Energy comparison
Time to switch up your energy bills
- You could save on your energy bills by switching to a new tariff
- Compare the latest prices from energy suppliers
- Enjoy fantastic rewards when you switch through us*
Should I switch energy supplier?
The energy market has been highly volatile lately, so there haven’t been as many competitive deals around for some time.
But that’s slowly starting to change, with the launch of new fixed tariffs.
This means you may be able to find deals that are cheaper than the energy price cap.
A typical household energy bill will rise to £1,738 from 1 January 2025 under the new price cap. If you’re on a standard variable tariff – which most people are at the moment – it could be a good idea to compare energy prices on different tariffs.
But it’s hard to say whether you’ll save money in the long run, even if you switch, as gas and electricity prices are still so unpredictable.
How do I compare energy prices?
You can use Compare the Market to compare energy suppliers simply by typing in your postcode. This will give you your estimated energy spend using industry-wide data.
You can update anything that doesn’t look right, then use this information to do an energy comparison.
A results table will appear on screen, showing you which energy tariffs could be available to you. It will also show how much you could save compared with your current deal.
If you decide the time is right to switch, you’ll just need to provide a few details about yourself, including your name, contact number and payment details. Your energy supplier will take care of the rest.
Sign up to our switch alerts to keep an eye on the cheapest energy suppliers and see when new deals become available.
How do I know which supplier is right for me?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether an energy supplier is right for you:
- Is the deal they’re offering below the energy price cap?
- Do you want to switch to a fixed-rate deal, given the uncertainty about future prices?
- Does the provider have a good reputation for customer service?
- What’s the company’s record when it comes to green energy and renewables?
- Does the provider charge exit fees if you leave a tariff early?
How long will it take to switch energy suppliers?
It should take no longer than five working days to switch energy suppliers under the Energy Switch Guarantee.
Compare energy deals today and see if you could save on your gas and electricity bills.
What happens when I switch?
Your gas and electricity supply will carry on as normal when you switch energy suppliers. The only thing that changes is where your bills come from.
What if I change my mind about switching?
You’ll have a 14-day cooling-off period, starting from when you agree your new contract. You can cancel without a penalty during this time.
Find out how easy it is to switch energy suppliers in our full guide.
What is the energy price cap?
The energy price cap is a limit on the unit rate and standing charge that suppliers can charge for their standard variable tariffs. The cap is set by the UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, and reviewed every three months.
The price cap from October to December 2024 was set at £1,717 a year for a typical household. But from 1 January 2025, the new energy price cap will take effect. This will cap energy prices for a typical usage household at:
- £1,738 for those paying by direct debit
- £1,690 for those with a prepayment meter
- £1,851 for those who pay on receipt of their bill.
However, this doesn’t mean this is the maximum you’ll pay. The size of your bill depends on how much energy you use, where you live and how you pay. If you use more than the average household, you’ll pay more than the price cap. The cap may also increase over winter when it’s next reviewed.
The energy price cap doesn’t apply to households in Northern Ireland.
Why are energy prices so high?
The rapid rise in energy prices since 2022 was driven by a host of factors, including:
- Soaring inflation
- A shortage in supply
- Rising demand after the pandemic.
While prices have fallen since their peak in the summer of 2022, they’ve remained high compared with pre-pandemic levels. This can make finding the cheapest energy supplier tricky.
However, the energy price cap set by Ofgem prevents energy suppliers from raising prices past a certain point.
Will energy prices go down in 2025?
Ofgem’s latest £1,738 price cap is £21 more than the previous cap, a 1.2% rise to the average household’s current annual bill, but it is still lower than last winter.
This rise may may sting harder for those affected by the government’s plans to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners in England and Wales.
You can see the recent history of the energy price cap in the table below:
| Quarterly update period | Price cap level |
| 1 April to 30 June 2024 | £1,690 |
| 1 July to 30 September 2024 | £1,568 |
| 1 October to 31 December 2024 | £1,717 |
| 1 January to 31 March 2025 | £1,738 |
One of the best ways to find the cheapest energy supplier is by shopping around. Compare energy prices with Compare the Market to see if you can get a better energy deal.
How to save on your energy bills in the home
As well as comparing energy prices and choosing a cheaper tariff, you could also lower your bills by reducing the amount of energy you use. Here are five quick wins:
1. Adjust your boiler flow setting
If you have a combi boiler, the default flow temperature is normally set at around 70°C to 80°C. But reducing this to 60°C or lower could save you up to £65 a year.
2. Turn down your thermostat
Dropping the temperature of your heating by just 1°C could save you around £90 a year. But don’t go below 18°C as this could be potentially harmful to health.
3. Use an air fryer instead of an oven
Air fryers are compact so don’t take as long to heat up as ovens. That means cooking times are considerably reduced.
4. Wash clothes at lower temperatures
Today’s washing detergents are very effective at 30°C, so try to avoid washing laundry on a higher setting.
5. Don’t charge your phone overnight
Most smartphones charge fully in under three hours. So you’re wasting energy by plugging them in while you’re asleep.
We’ve put together some more of our best energy tips for keeping gas and electric costs down.
What our expert says...
"Soaring energy costs have been making life extremely difficult for many households. However, hopefully more deals will be coming onto the market soon. Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to contact your energy supplier if you’re struggling to see if you’re eligible for help with your energy bills."
- Dan Tremain, Energy and business energy expert
Compare business energy
You can compare business energy with Compare the Market. Simply answer a few questions and our trusted partner, business energy expert Bionic, will do most of the legwork. They’ll even arrange the switch for you.
