Energy Comparison
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Could you benefit from a cheaper energy deal?
Do you know for certain that you’re on the most cost-effective energy tariff for your household? Energy comparison platforms compare every available energy supplier on the market and allow you to make an informed decision about the type of tariff, provider and energy source which is best for you.
Many households in the UK are wasting money by overpaying on their gas and electricity bills, solely because they haven’t undertaken any energy comparison to ensure that they’re on a cost-effective plan. Often, people believe that it is too complicated or time-consuming to compare available energy prices: but this simply isn’t true!
In 2020, 6 million customers decided to switch gas and electricity supplier: and you could join them! By using our energy comparison tool today, you can compare energy prices from energy suppliers available in your local area, and find yourself a cheaper deal than your current plan.
Before you switch, we’ll help you to understand the different types of tariffs available, so you can pick the best type of deal for you. Perhaps you want a dual fuel tariff to keep things simple, or you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint and want a green energy supplier?
What’s more, with our handy energy saving tips, you can ensure your home is energy efficient: saving you even more money on your gas and electricity each month.
Read our guide on cheaper gas and electric suppliers
The different types of energy deals
Dual fuel tariff
Having a dual fuel tariff means that you will get both your gas and electricity from one supplier, rather than having separate energy suppliers for each utility. In 2016, over 20 million people in the UK were paying for their gas and electricity using a dual fuel tariff, making it a popular way of managing your energy tariff.
Rather than having two separate gas and electricity bills, a dual fuel energy plan will combine your energy prices so you have one bill, and one point of contact for any energy queries. Often, dual fuel rates will come with a discount attached, as you’re providing the energy supplier with double the amount of business. However, this discount can be small in comparison to the size of the bill.
A dual tariff could work out more expensive than having two separate energy suppliers, as energy market prices are constantly fluctuating, so it’s always worth comparing market rates to ensure you’re getting a good deal.
The main benefits of choosing a dual fuel energy deal tend to be that it’s less hassle, and you’ll have one point of contact for your energy supplier: making any issues with your bill, the supplier or service easier to manage.
However, not all energy suppliers provide both gas and electricity, so by limiting yourself to a dual fuel deal, you may be missing out on some fantastic savings! For this reason, it’s really important that you don’t feel required to choose this tariff and make sure to compare energy prices before you switch.
If you’re unsure as to whether you’re currently on a dual fuel tariff, the first thing to do is to check who your energy supplier is for your gas and electricity. If you have the same provider for both, chances are you’re on a dual fuel deal: but to be certain, check your latest bill, which should specify your tariff type.
Fixed-rate tariff
If you like to be certain about how much you’ll be spending on gas and electricity each month, then a fixed-rate tariff could be the energy deal for you. Put simply, a fixed-rate or fixed-price energy tariff allows you to lock in a set price at the start of your contract, so you will pay the same price per kWh of energy for the entire duration of the contract (which is usually between 12 to 24 months).
Fixed-price tariffs were created so that customers had a secure option when choosing a new energy supplier, and wouldn’t have to endure a fluctuating marketplace. Wholesale energy prices are changing constantly and it can be a slightly volatile marketplace: meaning that prices can fall and increase without much warning.
By having a fixed-price contract with your energy supplier, you have an agreed rate which you will pay each month per kWh of energy used in your household. Despite offering some stability, this doesn’t mean that your monthly energy bills will always be the same: they will still vary depending on the amount of energy you use each month!
Fixed-rate or standard-variable contracts will suit different households in different ways. Some of the benefits of fixed-price tariffs include:
- They are usually cheaper than other variable rates
- You can protect yourself from unexpected price increases in the energy market
- You can have more control over your monthly spending, as you’re able to more firmly predict your monthly gas and electricity bill
There are however some disadvantages to fixed-rate contracts, which include:
- Being locked into a 12 or 24-month contract (you will have to pay an exit fee if you wish to leave early)
- Not benefiting from any decreases in energy market rates – gas and electricity prices can fall as quickly as they rise!
