Energy Questions

What happens when I switch suppliers?
Making the switch to a new energy supplier with YourHomeBills.com is simple and takes only a few minutes of your time:

Firstly you will enter details about your usage and current gas and electricity plans.
You then select the cheapest energy deal for you and enter further details to complete the switch to the new supplier.

Your new supplier will contact you to confirm the switchover and the date that your new service will commence. On this date you will then need to take a meter reading to ensure that you only pay once for the energy you have used.

It then takes around 4-6 weeks to complete the switch to your new supplier.

We recommend that you use the YourHomeBills.com energy calculator to compare online only energy tariffs and find the cheapest gas and electricity deal for you.

Will there be any interruption to my supply?
No. When you switch suppliers the new supplier will make use of the same electricity cabling, gas pipes and any existing meters provided by your old supplier. The new supplier will also contact you to confirm the switchover and the date that your new energy service will commence. You won't notice the difference apart from the cheaper bills!

Do I need to contact my existing energy supplier?
Your new supplier will make arrangements with your existing supplier to transfer your supply and all you need to do is provide a final meter reading, on the date of transfer, to your new supplier. Your existing supplier will then raise a final bill.

How can I find out who my current supplier is?
If you are unsure who your current supplier is then you can do a few things:

Check any recent bills you might have paid

Contact the Meter Number Helpline on 08706081524 any they will provide you with your current gas supplier information.

If you are in a rented property then ask your landlord or letting agency for the details of the current supplier.

Can I switch if I've just moved house?
If you have just move house then you can choose from any of the energy suppliers featured on YourHomeBills.com. Prior to moving house we recommend that you contact your existing supplier and tell them you are moving. They will check or ask for the final meter reading and then send you a final bill.

Once you have moved to your new property you should check to find out who supplies the gas and electricity to the premises and then compare the supplier and energy tariffs against those featured on YourHomeBills.com.

We recommend that you use the YourHomeBills.com energy calculator to compare online only energy tariffs and find the cheapest gas and electricity deal for you.

Can I switch if I owe money to my existing supplier?
You may not be able to switch supplier if you have an outstanding balance with your current supplier that is over a month old.

Can I get my gas and electricity from a single supplier?
Absolutely, the majority of suppliers can now provide both gas and electricity on a combined plan that may also include a discount or a reduced price. These are commonly referred to as 'dual fuel' plans.

Will switching affect my heating insurance with my current provider?
No. Heating and boiler cover are offered separately from gas and electricity supply and so switching to a new energy provider will not discontinue your existing policy. However, it is worth checking on your old contract that the insurance cover was not part of a discount offered when you took the energy – in this instance there might be a difference to pay to maintain the cover.

How do I find my MPRN?
Your MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) is a unique identifying number for the gas meter located at your property. The number is made up of ten digits and suppliers will tend to refer to this as an ‘M’ number. You can locate this either on you gas bill or by calling the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524.

How do I find my MPAN?
Your MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) is a unique identifying number for the electricity meter located at your property. Suppliers will tend to refer to this as a ‘Supply Number’ or an ‘S’ number. The number can be located on your current electricity bill or by contacting your existing supplier who will provide this to you.

What happens in an emergency if I switch suppliers?
Changing to a new energy supplier does not affect the emergency procedures that are undertaken when there is a problem with your gas and electricity supply. You will be provided with a 24 hour emergency helpline number by your new provider, to be used when you think there are issues or safety concerns regarding the supply of your electricity. For all gas emergencies you can call Transco who maintain the supply for all UK households; 0800 111 999.

I have a prepayment meter…

If you want to move to a new supplier but currently have a prepayment meter then you need to contact your existing supplier and arrange for them to install a standard meter. This installation may carry a charge; once you have a standard meter installed you will be able to switch energy suppliers online at YourHomeBills.com.

I am on a capped/fixed price plan…

If you want to move to a new supplier but are currently signed up to a capped or fixed price plan for a set period of time, then you may be charged a fee by your current supplier if you switch suppliers before the end of the fixed period. However, it may still save you money by switching supplier and we recommend that you check your contract to see if there is a fee to pay and then compare any charges against the savings you will make with your new energy supplier.

We recommend that you use the YourHomeBills.com energy calculator to compare online only energy tariffs and find the cheapest gas and electricity deal for you.

Can I move to an Economy 7 meter?
If you want to move to an Economy 7 meter then you need to contact your existing supplier and arrange for them to install this. This installation may carry a charge; once you have an Economy 7 meter installed you will be able to switch energy suppliers online at YourHomeBills.com.

Can I move to a standard meter?
If you want to move to a new supplier but currently have an Economy 7 meter then you need to contact your existing supplier and arrange for them to install a standard meter. This installation may carry a charge; once you have a standard meter installed you will be able to switch energy suppliers online at YourHomeBills.com.

Who handles complaints once I switch?
If you have a complaint then it is best to speak directly with your energy supplier and follow their complaints process. If their response does not satisfy you then you may contact Energywatch, who act as the watchdog for the gas and electricity industry. You can also call Energywatch on 0845 906 0708.

Gas & Electricity regulators
Two organisations, Energywatch and Ofgem, can help to provide you with information and advice when dealing with energy suppliers. They operate a campaign called Energy Smart which helps consumers to identify the best deals and ways of using less energy.

Energywatch provides consumers with useful safety information on using energy and also when switching gas or electricity supplier. They also act as an intermediary if you do not get a satisfactory response when you follow your supplier’s complaints procedure.

Ofgem acts as the regulator for the gas and electricity industries and, since the deregulation of both markets in 1999, has encouraged increased competition in the energy markets between suppliers. They have also helped to lower the wholesale cost of energy and help to protect consumers from those suppliers who provide false or misleading information about their services or prevent them from switching to a new supplier.

To help you take advantage of the great energy deals we recommend that you use the YourHomeBills.com energy calculator to compare dual fuel energy tariffs and switch to the cheapest gas and electricity deal for you.