Compare business energyJoin thousands of Trustpilot reviewers who save with Compare the Market
As of October 1st 2024, Compare the Market had an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 52,401 people who left a review on Trustpilot. The score 4.8 corresponds to the Star Label ‘Excellent’. Find out more
What support is available if I’m struggling with my energy bills?
Ofgem rules state that all energy suppliers must have plans in place to help customers who can’t afford to pay their bills.
These rules mean suppliers must offer payment plans that customers can afford. And you can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepay meter and can’t afford to top up. There are also grants available to some customers to help with energy bills.
If you’re having difficulties, contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. If you’re worried about what to say, take a look at the MoneyHelper guide to talking to your creditor.
For more information, see our guide on what to do if you can’t afford your energy bills.
You should also check whether you’re entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount.
Why switch gas and electricity providers?
There are several reasons to do an online gas and electricity comparison and consider switching your energy supplier:
Getting a better deal
Carrying out an energy price comparison and evaluating suppliers each year can potentially save you money on the cost of your gas and electricity.
Compare the Market is constantly monitoring the energy market so you can compare energy deals that might be right for you.
Better service
Even if you’re on a lower-cost contract already, you may be unhappy with your energy supplier’s service. Switching to a supplier with better customer service could fix this.
Greener energy
You might want a supplier that uses more renewable energy. With roughly 46% of the UK’s energy supply coming from renewables in 2023, green suppliers could soon offer some of the cheapest energy deals.
Which tariff is best for me?
It depends on what you want from an energy deal and your financial situation. There are several types of energy tariffs:
- Dual fuel – getting gas and electricity from the same supplier can be the cheapest option. It also means you’ll only have one bill to deal with.
- Green energy – if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can look at energy suppliers who specialise in wind, solar or other renewable sources to offset their carbon usage.
- Variable tariff – these tariffs fluctuate according to the market. So if prices go up, you’ll pay more. If they fall, you’ll save.
- Fixed rate tariff – these tariffs can make budgeting easier as the unit price of energy is fixed for a set period.
- Prepayment energy tariff – as the name suggests, you have to pay in advance for your energy with a prepayment tariff.
- Economy 7 tariff – an Economy 7 tariff can give you a cheaper rate for electricity during ‘off-peak’ hours, usually at night.
Can I compare gas and electricity prices separately from gas prices?
You can compare gas and electric quotes separately or together. While dual fuel is a popular way to keep your energy bundled together, you can also get gas and electricity from different providers.
Can I switch to a better deal?
Suppliers have started to launch new fixed tariffs, but energy prices remain high. That’s why it’s a good idea to compare different energy suppliers to get the cheapest energy tariff for you.
Compare energy suppliersFrequently asked questions
How often do energy prices change?
Energy prices change all the time. They reflect market supply and demand and fluctuate as a result. They’re also affected when wholesale costs change.
The current Ofgem energy price cap is set every three months. This reflects inflation as well as other underlying costs of energy.
Ofgem caps the unit price of gas and electricity for a typical household with a dual-fuel tariff, paid by direct debit.
But the amount you pay altogether will still depend on how much energy you use.
What’s the cheapest way to pay for gas and electricity?
The cheapest way to pay your gas and electric bill is usually via direct debit.
Where can I get the cheapest gas and electric?
This all depends on whether you choose to go on a fixed tariff or a price-capped tariff. Ultimately, the best way to save on gas and electricity is to shop around for cheap energy deals.
What is the difference between fixed and variable-rate tariffs?
The difference between a fixed and variable rate tariff is the unit cost. Fixed-rate tariffs will stay the same for an agreed length of time.
With variable tariffs, the unit cost can go up or down in line with changes in the wholesale energy market.
Is it easier to switch gas and electricity together?
Switching dual fuel or switching one energy type on its own are both simple when you use Compare the Market.
The only potential complication would be if you’re on a fixed-term contract that hasn’t yet expired. In this case, you may have to pay an exit penalty.
Can I switch energy supplier if I owe money?
If you have bills that are more than 28 days old, you might find that you can’t change energy supplier until you’ve paid them. But there are some exceptions.
For example, if you’re on a prepayment meter and you have debts of up to £500 on gas and £500 on electricity. The energy supplier you switch to will take on the debt and you will repay them instead.
How can I switch gas and electricity when moving home?
If you’re moving house and your existing deal is a good one, your energy supplier might let you move it to your new home. Just tell them the new address and the moving-in date.
On moving day, take a meter reading before you leave and give this to your supplier. This way, you can be sure your final bill will only reflect what you’ve used.
Be sure to also take a meter reading at your new home, so you won’t be paying for energy used by the previous owner.
Can I switch energy provider if I rent?
Tenants can switch energy providers if they pay the supplier directly for their gas and electricity.
If your landlord pays your energy bills then charges you, choosing the energy supplier is up to them. Although you can always ask them if it’s possible to switch to the cheapest energy supplier.
Can I get a smart meter if I switch gas and electricity?
It depends on what stage your gas and electricity supplier is at in their smart meter programme. The rollout is being managed by individual energy companies.
You can ask your current energy supplier for a smart meter and they’ll let you know if it’s possible to get one and when.
In the past, there have been some beneficial tariffs for smart meter users.
How can I find a green energy supplier?
When you compare energy suppliers with Compare the Market, you’ll be able to see tariffs for 100% renewable energy.