Standard variable tariff
Standard variable tariffs, otherwise known as SVTs, are usually a suppliers default option for an energy deal, meaning that when your current agreement ends, you could find yourself automatically placed on an SVT.
According to OfGem, the government regulator for gas and electricity, as of October 2016 around 19 million domestic energy accounts were on SVTs, and therefore potentially missing out on significant gas and electricity savings from different types of energy deals. If you don’t compare energy suppliers after your deal ends, you could find yourself in this situation too.
When you’re on a standard variable tariff, the price you pay per kWh of energy can fluctuate based on market rates, meaning that with this type of energy deal there is no price guarantee month-to-month. Often, a standard variable tariff is actually the most expensive type of tariff offered by an energy supplier, which means they’re often not the most cost-effective energy deals.
The key benefit of being on a standard variable rate is the flexibility it provides, as you’re not tied into any time specified contract and are free to switch energy supplier at any time. As well as this, you can benefit from low market prices for energy as your rate will be dependent on current market fluctuations.
As demonstrated, many people find themselves on SVTs without realising, and could find themselves a much better deal with another energy supplier: or even with the same supplier on a different plan. Make sure you’re aware of when your current energy plan ends, and use our energy comparison service to switch energy supplier before you unknowingly end up on an expensive SVT.
Green energy tariff
Many homeowners are consciously making more sustainable decisions in their everyday lives and choosing green energy can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Green energy tariffs promise minimal impact on the environment, as the energy supplied is sourced from environmentally friendly sources, such as renewable energy outputs like wind and solar power.
There has been an increase in demand from environmentally conscious consumers, which has led to an increase in green energy tariffs being offered by energy suppliers. Now that there is more market competition in the green energy space, prices have decreased: meaning you no longer have to pay such a high premium for eco-friendly energy.
But what does choosing a green energy plan actually mean? By selecting a green tariff, it will mean that the energy you buy is ‘matched’ by purchases of renewable energy that your energy supplier makes on your behalf. Your supplier should be able to provide specific details about their green energy plans, such as where they purchase the energy from on your behalf.
When selecting a green energy tariff, it’s worth looking out for the OfGem Green Energy Certification which ensures that energy suppliers are compliant with the regulations for sustainable energy. You can compare price points for green energy using our comparison tool, to see how much it would cost your household to go green.
Why energy comparison is important
There’s many reasons why comparing your energy suppliers is important. We’ve outlined some of the key points below:
Save money
The key reason you should undertake an energy comparison before deciding on any gas and electricity plan or deal is that it could save you a lot of money. You should be able to choose the best possible deal for your gas and electricity plan, and not be forking out more than necessary to run your home.
If you’re looking to switch energy supplier to find the cheapest tariff possible, you can read our guide to finding the cheapest energy supplier. With our energy comparison service, it couldn’t be easier to find the best value deal for your household.
There are a few key reasons why you might want to compare energy prices to save money:
- If you’ve recently moved to a new home
- If your old energy tariff is about to end or has recently ended
- If you’ve discovered you’ve been placed on an automatic standard variable rate
- If the energy price cap is due to increase, such as in April 2021
All you need to compare energy prices is your postcode and one of your latest energy bills: we can take care of the rest. Switching energy supplier could save you hundreds of pounds per year, so there really is no reason not to compare.
Go green
An increasingly frequent reason that people choose to compare energy suppliers is growing consumer interest in green energy. Making more sustainable choices in day-to-day life, such as having a green energy plan for your household, can be a fantastic way of reducing your carbon footprint.
Many consumers have become more environmentally conscious, and want to ensure that their gas and electricity are coming from renewable, eco-friendly sources. For many, this means that they switch energy suppliers in order to find a green energy provider.
Our energy comparison tool allows you to compare the wide variety of green energy tariffs available on the market so that you can make an informed decision about which policy to choose. You can compare green energy prices with non-green policies, to see how much it would cost your household per month to go green.
