Utilities Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I switch my energy supplier?
- How do I switch my energy supplier?
- How long will it take to switch my energy supplier?
- How often can I switch my energy supplier?
- If I want to switch, do I need to contact my existing energy supplier?
- Will my energy supply be interrupted, and will any new pipes or equipment be needed if I switch?
- When should I cancel my existing direct debit?
- What if I'm in debt to my current energy supplier? Can I still switch?
- What if I change my mind and want to cancel my energy switch?
- How do you calculate how much money I will save by switching?
- Is there a charge for switching through BeatThatQuote.com?
- Is BeatThatQuote.com a secure website?
- What happens if my energy comparison produces no results?
- I live in Northern Ireland, can I compare utilities?
- Can I get gas and electricity from the same company?
- How can I find out who currently supplies my gas and electricity?
- What is my MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number)? How do I find mine?
- What is my MPAN (Electricity Supply Number)? How do I find mine?
- What if I have special needs? Will these be catered for by my new energy supplier?
- What is Consumer Focus?
- What is Ofgem?
- Who do I contact if I have a complaint about my new energy supplier?
About switching
About BeatThatQuote.com's switching service
About energy supply and regulation in the UK
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About switching
1. Why should I switch my energy supplier?
Switching energy suppliers may help to reduce household bills. Energy companies compete with one another for a larger share of the market by offering new customers competitive deals on gas and electricity. This means that those who stay loyal to one provider for a long period of time may not be on the cheapest tariff available.
2. How do I switch my energy supplier?
First figure out which supplier you want to move to and let it know you'd like to open an account. It will then contact your old supplier to let it know you're switching. You'll need to give a meter reading to your new supplier so it can make sure your first bill is accurate and also give this reading to your current supplier so it can issue you with your final bill.
3. How long will it take to switch my energy supplier?
The online switching process should take just a few minutes, but once you've signed up with a new supplier, it can take up to 12 weeks for everything to switch over from your old supplier. However, it's often done in between four and six weeks.
4. How often can I switch my energy supplier?
You can change energy suppliers as often as you like, but if you're on a fixed-term contract, you may have to pay termination fees for breaking the contract early. You may want to compare energy prices regularly, switching if you find you could save money.
5. If I want to switch, do I need to contact my energy supplier?
Usually, no – your new supplier should do this for you. Your existing supplier will probably contact you directly to confirm your switch and ask for a meter reading.
6. Will my energy supply be interrupted, and will any new pipes or equipment be needed if I switch?
All energy suppliers use the pipes, meters and equipment already installed in your home, so there should be no interruption to your supply.
7. When should I cancel my existing direct debit?
After you've paid your final bill to your existing energy supplier.
8. What if I'm in debt to my current energy supplier? Can I still switch?
Your current energy supplier has the right to object to the switch if there's a debt on the account. Once you've cleared all outstanding debts with your current supplier, the switch should be able to go ahead.
9. What if I change my mind and want to cancel my energy switch?
As a residential customer, you can stop the switch within 14 days from the date you entered into the new contract. Call the energy supplier you were going to switch to and let it know you've changed your mind.
About BeatThatQuote.com's switching service
10. How do you calculate how much money I will save by switching?
You'll be asked to enter details from your latest energy bill, including the cost and how many units of energy you have used. Our comparison tool will then search through the rates of different energy providers to see whether you could have paid less elsewhere for your energy. You can then subtract the lower rate from the rate you paid with your current supplier to see how much you could potentially save.
11. Is there a charge for switching through BeatThatQuote.com?
BeatThatQuote.com won't charge you for comparing gas and electricity prices. We're able to provide our comparison service for free because we receive a small commission from the supplier you choose if you go ahead and switch through our site. However, this commission never influences how we present the results of your energy price comparison.
12. Is BeatThatQuote.com a secure website?
Yes. When you're required to enter sensitive personal information, such as your address or bank details, this will be protected. Depending on which browser you use, you'll notice the internet address bar at the top of your screen turns green at this stage of the switching process, which signals your internet connection is secure. The first few letters of the web address in the bar will also change from ‘http’ to ‘https’. The ‘s’ stands for secure.
13. What happens if my energy comparison produces no results?
If our switching service can't provide you with an energy price comparison, this is usually because the information you have given us indicates your energy consumption is too high. This can happen if you're trying to compare energy prices for a commercial property or business premises. In this situation, please call our customer service team on 0845 652 1546.
14. I live in Northern Ireland, can I compare utilities?
Unfortunately, this service is currently only available for England, Scotland and Wales.
About energy supply and regulation in the UK
15. Can I get gas and electricity from the same company?
A lot of energy companies offer dual fuel packages – where you get both your electricity and gas from the same provider. You may find it's cheaper to pay for your energy in this way, as opposed to using one supplier for gas and another for electricity. However, it may not be possible for you to choose dual fuel if, for example, you live in a part of the UK where there isn't access to mains gas.
16. How can I find out who currently supplies my gas and electricity?
If an energy bill is posted to your address, the company named at the top is your current supplier. If you don't receive a bill, you can find out who your current gas supplier is by ringing the Meter Point Administration Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524. Finding out who supplies your electricity may be more complicated, especially if it comes from a separate provider. You may need to contact your local electricity distribution company. A list of which companies distribute electricity to each area of the UK can be found on the Consumer Focus website.
17. What is an MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number)? How do I find mine?
This is a six to 10-digit number used to identify the unique gas supply point at a property. The number remains with your property and won't change if you switch from one supplier to another. You can find your MPRN on any bill issued by your gas supplier.
18. What is my MPAN (Electricity Meter Point Administration Number)? How do I find mine?
It's a unique 21-digit number found on an electricity meter. Your MPAN can be found on the electricity bill issued by your supplier and is sometimes referred to as a supply number.
19. What if I have special needs? Will these be catered for by my new energy supplier?
All energy suppliers have to follow an industry code of practice that governs the way in which the elderly, chronically ill and those with a disability are catered for. This code of practice also ensures that energy suppliers assist customers who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hearing-impaired. In addition, the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Power and npower) all offer social energy tariffs. These are designed to help vulnerable customers save money.
20. What is Consumer Focus?
Consumer Focus is a statutory organisation whose purpose is to campaign for a fairer deal for consumers. It absorbed the work of the old consumer energy watchdog, Energywatch, in 2008. Consumer Focus has the power to investigate consumers' complaints about energy suppliers.
21. What is Ofgem?
Ofgem is the UK's energy market regulator. Its job is to protect consumers by promoting competition among energy suppliers, ensuring there is adequate investment in the UK's gas and electricity networks and that vulnerable people (such as older and disabled people and those on low incomes) get a fair deal on energy.
22. Who do I contact if I have a complaint about my new energy supplier?
It may be wise to complain to the new supplier first. If you're dissatisfied with the company's response, contact Consumer Direct, which may provide you with advice and information on how to progress your complaint.
* At least 10% of customers who switched saved a minimum of £397 per year when arranging a dual fuel energy transfer using our services during the period 1 January 2011 to 30 September 2011.
**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**
