Below are clear answers to the most common UK switching questions.
Yes, you can switch energy suppliers in the UK.
As long as your gas or electricity supply is active, you are free to move to a different supplier. Your energy supply will not be interrupted, and your existing supplier must cooperate with the switch.
Yes — almost everyone can switch energy supplier.
Homeowners, tenants, and people with smart meters can all switch. You do not need permission from your landlord, and your credit score is not usually affected unless you apply for a credit-based tariff.
Switching energy supplier usually takes 5 working days.
Once you choose a new tariff and supplier, the switch completes automatically. You can cancel within a 14-day cooling-off period if you change your mind.
The best time to switch is when your fixed tariff ends or prices fall.
If you are on a standard variable tariff, you can usually switch immediately. Checking deals when the price cap changes (April and October) can also help you save.
You should switch if you can get a cheaper or better tariff.
Many households save money by switching when deals are available. Comparing tariffs regularly helps ensure you are not overpaying on default or outdated plans.
Switching energy supplier is simple and done online.
Compare energy tariffs
Choose a new supplier
Apply online
Your new supplier handles the switch
You do not need to contact your old supplier, and your supply stays on throughout.
Yes, you can switch energy supplier with a debt in some cases.
If you owe less than £500 for electricity or £500 for gas, your debt can be transferred to the new supplier under the Debt Assignment Protocol.
Yes — tenants can switch energy suppliers.
You do not need landlord permission unless energy is included in your rent. The energy account must be in your name, and you must be responsible for paying the bills.
Switching energy supplier does not usually affect your credit score.
Most suppliers only run a soft credit check. A hard check may occur for certain fixed or credit-based tariffs, but switching itself does not damage your credit rating.
No — your gas and electricity supply will not be interrupted.
The switch happens in the background using the same pipes and wires. You will not notice any disruption during the process.
Your new supplier takes over your account automatically.
You submit meter readings, your final bill is issued by your old supplier, and future bills come from the new one. Everything else stays the same.
There is no single best month, but timing matters.
Switching when your tariff ends, or when new deals appear after price-cap updates, often delivers the best savings. Regular comparisons help catch new offers early.
The Energy Switch Guarantee is a voluntary scheme run by Energy UK, the trade association for the energy industry. Suppliers that sign up to it promise to switch you within five working days, to have the new supplier handle the whole move, to let you change your mind within 14 days, and to refund any credit within 14 days of your final bill. Not every supplier has signed up; Energy UK keeps the current list of signatories on its Energy Switch Guarantee page.
Please note: EnergySwitch.co.uk is not the Energy Switch Guarantee. We are a comparison and guides website. We are not part of the scheme, and we are not run by, endorsed by or affiliated with Energy UK. The names are similar only by coincidence.
Whether or not your supplier has signed up, Ofgem’s rules still apply: a switch should be completed within five working days, and if it isn’t, your new supplier must pay you £40 compensation (Ofgem). If something goes wrong, contact your new supplier first. If it isn’t sorted, you can take the complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.
For most UK households, yes.
Switching is quick, free, and low risk. Even small savings add up over time, especially for households on standard variable tariffs.
Last reviewed: 23 October 2026
Written by: EnergySwitch editorial team
Where relevant, this page reflects current UK energy guidance and market rules.
How our comparisons work: household energy comparisons on EnergySwitch run through The Energy Shop’s comparison tool, and business energy quotes come from Love Energy Savings. We may earn a commission if you switch through these links. Find out more about EnergySwitch.
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