If you’ve already decided to go green, you can specifically compare the different green tariffs available for gas and electricity suppliers. There is an increasing market demand for sustainable energy suppliers, which has led to some fantastic deals on green energy. Comparing before you go green lets you make the best decision, for your energy bills and the planet!
Get better service
For many consumers, choosing a provider who they trust to provide them with excellent customer service is an important factor when choosing a new gas or electricity supplier. If you’ve had a bad experience with your current provider, you should look for a dependable brand which has a good customer care rating when switching energy supplier.
Having the best gas and electricity policy is not just about being cost-effective: it’s important that if you have any problems with your account, your energy supplier will be on hand to help in a timely and effective manner.
When you use our energy comparison tool, we provide you with a provider’s ‘supplier rating’: these ratings are from real people who have switched (using our services) to this supplier. If you want to ensure you’ll get the best service throughout the duration of your policy, make sure you choose a gas or electricity provider with a high supplier rating.
How to reduce the cost of your energy bills
If you’re looking to save money on your gas and electricity bills each year, it’s important to make sure you’re not wasting unnecessary energy in the day-to-day running of your household: as well as ensuring you compare and switch!
The Energy Saving Trust has some useful, in-depth guides to saving energy in your household, but we’ll talk you through a few key activities which can make a real difference in reducing your energy bills.
Switch off appliances
Many people are unaware as to just how much energy can be wasted by leaving appliances on standby. In fact, it’s predicted that the average UK household wastes £35 per year by not switching off appliances: and some predictions are even higher!
But what does ‘standby’ even mean? You may have turned your TV or games console off with the remote, but standby energy is still being used unless you switch these appliances off at the wall.
There are some key offenders in the everyday household that consume extreme amounts of energy even when not in use. These include, but are not limited to, broadband modems, broadband routers, television sets, smart speakers, phones, stereos and games consoles and even desktop computers.
Games consoles can be particularly good at wasting energy, as users – especially children – often leave them in idle mode, which in fact consumes almost as much energy as when they are in use and being played.
Although you may not think about switching these appliances off as they are in use multiple times throughout the day, you could save money (and reduce your carbon footprint) by making sure they’re switched off, due to the amount of energy these appliances waste every day.
There are a few easy tricks that can help you to turn off your appliances in a time-efficient way. For example, handy devices, such as this standby remote control, can allow you to switch all your appliances off at once whenever you leave the house.
Alternatively, you could keep all key-offenders, such as your TV, set-top box and games console, plugged into one extension lead, so you simply need to switch off one plug when leaving the house or going to bed.
Get a timer
In addition to other good practices for saving energy, using timer controls in your household can help to reduce your monthly gas and electricity bills. These controls allow you to set guidelines for how long home appliances, including lights and electronic devices, are switched on and in use.
Timers can be compatible with a wide range of home devices, and can save you both time and money: less faffing every time you leave the house or go to bed, and less money wasted on gas and electricity!
There are a number of ways timers can be incorporated into your household, including:
- With outdoor lighting, to ensure lights switch off and on automatically at times set by you.
- Integrated with household appliances such as TVs, games consoles, washer dryers, computers, and broadband modems, so that they have a fixed daytime and overnight schedule. Most of these devices are normally inactive at night, so this can be a convenient way to save energy.
- With device charging stations, to ensure that once your device is fully charged no more energy is unnecessarily wasted.
Despite being a small initial investment, there are some really useful timers on the market that can help you to easily reduce your energy bills, and be more eco-friendly in the process.
Insulate your home
Having good home insulation is key to keeping your energy consumption as low as possible, as it reduces the amount of warmth that escapes from your home through windows, doors, roofs and walls: heat that you’ve paid for through your heating bills!
There are many simple yet effective ways that you can insulate your home, reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money in the process. Even small fixes could lead to significant savings: for example, you could save up to £20 per year by fitting your hot water cylinder with an insulating jacket!
Another easy fix can be to draught-proof your home. Carrying out draught-proofing around key areas such as windows, doors, and open chimneys can lead to significant energy savings, as well as helping to keep your home warm and cosy in the winter months.
