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Answer: To switch energy supplier in the UK, compare tariffs with your postcode and usage, choose a deal, and sign up online. Your new supplier handles the switch, which suppliers must complete within 5 working days, and you have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel. Your gas or electricity supply is not interrupted.
Last updated: 5 October 2026
Who can switch energy supplier?
If you pay the energy bills, you can usually switch. Tenants can switch when the tenancy makes them responsible for supply. If your landlord pays, they choose the supplier. Joint account holders should agree before switching. Moving house? See our guide to setting up or switching energy when you move home.
Business sites follow a similar idea, but with different contracts, notice periods and letters of authority — use business energy comparison for commercial quotes.
Step-by-step: how to switch energy supplier
- Gather a few details — postcode, current supplier (if known), payment method, and recent usage or a bill. Smart meter readings help but are not required.
- Compare tariffs — look at unit rates, standing charges, exit fees, fixed vs variable, and whether dual fuel or single fuel is cheaper for you. Check how a quote sits against the Ofgem energy price cap if you are on a default tariff.
- Choose a deal and apply — confirm your details online. You get a 14-day cooling-off period on most domestic switches.
- Let the suppliers handle the rest — the new supplier contacts your old one. Ofgem says suppliers must complete the switch within 5 working days; if they do not, your new supplier must pay you £40.
- Final bill — your old supplier sends a closing bill. Any debt is still owed to them unless a specific scheme says otherwise. If you owe money or are in credit, read switching energy supplier in debt or in credit first.
How long does a switch take?
| Topic | Typical domestic position |
|---|---|
| Time to complete | Within 5 working days if you ask to switch straight away, and your new supplier must pay you £40 if it takes longer (Ofgem). If you choose to wait until your 14-day cooling-off period ends, the switch happens within 5 working days after that: up to about 21 days after you agree the contract. |
| Cooling-off period | 14 days, starting the day after you agree the contract. You can still cancel if the switch has already happened: your new supplier must explain your options, including going back to your old supplier on equivalent terms (Citizens Advice). |
| Supply interruption | None — switching is administrative; energy still flows through the same network |
| Smart meters | Not required to switch; some meters may temporarily lose “smart” features until reconnect |
Business switches can be quicker or slower depending on contracts and paperwork.
Can I switch energy supplier with a smart meter?
Yes. A smart meter doesn’t stop you switching, and you don’t need a new meter to switch. You also don’t need a smart meter: you can switch with a traditional meter and send readings yourself.
Before you switch, check whether your meter will keep working in “smart mode” (sending readings automatically) with the new supplier. Citizens Advice has a checker. After a switch it can take a few weeks for your account to be set up and for readings to appear on your bill. If the new supplier can’t read an older first-generation meter, you may need to send readings manually until it is upgraded remotely.
Fixed tariffs, exit fees and the best time to switch
If you are on a fixed deal, check the end date and any exit fee before leaving early. Many people switch when a fix ends, or if they are on a standard variable tariff (SVT) protected by the Ofgem price cap but can still find a cheaper fix.
The current typical Direct Debit dual-fuel Ofgem price-cap level is about £1,723 a year (1 October – 31 December 2026). The previous period (1 July – 30 September 2026) was about £1,663. A competitive fixed deal can still undercut those capped rates — compare with your real kWh, not the headline alone.
January–March 2027 rates are not official yet (Ofgem due by 25 November). Treat third-party £1,999-style headlines as forecasts — detail in our January 2027 energy price cap forecast.
See our guides to the energy price cap and cheapest energy deals.
If you are weighing a winter fix against the current capped SVT, use our checklist in should I fix my energy deal before winter 2026, then follow the switch steps on this page if a personalised quote wins after fees.
When you compare quotes into winter, remember GB domestic electricity is temporarily zero-rated for VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 (gas stays at 5%). See VAT off electricity October 2026 before reading unit rates across periods.
Prepayment meters
You can usually switch with a prepayment meter, though tariff choice may be narrower. Rules on debt can limit switching if you owe more than allowed thresholds — Citizens Advice and Ofgem explain the latest limits. Always check current guidance before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch energy supplier in the UK?
Compare tariffs using your postcode and usage, pick a deal that beats your current rates after any exit fees, and apply online. Your new supplier manages the switch with your old one. Suppliers must complete a home switch within 5 working days, and most domestic tariffs include a 14-day cooling-off period.
Does switching interrupt my gas or electricity?
No. Switching is an administrative change of supplier. Power cuts are network issues, not caused by changing supplier.
Can I switch if I am in debt?
Sometimes. Small prepayment debts may still allow a switch; larger debts or credit-meter arrears often need resolving first. Check current Ofgem and Citizens Advice guidance for thresholds and options.
What is the cooling-off period when switching energy?
Most domestic customers have 14 days to cancel, starting the day after you agree the contract. If you cancel within cooling-off, you typically stay with (or return to) your previous arrangements as explained in the contract paperwork.
Should I switch after the October 2026 price-cap change?
It depends on your tariff. If you are already on a competitive fixed deal, the October 2026 SVT rates may not affect you. If you are on a default tariff, compare live fixed deals against your current capped rates — savings (if any) come from the quote, not from the calendar alone. Use comparison with your usage.
Should homes and businesses switch the same way?
The idea is similar, but business contracts, notice periods and letters of authority differ. Use our business energy comparison for commercial quotes.
Do I need to cancel my old energy supplier when I switch?
No. Your new supplier arranges the switch and tells your old supplier. Give both a meter reading on the switch day. Your old supplier will then send a final bill and refund any credit left on your account.
Will I pay an exit fee to switch energy supplier?
Only if you leave a fixed tariff early and it has exit fees. If you have 49 days or less left on a fixed tariff you can switch without paying one. Standard variable tariffs, including those under the price cap, have no exit fees.
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