Skip to content Compare gas and electricity prices — then switch online
As a homeowner, keeping your energy costs low is important to make sure you’re not overpaying for your gas and electricity usage. We make it easy for you to compare gas and electricity prices from different suppliers and switch to a better deal.
Here’s what you need to do to start comparing energy prices:
Switching your gas and electricity suppliers can be a smart financial move, but there are other benefits too. Here are some reasons why you should consider switching:
There are many ways to keep your energy costs down, such as:
There are different types of energy tariffs available, including fixed-rate tariffs, variable rate tariffs, and green energy tariffs. Here are some things to consider when choosing an energy tariff:
The best energy supplier for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some factors to consider when choosing an energy supplier include:
It’s important to run an energy comparison regularly because the fixed deals are not always the cheapest option; compare live tariffs for your usage and region. If you don’t switch energy suppliers when your contract ends, you’ll be rolled on to a Standard Variable Tariff which will charge a more expensive rate. Most suppliers update their rates and deals frequently, so switching is a great way to reduce your energy bills. Here are some reasons why you should compare energy prices:
Answer: This page is for people in Great Britain who pay a domestic gas and/or electricity bill and want to check whether another household tariff would cost them less — after standing charges, unit rates and any exit fees — then switch online if it does.
It is written for homeowners, tenants whose tenancy makes them responsible for energy, dual-fuel households, and people on a single-fuel supply (electricity-only or gas-only). It also covers households on a default / standard variable tariff (SVT) protected by the Ofgem energy price cap, and people coming to the end of a fixed deal.
It is not for business energy. Shops, offices, warehouses and other non-domestic meters are priced and contracted differently. The domestic price cap does not set commercial rates. Use business energy comparison instead.
Northern Ireland is regulated separately; Ofgem’s domestic price cap applies to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) only.
A comparison takes a few minutes. The switch itself is handled by the new supplier. For most homes it is an administrative change: the same pipes and wires keep supplying you. Typical timing on the how to switch energy supplier guide: suppliers must complete a home switch within 5 working days, with a 14-day cooling-off period on most domestic tariffs.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Unit rates (p/kWh) | Most of the bill for higher users |
| Standing charges (p/day) | A larger share of the bill if you use little energy |
| Exit fees and fix end date | Leaving early can wipe out an apparent saving |
| Payment method | Direct Debit is often priced differently from standard credit or prepay |
| Dual fuel vs single fuel | One supplier for both is convenient; separate deals can be cheaper |
You do not need a smart meter to switch. Prepayment customers can usually switch, though the range of tariffs may be narrower. If you are in debt, check current Ofgem and Citizens Advice guidance before you apply — some prepayment debts can move with you; larger arrears often need resolving first.
Using this comparison is free for you. Like most UK comparison services, EnergySwitch may earn a commission or affiliate fee from a supplier or partner if you switch, sign up, or buy through a link on this site. That fee is paid by the business you go on to deal with, not added as a separate charge on your energy bill.
We compare energy suppliers independently. Rankings and recommendations are based on published methodology, not paid placement. The unit rates and standing charges you are quoted should be the tariff prices for that deal — you should not pay a different kWh rate because you came via EnergySwitch.
A comparison site can only complete a switch to tariffs it is able to offer. If you want a whole-of-market check as well, you can compare here and, if you wish, look at independent tools such as Citizens Advice. You can also switch directly with a supplier. For the legal wording on affiliate links, see our terms of use.
This is a worked example to show the method. It is not a live tariff, not a promise of savings, and not a claim that any named supplier is cheapest.
Take a medium dual-fuel household using Ofgem’s 2026 typical consumption values — about 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas — paying by Direct Debit on a default tariff. Ofgem’s typical annual level for that profile is about £1,663 for 1 July – 30 September 2026, and about £1,723 from 1 October – 31 December 2026. Source: Ofgem (same figures as our energy price cap hub). Your bill will differ with region, meter and actual kWh.
| Scenario (illustrative) | What you would do |
|---|---|
| You are on the capped SVT, and a 12-month fix quotes below your estimated annual cost with no exit fee to leave | The difference between the two estimated annual costs is the switching saving to test — not a guaranteed figure. Apply only if the full terms (standing charges, exit fees, payment method) still look better. |
| You are on a fix that has three months left and a £70-per-fuel exit fee | Add the exit fees to the cost of leaving. If they cancel out the gap versus the new quote, waiting until the fix ends is often cheaper. |
| You use far less than 2,500 / 9,500 kWh | Standing charges matter more than the “typical bill” headline. A tariff with a lower standing charge can beat a tariff with a slightly lower unit rate. |
Do not use the £1,663 / £1,723 figures as your bill. They are Ofgem’s illustrative annual totals if those capped rates were sustained for a year at typical use. Run a comparison with your own kWh before you switch.
Switching is optional. It is the wrong move when:
The price cap is a safety net for default tariffs, not a reason to avoid looking. Fixed deals sit outside the cap; they can be lower or higher than capped SVT rates. Ofgem has noted that fixed tariffs are often available below the October capped level — always verify with a personalised quote. For no-cost ways to use less as well as pay a lower rate, see energy saving advice.
Start a household comparison — enter your postcode and usage. That is the only reliable way to see whether a live tariff beats what you pay now.
Enter your postcode, payment method and annual usage (or a recent bill) into a comparison, then line up unit rates, standing charges and exit fees against your current tariff. If a quote is lower for your actual kWh after fees, you can switch online. Suppliers must complete a home switch within 5 working days, and it should not interrupt supply.
No. Changing supplier is an administrative change of who bills you. Gas and electricity still flow through the same network. Power cuts are network issues, not a result of switching.
The comparison is free for you. EnergySwitch may earn a commission or affiliate fee from a supplier or partner if you switch or buy through this site. Rankings are based on published methodology, not paid placement. You can also switch directly with a supplier if you prefer.
It depends on your tariff, not the calendar. The October 2026 cap change affects default (SVT) rates — the typical Direct Debit dual-fuel level moves from about £1,663 to about £1,723 a year (Ofgem). If you are already on a competitive fix, that rise may not apply to you. If you are on a default tariff, compare live fixes against your own usage rather than waiting automatically.
Usually yes, if you are responsible for paying the energy bills and the account is in your name. You do not normally need the landlord’s permission in that case. If energy is included in your rent, the landlord chooses the supplier.
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