Switching energy supplier checklist
Most switching problems trace back to a meter reading nobody wrote down. Take one on the day, keep the photograph, and read the new contract before signing.
19 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- Current usage checked from the last twelve months of billsA comparison against last month alone misses a whole winter of heating.
- Meter readings taken before starting a switchThis is what settles the final bill, so keep a photograph as well as the number.
- Exit fees on the current contract checkedSome fixed deals charge to leave early — weigh it against what switching actually saves.
- Standing charge compared, not just the unit rateA cheap unit rate on a high standing charge can cost more for a low-usage home.
- Type of meter confirmed
- Smart meter, and whether it's compatible with the new supplier
- Traditional meter, and how readings will be submitted
- Direct debit amount checked against actual usage, not a flat guessSet too low it leaves a large bill later; too high, it just lends the supplier your money for free.
- Switch date confirmed and diarised
- Final bill from the old supplier checked line by lineA closing balance that doesn't match your own reading is worth querying before it's paid.
- Credit balance with the old supplier claimed backMoney left sitting on a closed account doesn't return itself.
- New supplier's contract terms read before agreeing
- Length of the tariff and what happens when it ends
- Exit fees on the new deal
- Whether it's fixed or variable
- Complaints process checked before anything goes wrongWorth knowing in advance rather than searching for it mid-dispute.
- Cooling-off period notedCheck the current rules — most switches can still be cancelled within a short window after signing.
- Smart meter reading history saved before the switchSome switches temporarily lose smart functionality, and the history is useful if a bill is disputed later.
- Address details confirmed with the new supplierA mismatched name or address is the most common reason a switch stalls.
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- Will switching supplier cause a loss of power?
- No — the switch happens on the supply account, not the physical connection, so there's no interruption at the property itself.
- What if my final bill from the old supplier looks wrong?
- Query it against your own photographed meter reading before paying. A closing balance that doesn't match your reading is worth challenging.
- Can I cancel a switch once it's started?
- Usually, within a short window — check the current rules, since most switches can still be cancelled shortly after signing.