If you’re good at basic DIY, it’s very easy to draught-proof your home yourself. The Energy Saving Trust has some handy guides on how to draught-proof specific areas of your home, including windows, doors, chimneys, floorboards, loft hatches, pipework, and cracks in walls.
It’s also important to ensure that your walls and ceiling are efficiently insulated. Most homes built after the 1990s will have cavity wall insulation, but if your home is older than this it’s worth checking that you have appropriate wall insulation installed. It’s also crucial that your loft is fully insulated: you can lose 25% of the heat from your home through a badly insulated roof.
Ensuring your home is sufficiently insulated is really important. It will save you money, ensure your home stays warm and cosy throughout the winter, and reduce your household carbon emissions.
Use energy-efficient lightbulbs
Using energy-efficient lightbulbs should be a key switch for any household looking to reduce their energy bills. Old incandescent bulbs are extremely inefficient, as up to 90% of the energy that they use is wasted as heat, costing you more money and generating a lot of carbon emissions.
New energy-saving lightbulbs use less energy to emit the same amount of light as traditional bulbs. The latest energy-saving lightbulb, and by far the most common, is the light-emitting diode, otherwise known as an LED. An LED converts over 90% of its energy into light, making its energy efficiency incredibly high.
Despite having a slightly higher initial price, LED lightbulbs have a much longer lifespan than traditional incandescent bulbs: in fact, they can last up to 34 years, in comparison to the filament bulbs disappointing 1.4-year lifespan.
Energy-saving lightbulbs are eco-friendly, long-lasting and efficient, making them a simple and obvious swap for any household that wants to reduce its electricity prices.
Compare energy prices with Utility Saving Expert
Before you switch, make sure you compare gas and electricity prices with Utility Saving Expert: you could save up to £450.42 on your energy bills by using our energy comparison service!
Here are a few reasons why you should use our service to compare and switch:
- Our comparison tool is completely free to use, with no purchase obligation.
- We are OfGem accredited, so you can compare with confidence.
- Our service is simple and easy to use: all you need is your postcode and a copy of your latest energy bill.
- We donate 10% of our yearly net profits to fighting fuel poverty, so you will be helping good causes when you choose to switch with us.
We are dedicated to helping our customers make financial savings and choose the perfect plan for their household needs. By switching suppliers through Utility Saving Expert, you can be certain that you’re in safe hands. We will provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision about your energy supplier, and then take care of the rest.
You can make impressive financial savings if compare energy prices. Comparing and switching energy supplier with Utility Saving Expert could save you money.
Research has revealed than around 10 million UK households miss out on more than £2.2billion in savings on their energy bills. Using an online comparison tool makes shopping around for the best deals quick and easy. All of the figures and savings are displayed in one place, and you can switch energy supplier within minutes.
You’re in safe hands when you compare energy deals and switch with Utility Saving Expert. Contacting energy providers directly won’t get you a cheaper deal on your energy bills, because industry regulations state that energy companies cannot offer cheaper prices than those on a price comparison site.
If you live in rented accommodation and would like to change gas or electricity suppliers, you may need the permission of the property owner, landlord or their appointed agent.
If you are responsible for paying the gas and electricity bills and the bills are in your name, then you are entitled to choose which provider you use.
However, if the bills are in the property owner or landlord’s name, then switching energy provider is a decision for them to make. It is still possible to switch in these circumstances, but we recommend you discuss it with your landlord first.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing energy crisis, significant savings on home energy costs are not currently possible. However, it is still important to be mindful of your energy expenses and make sure you are not overpaying for your electricity and gas bills.
Although nearly two-thirds of UK households are currently on standard variable tariffs, which are typically less cost-effective in the long term, switching to a fixed-rate tariff can provide some protection against unexpected price hikes. By fixing the price per unit of gas and electricity for the duration of the contract, you can ensure stability in your energy costs.
