract with a new supplier.

Am I allowed to switch if I’m renting?

If you live in a rental property and your name is on the bill, you have the right to switch. This is the case even if your tenancy agreement says otherwise. You also have the right to change your meter from a prepayment to a credit meter (or vice versa). But you may be obliged to change it back at the end of your tenancy.

The exceptions to this are if your landlord’s name is on the bill. If your landlord or lettings agency is unreasonably preventing you from switching you can contact Citizens Advice for guidance.

Meter reference numbers

When dealing with your energy supplier, you sometimes need to know your meter reference number. Every gas and electricity supply has one. This is unique to your house and won’t change if you change supplier. If you do switch it is your responsibility to check this reference number remains correct, to prevent any problems occurring.

For gas it’s called the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) and for electricity it’s the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN).

These are not the same as your customer account number or your meter serial number (printed on your meter). If you need to find them they should be located somewhere on your bill or statement. Electricty MPANs look like this, and gas MPRNs are similar: