Uswitch

Uswitch and Save - switch energy company and save £££ - don't get lulled by laziness - check out how simple it is to save money on your fuel bills *just* by changing company.

uSwitch.com
Energy Price Comparison Calculator

USwitch -

Gas & electricity
You can save an average of £140 a year
Home phone
You can save up to 90% on your phone bill
Digital TV
You can find your best value TV package

Energy Price Comparison Calculator

Save moneyENERGY HOMEPAGE - You can save an average of £140 a year

Save Money on your Electricity Bill

Compare prices of all your local suppliers, select the best value deal and switch

Save Money on your gas bill

DIGITAL TV savings

Save money on HOME TELEPHONE

uSwitch.com is a free, impartial online comparison service which helps consumers compare prices on gas, electricity, home telephone and digital television. Our aim is to help customers take advantage of the best tariffs and services on offer from every supplier. The company has developed a calculator which evaluates a number of factors including price, location, service and payment method, and advises consumers on the best deal to suit their needs. If they chose to, consumers can switch while they’re online or phone customer services direct.

The average household could save £140 off their energy bills if they changed supplier. Click here to find out how much you could save.

Save Money on your Electricity Bill

What's involved?

Switching suppliers is simple. The process is as follows:

Compare all of the suppliers and packages using the uSwitch.com calculators.
Select the most suitable option and fill in your personal details (these pages are secure). To compare and sign up takes around five minutes.
uSwitch.com will send you an email to confirm the switch.
The details are processed and forwarded to the supplier.
The supplier will contact you to confirm the date your new service will commence. This takes 28-45 days for an energy switch.
Our customer service team is available to help throughout the process.

You can contact the uSwitch Customer Service Desk on:

Tel: 0845 601 2856
Fax: 020 7233 5933
Email: customerservices@uswitch.com

I've heard switching is complicated, I'm worried

Don’t be – around 100,000 people switch their gas and/or electricity suppliers every week and 90% of them say switching is easy, according to an independent MORI survey.

Will there be any interruption to my supply?

No. Your new supplier will continue to use exactly the same wires, pipes, and meters as you currently use. Your new supplier will also contact your existing supplier to arrange the transfer of your supply. The only change you will notice is that your bill will come from a different supplier.

If I decide to switch do I need to contact my current supplier?

Your new supplier will arrange the transfer for you, however, you should ensure that your new supplier takes a final meter reading at the date of transfer so your current supplier can produce a final bill.

How do I know if my new, chosen supplier is reliable?

Check the "Service Rating" uSwitch.com provides for each energy supplier in the UK.

When should I cancel my Direct Debit with my current supplier?

You should cancel your Direct Debit authority with your current supplier when you have paid your final bill and confirmed the transfer of your supply.

Do I have to change suppliers?

No. If you do not wish to change energy suppliers you will continue to receive electricity and gas from your current providers. However, they might not be providing the best deal for you.

Can I get gas and electricity from the same supplier?

Yes. Many suppliers now supply both gas and electricity and offer combined plans that include incentives, discounts or reduced prices. These plans are often referred to as "dual fuel" deals.

I'm not sure who my current supplier is, how can I find out?

If you are not sure who is currently supplying gas and/or electricity to your property, you should:

Review any recent bills you may have paid;
Contact the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524 and they will tell you who your current Gas supplier is.
Ask your landlord or letting agency, or alternatively contact your regional electricity supplier – you can obtain their phone number from directory enquiries.
Can I change if I'm in debt to my current supplier?

If you are in debt to your current supplier, or have a bill outstanding for more than 28 days, you may be unable to switch until you have paid the outstanding amount.

I'm moving house - what do I need to do?

Firstly, you should notify your existing gas and electricity suppliers that you are moving, and arrange for a final meter reading to be taken, and a final bill to be issued.

Now identify who supplies your new home with gas and electricity, either by asking the previous owners or tenants, or your landlord or letting agency. If you are still unsure, contact the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524 to find out who supplies gas to your property. Your regional electricity supplier will be able to tell you who supplies electricity to your new home – you can get their phone number from directory enquiries.

Once you have these details, use uSwitch.com to find the best deal for your new property, tailored to your individual requirements.

MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) – what is it, and how do I find it?

Your MPRN is the unique identifying number of the Gas meter at your property. Your MPRN is a 10 digit number, commonly referred to as an "M" number, and can be found on your gas bill. If you can't locate your MPRN, you can call the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524.

MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) – what is it, and how do I find it?

Your MPAN is the unique identifying number of the Electricity meter at your property. Your MPAN is commonly referred to as a "Supply Number" or "S" number, and it can be found on your electricity bill. If you can't locate your "S" number, you should contact your current electricity supplier, who will be able to tell you the number. An example of an MPAN is shown below.

Service Rating – what is it, and how is it calculated for each company?

uSwitch.com has developed an impartial rating system which assesses the quality of service provided by energy suppliers. Each company is measured on their range of services, current and past performance and their record with the regulator. The rankings provide a percentage for each fuel type for each supplier, with 100 per cent being the best and 10 per cent being the worst. To achieve a high rating a supplier must offer a range of services including varying payment methods, call centre support and extras such as green energy tariffs. In addition, they must not have had any actions taken against by regulatory bodies in the previous six months.

What do I do if I have a gas leak or power cut after I've switched?

It makes no difference who you have switched from and to – the same emergency procedures apply. Your new electricity supplier will give you a 24-hour emergency help number, which you should phone if you think there is a supply or safety problem. Transco is responsible within the UK for handling all gas emergencies. The freephone number is 0800 111 999.

I have special needs – will my new supplier provide the services I require?

All suppliers are required to comply with an industry code of practice governing the way in which they deal with elderly, disabled and chronically ill customers. They must also provide facilities to assist blind and partially sighted customers, and also deaf and hearing impaired customers.

I am a prepayment customer. Can I change suppliers?

You can change suppliers, but this service is not available with uSwitch.com at the present time. Prepayment customers will be able to use uSwitch.com in the near future.

Can I change to an Economy 7 Meter?

You can change to Economy 7, but this involves a change of meter so, you will need to contact your existing supplier to arrange this. Your supplier may charge you for this service. Once you have changed meter, uSwitch.com will show you the best Economy 7 deal.

Who deals with complaints about my new supplier?

If you have a complaint, you should try and resolve it with your supplier directly. If you are not satisfied with their response, you can contact energywatch (www.energywatch.org.uk), the consumer watchdog for the gas and electricity industries. They can be contacted by writing to energywatch, Abford House, 15 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LT, or by phone on 08459 060708 (gas) and 08456 013131 (electricity).

What about Energy Efficiency?

Efficient use of energy in your home is important for you to consider, since this can help you save money and help the environment. Many energy companies have energy efficiency programmes and you may be eligible for a grant from the government. You can obtain information on energy efficiency programmes from the Energy Savings Trust (www.est.org.uk) or from your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012.

What is Ofgem?

Ofgem, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, is the independent regulator of the gas and electricity industries. Ofgem was formed in June 1999 by combining the functions of the former Office of Gas Supply (OFGAS) and the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER). The body was set up by the government to protect the interests of all gas and electricity customers, and to promote competition in the supply and regulation of the gas and electricity industries throughout Great Britain. Ofgem can be contacted on 020 7901 7000, or by post at Ofgem, 9 Millbank, London SW1P 3GE. Alternatively, visit their website at www.ofgem.gov.uk.