The UK government has implemented an energy price cap to help combat rising gas and electricity prices, which can save households on default or standard variable tariffs around £75 per year. However, these savings may not be as significant as in the past due to the current energy crisis. Nevertheless, you can still compare energy deals using comparison tools to ensure you are getting the best possible rate for your energy needs.
When comparing energy deals, you’ll see a range of tariffs including a fixed-price option and a variable option:
Fixed-rate tariffs: Possibly more expensive to begin with but prices are fixed for the term duration, protecting you from unexpected price increases.
Variable rate tariffs: Possibly less expensive to begin with, and your bill may increase or decrease as the price of energy units change.
Other tariffs and options include:
Economy 7 tariffs: Usually requiring a special electricity meter which provides two separate readings. One reading is for electricity used during the day, priced higher. The other is for electricity used during off-peak hours at night, priced lower. The off-peak period lasts for seven hours.
Economy 10 tariffs: Similar to Economy 7, Economy 10 is a type of energy plan that offers customers cheaper electricity during off-peak hours, usually at night. With this tariff, your energy will cost less during 10 off-peak hours daily.
Green energy tariffs: Described as a tariff where some or all the energy generated comes from renewable sources. Many green energy providers will be signed up to the Green Energy Certification Scheme.
Collective energy switching: Another great way to save money by accessing deals that aren’t available to the wider market. This is when a large number of people, referred to as a closed group or community, apply their collective purchasing power to negotiate a tariff with energy providers.
You can make impressive financial savings if compare energy prices. Comparing and switching energy supplier with Utility Saving Expert can save you up to £450.42* per year.
Research has revealed than around 10 million UK households miss out on more than £2.2billion in savings on their energy bills. Using an online comparison tool makes shopping around for the best deals quick and easy. All of the figures and savings are displayed in one place, and you can switch energy supplier within minutes.
You’re in safe hands when you compare energy deals and switch with Utility Saving Expert. Contacting energy providers directly won’t get you a cheaper deal on your energy bills, because industry regulations state that energy companies cannot offer cheaper prices than those on a price comparison site.
There’s a good chance that you’re paying more than you should be for your electricity and gas bills, but you could save up to £450.42* per year on your energy bills when you compare energy with Utility Saving Expert and switch provider.
Nearly two-thirds of UK households are currently on standard variable tariffs, which typically provide less value for money long-term, with no protection when energy bills rise unexpectedly. One way protect yourself from price rises is by switching to a fixed-rate tariff. This will mean that you pay for each unit of gas and electricity at a fixed price for the duration of the contract.
To combat rising gas and electricity prices, the UK government has established an energy price cap, saving households on default or standard variable tariffs around £75 per year on gas and electricity. You can maximise those savings when you compare energy deals using our comparison tool.
Switching energy supplier using a price comparison website is a lot simpler than you might expect. It’s easiest to get an accurate comparison if you have a recent energy bill handy. This is the process:
- Enter your postcode, current energy supplier and typical energy usage
- Select the best energy tariff for your home or business
- Add your contact and payment details
- Confirm you want to switch
Compare deals from a range of energy suppliers that we generate for you
If you’re looking for a new energy tariff, one option is to choose dual-fuel with both gas and electricity provided by the same energy supplier. Another option is to select each tariff separately, allowing you to buy gas and electricity from two separate companies.
Some suppliers offer financial discounts for dual-fuel tariffs, but it’s also possible that buying gas and electricity from separate providers works out cheaper. We recommend that you compare prices for both options to find the best deal.
Compare energy deals using Utility Saving Expert and choose your new energy supplier and tariff. Confirm you want to switch, and you’ll usually be powered by your new energy supplier within 21 days.
The new provider will inform you of the expected date of the transfer. They will ask you for a meter reading closer to this date and they will also provide the reading to your previous supplier for your final bill. That’s it! There’s nothing more you need to do.
After deciding to switch, you will be given a 14-day cooling off period. This gives you time to check you’re happy with the energy switch and you can cancel without incurring any additional fees during this period.
