Your energy questions answered

To find the best deal for you we need to know how much energy you currently use and compare this with the tariffs available today.

So we can work out how much you currently use and spend, we need to know your current suppliers, current tariffs, your current payment method and either your current spend or consumption. It is better to tell us the consumption figure as this allows a more accurate calculation.

To work out the cheapest tariff for you to switch to, we need to know your supply area and preferred future payment method.

We also ask for your email address so that we may contact you about your results. We may also use your email address in line with our privacy policy.

In that case, do not worry about applying for a dual fuel contract. Please select the option to compare ‘Electric only’ at the top of the form.

There are two main benefits – price and convenience.

• Companies offering dual fuel packages will sometimes offer you an additional discount if you buy both gas and electricity from them. This can vary from being a fixed reduction in the overall bill to a special rate for one or other of the fuels you take.
• The benefit of convenience associated with dual fuel is that you only need to deal with one company should there be a bill query, complaint or when moving home. Certain suppliers will also offer the convenience of a single bill.

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2020 to 2021 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your supplier to find out.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2019 to 2020 closed on 31 March 2020. The 2020 to 2021 scheme will open on 12 October 2020.

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Eligibility
There are 2 ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

• you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit – known as the ‘core group’
• you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme – known as the ‘broader group’

How you apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depends on how you qualify for the discount.

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters
You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

Park (mobile) homes
Applications for winter 2019 to 2020 have now closed.

Fill in the Park Homes Warm Home Discount application form to be contacted when the scheme reopens.

Energy Suppliers
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:

• Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
• Angelic Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Atlantic – see SSE
• Avro Energy
• Beam Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Boost
• Bristol Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• British Gas
• Bulb Energy
• Citizen Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
• E (Gas and Electricity)
• E.ON
• Ebico – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Ecotricity – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• EDF Energy
• Fosse Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Great North Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Green Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
• Green Network Energy
• London Power – see Octopus Energy
• Lumo
• M&S Energy – see Octopus Energy
• npower
• nPower Select
• Octopus Energy
• OVO
• Powershop
• Pure Planet
• Qwest Energy – see Octopus Energy
• Ram Energy – only if you’re eligible for the core group
• Roar Power – see Octopus Energy
• Robin Hood Energy – only if you’re eligible for the core group
• Sainsbury’s Energy
• Scottish Hydro – see SSE
• ScottishPower
• Shell Energy
• So Energy
• Southend Energy – only if you’re eligible for the core group
• Southern Electric – see SSE
• Spark
• SSE
• Swalec – see SSE
• Symbio Energy
• The LECCY – only if you’re eligible for the core group
• Tonik Energy
• Utilita
• Utility Point – only if you’re eligible for the core group
• Utility Warehouse
• White Rose Energy – only if you’re eligible for the core group
• Your Energy Sussex – only if you’re eligible for the core group

Will my supply be cut off?
No, Ofgem will move you to a new supplier. Your energy supply won’t be disrupted and a new supplier will be appointed to you. They advise that you take a meter reading and not to do anything until they have appointed a new supplier and they have been in contact with you.

Who will choose my new supplier?
Ofgem will choose your new supplier, following a competitive process designed to get the best deal for you.

When will I know who the new supplier is and the date I’ll be switched to them?
Ofgem will make a decision on a new supplier as soon as possible and will announce these details on their website.

Ofgem will ask suppliers to bid to become the new supplier, so they can try and get the best possible deal for you in the circumstances.

After they have chosen them, you will be moved onto a new contract with the new supplier. It should only take them a few days to appoint a new supplier.

During this time, Ofgem’s advice is to sit tight, don’t switch and wait until your new supplier contacts you. This will make sure the process is as hassle free as possible for you, including securing the return of any outstanding credit balance you may have.

Once you have been contacted by your new supplier, you should ask them to put you on their cheapest deal or shop around if you are not happy with them. You won’t be charged exit fees.

For more information visit Ofgem’s guide – https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/ofgem-safety-net-if-your-energy-supplier-goes-out-business

Doing a gas and electricity comparison takes just a few minutes but it could lead to a significant cut in bills. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your current contract and we’ll take it from there.

Have your latest bill to hand as it will contain all the information you need.

The switching process takes up to 21 days, but some switches take as little as 16 days.

Your new supplier will also handle the entire switching process from the moment you decide to switch. They’ll speak to your existing provider and let them know you’re switching and the two of them will work together to ensure your energy switch goes smoothly.

The only things you’ll need to do is confirm that you really do want to switch, take meter readings for each provider and settle any outstanding bills you may have.

Your new supplier will use all the existing pipes, ducts and cables so there’s no need for any disruption and you won’t be cut off at any point in the process.

You also have a 14-day cooling off period so it’s ok to change your mind – just make sure you let the new supplier know you want to cancel before those 14 days are up.

To ensure you get the best gas and electric tariffs on offer as well as value for money, you’ll need to consider:

• Cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) – gas and electricity are both measured in kWh and suppliers will charge you for every unit you use so always compare what this is.
• Standing charges – most (but not all) suppliers will include a daily standing charge, which is the amount it costs to supply gas and electricity to your home irrespective of how much energy you actually use. Standing charges differ by provider so it’s important to double check what it is. You may find that providers offering very cheap electricity and gas rates per kilowatt hour actually have quite a high standing charge – pushing up the overall price.

It’s always best to make sure you settle any outstanding bills before you switch.

If you’re heavily in debt with your current supplier they may not let you switch until you’ve paid off what you owe, but this is usually at their discretion.

If you pay your gas and electricity provider directly and it’s your name on the bills, then yes, you can switch gas and electricity supplier. Before you do, it’s a good idea to let your landlord know and to check the terms of your tenancy. Some landlords may have a preferred supplier, or there might be a clause that requires you to switch back to the original provider when your tenancy comes to an end.

If your landlord pays your bills for you and you then pay them back, you can’t automatically switch gas and electricity. Instead, speak to your landlord about the benefits of a better gas and electric deal

Yes, and it can be great opportunity to make the switch. On moving day, note down your gas and electricity meter readings at your old home and your new home – you’ll need these to ensure you only pay for the energy you’ve used yourself.

When you’re in your new home, it’s likely you’ll initially be put on the energy provider’s SVT. When you’re settled, you can then search for new tariffs to suit you.