1. What type of energy your bill includes
In this example, the bill payer has both an electricity and gas (dual fuel) bill. Electricity is in pink and gas is in blue.
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What information do I need to switch from npower?
When it comes to switching energy suppliers, all the information you need is right there on your bill. This includes:
- Your supplier name
- The name of your current tariff
- Whether you pay monthly or quarterly
- Your energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) or pounds
Our guide below shows you where to find the information you need to switch suppliers.
2. The name of your energy supplier
In this case, it’s npower.
3. What’s the name of your current tariff?
In this example, the tariff name is ‘Price Fix August 2018 Elec DD/Gas DD’.
When using our energy supplier comparison tool, you’ll find your tariff from our drop-down list. If you can’t find the exact name, then pick one that’s closest to your current tariff.
4. If you’re switching electricity, do you have an Economy 7 meter? (you can skip parts 4 and 5 if you’re only switching gas)
This isn’t always obvious on your bill at first. If you do have an Economy 7 meter, your electricity bill will usually be divided into two sections - one for day usage and one for night usage.
In this example, the bill payer doesn’t have an Economy 7 meter.
5. Do you have an Economy 7 meter?
Another way to see if you have an Economy 7 meter is by looking at the electricity supply number on your bill. Typically, it will have 02 in the second box.
In this example, the box has 01, so it isn’t an Economy 7 meter.
6. How do you pay for your energy?
We’ll need to know your chosen payment method: via direct debit, payment when you receive your bill, or payment meter.
In this example, the payment method is monthly Direct Debit.
7. How much energy do you use?
This section shows your estimated usage over the next 12 months.
8. Your tariff end date
This shows when your current tariff is due to end. Ofgem’s Fairer Treatment Standards now prevents energy suppliers charging an exit fee if you have fewer than 49 days until the end of your fixed term tariff.
9. Exit fees
If you decide to switch more than 49 days before your tariff is due to end, you may be charged an early cancellation exit fee. In this case, there is no exit fee.
10. Your remaining balance
Finally, in order to switch you’ll need to pay off any remaining balance from your bill. But don’t worry, you can pay this once you’ve switched.
Part of the switch process involves a meter reading on the day of the switch. If you’re in debit you’ll be sent a final bill from your old supplier. If you’re in credit you should receive a refund for the remaining amount owed to you.
In this case, the bill payer is in debit and still owes £245.23.
Why is my npower bill so complicated?
As energy bills go, npower has tried to keep its statements as clear and easy to understand as possible. The information on the npower bill gives customers greater visibility and a clear breakdown of tariffs, usage and cost, which helps them make an informed decision when it comes to switching. It's just the amount of information available that makes it seem complex.
Why is my npower bill so expensive?
As well as supplying energy to your home, npower also has other direct costs to consider, such as VAT, government environmental programmes, wholesale costs and profit and loss.
Can I reduce my energy usage?
There are various ways to help cut down your energy usage. Even the smallest changes can have a direct impact on your energy costs and carbon footprint, such as:
- Turning your thermostat down by one degree
- Fitting a smart meter
- Replacing standard lightbulbs with energy-efficient LEDs
- Turning off appliances when not in use rather than leaving them on standby
Check out our energy-saving tips for more advice on energy efficiency in the home.
Should I cancel my npower contract and switch supplier?
Ultimately, it’s up to you, but if there are savings to be made, it’s definitely worth considering. npower is bound by Ofgem rules to tell customers about their own cheaper tariffs. But who’s to say you won’t find a better deal elsewhere? It's worth comparing to see which are the cheapest available tariffs on the market. But if you'll have to pay an exit penalty, just make sure that any savings will be worth it.
To help you, we take exit fees (where we know them) into account when calculating savings. You can also switch to a cheaper tariff with the same supplier online.
And switching doesn’t just have to be about money. It could also be about getting a better customer service or choosing a supplier that actively sources renewable energy.
If you do switch, remember you’ll have the backing of the Energy Switch Guarantee which is a promise that changing supplier will be swift and painless. Some changeovers happen in just 17 days.
Why should I compare energy?
You'll easily be able to see if you can save money on your power bills by finding a cheaper tariff. It's easy to shop around and compare energy suppliers. Having a bill at hand makes getting an accurate quote really simple, so you can get a clear idea of how much you could potentially save.
Our step-by-step process couldn’t be simpler. And for extra peace of mind you’ll have the backing of the Energy Switch Guarantee which is a promise that changing supplier will be swift and painless. Some changeovers happen in just 17 days.
By using our comparison service, you could save up to £210** on your annual energy bill.
**Where a saving can be achieved 50% of people could achieve a saving of £210 on their dual fuel energy costs based on Compare the Market data in August 2019.