Comparing and confirming that you want to switch energy supplier takes minutes, and you can expect to be switched over to your new energy provider within three weeks.
Many UK energy suppliers have entered into the Energy Switch Guarantee initiative, meaning your new provider will manage the whole transfer process for you, ensuring it has been completed within 21 days.
When the switch takes place, there will be no disruption to your energy supply. Your home will continue to be powered as usual. No digging, no drilling, and no additional pipes are required. Energy switching is far easier than you might have imagined!
Once your account with your previous energy supplier has been closed, you will be sent your final bill. Some suppliers will cancel your direct debit, but it’s a good idea to check it has been cancelled from your bank account to avoid any surprises later.
If your account with your previous supplier is in credit, this money will be returned to your bank account or cheque.
Fixed-term contracts provide the security that you know what you’ll pay each month. However, if you wish to change energy providers before your contract expires, you may have to pay up to £100 in exit fees.
The rules change slightly when your contract is nearing its end. Within the final 49 days of your contract, you can switch energy deal without paying an exit fee.
You don’t need to contact your previous energy supplier directly. The whole process of switching gas or electricity supply will be managed by your new energy provider. They will ask you for a meter reading, which they’ll also provide to your previous supplier for your final bill.
All UK energy suppliers are regulated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). The Big Six and smaller energy suppliers all follow the same rules and abide by the same regulations.
In the unfortunate instance that your supplier enters into bankruptcy, you will be covered by Ofgem. They will make sure that your gas and electricity supply is not affected by any loss of service, assigning a new provider to take over your supply.
If you’re comparing energy suppliers, price will be a key consideration, but it’s not the only factor. If you’re searching for the best gas and electricity supplier, think about the reputation of the company. Are they reliable? Do they deliver good customer service?
A smart way to compare energy providers is to look the services available, taking into account their opening hours and how they handle customer queries related to billing and complaints. Reading independent customer ratings and reviews will also be helpful.
Under normal circumstances, anyone can switch their energy supplier and usually it is quick and easy to do so. However, you may not be able to switch if you’re in debt with your current energy provider.
Your existing supplier will stop you from switching if you have an outstanding debt owed to them. In addition, a new provider may not want to take you on as a customer if you have had difficulty paying a previous bill.
You are considered to be in utility debt when the amount outstanding has remained unpaid for a period exceeding 28 days or you owe more than £500. However, if you owe less than £500 and you are on a prepayment meter, is it possible to change energy company.
If you are in debt with your current supplier because they have failed to do something, you will be able to switch if you can prove this. If you are also in debt with other bills, such as credit cards, mobile phones or car insurance, you may wish to seek advice from a debt charity.
You could be saving hundreds of pounds every year when you switch gas and electricity providers through Utility Saving Expert’s online comparison tool. It takes a few minutes to compare energy deals and you can switch to a new supplier directly through our site.
You won’t be charged for comparing or switching through our website. It’s totally free.
Independent and unbiased, we provide the best deals for you. If you choose to switch using our site, suppliers will pay us a fee, and we donate 10% of our net profits to fuel poverty charities.
We show deals from all UK energy providers that are in the market. You can switch to most of them directly through our site. Because we believe in transparency, we will also show you tariff prices for providers who don’t partner with us, to ensure you’ll always find the cheapest options.
Due to regulations, UK energy suppliers cannot offer cheaper prices if you contact them directly, so you can be confident in the knowledge that we’ll always show you the most competitive deals.
Our comparison tool is accredited by the Ofgem Confidence Code. This strictly regulates how comparison websites like us are able to operate. We endeavour to make the process of switching your energy supplier as easy and simple as possible.
Yes, Utility Saving Expert can definitely help you save money on your business energy. As a leading UK energy price comparison site, we cater to both homeowners and businesses, offering customised solutions for all your energy needs. By comparing business gas prices and business electricity rates from a wide range of suppliers, Utility Saving Expert helps you find the most competitive deals in the market.
