How to Switch Electricity Supplier: 8 Steps, Hidden Costs and Mistakes to Avoid

What is the quick answer, and can you switch where you live?

To switch electricity supplier, you compare plans using your real usage, choose one, and apply with the new company. The new supplier arranges the move with the old one, and your power does not go off. In most places the whole process takes a few weeks and needs no engineer visit.

This guide shows how to switch electricity supplier in clear steps. It also covers the parts most guides skip, such as exit fees, standing charges and the mistakes that cost people money.

First, check that you are allowed to switch. Many countries and regions let households pick a retail supplier. Others have one local utility, and you cannot choose. Rules also differ inside one country. Some regions are open and some are not.

A simple test works almost anywhere. Look at your latest bill. If it names a "supplier", "retailer" or "energy company" and also names a separate "network" or "distributor", you can probably switch. The network company owns the wires and stays the same. You only change who sells you the power.

If your bill comes from a single local utility, and your national or state regulator says there is no retail choice, you cannot switch. In that case, the later sections on cutting your use and checking your tariff still help.

What should you gather before you compare plans?

A good comparison needs a few facts. Collect them first. It takes ten minutes and saves hours of guessing.

• Your address and postcode or zip code. Prices often depend on your area.
• Your current supplier and plan name. You need this to see what you pay now.
• Your yearly usage in kWh. Find it on a bill or in your online account. Use a full 12 months if you can.
• Your unit rate. This is the price per kWh.
• Your standing charge. This is a fixed daily or monthly fee. Not every market has one.
• Your contract end date and exit fee. Look for a fixed term, a notice period and any early exit charge.
• Your meter type. Check if you have a single rate, a time of use meter, or a smart meter. Some plans need a certain type.
• Any special set up. Solar panels, an electric car charger, a heat pump or a night storage heater all change which plan fits.
• Your account or meter ID. It may be called an MPAN, NMI, ESIID, POD or something similar. The new supplier will ask for it.

If you cannot find your yearly usage, ask your supplier for it. Most must give it to you. A comparison built on a guess can point you to the wrong plan.

How to switch electricity supplier step by step

Here is the full process in order. Follow each step and you will avoid most problems.

1. Confirm you can switch. Check your bill for the supplier and network split described above. If you rent, check your lease and ask the landlord. In some tenancies the landlord or building owner holds the contract. In others, the tenant has the right to choose.
2. Read your current contract. Note the end date, the exit fee and the notice rules. If you are on a fixed term, you may pay to leave early. Some plans have no exit fee at all.
3. Collect your usage and rates. Use the list in the section above. Write down your yearly kWh, unit rate and standing charge.
4. Compare plans on total yearly cost. Use an independent or regulator approved comparison tool if your country has one. Also check supplier sites directly, because some plans are not listed on comparison tools. Compare the same usage across every option.
5. Check the details of your top two or three picks. Look at contract length, exit fees, price type (fixed or variable), payment terms, green claims and customer service. The next sections explain what to look for.
6. Apply with the new supplier. You will give your address, meter ID, contact details and payment details. Read the summary page before you confirm. Save a copy of the terms.
7. Do not cancel your old supplier yourself. In most markets the new supplier tells the old one. If you cancel first, you may be left on a costly default plan or even cut off from your supplier of record.
8. Take a meter reading on the switch date. Take a clear photo with the date. Send it to both suppliers if they ask. This protects you from a wrong final bill.

After step six, you may get a cooling off period. This is a short window when you can cancel the new contract without penalty. The length depends on your country. Check your confirmation email for the exact terms.

How do you compare electricity plans fairly?

The headline unit rate is not enough. A low rate can hide a high daily charge. The right comparison is the total yearly cost at your usage.

Use this formula:

Yearly cost = (kWh used x unit rate) + (days x daily standing charge) + any fixed fees, minus any credits.

Here is a worked example. The numbers are round and for illustration only. They are not real prices.

• Plan A: unit rate 0.20 per kWh, standing charge 0.50 per day.
• Plan B: unit rate 0.17 per kWh, standing charge 0.70 per day.

At 3,000 kWh a year:

• Plan A costs 3,000 x 0.20 = 600, plus 365 x 0.50 = 182.50. Total 782.50.
• Plan B costs 3,000 x 0.17 = 510, plus 365 x 0.70 = 255.50. Total 765.50.

Plan B is cheaper by 17 a year. Now try 2,000 kWh a year:

• Plan A costs 400 plus 182.50. Total 582.50.
• Plan B costs 340 plus 255.50. Total 595.50.

Now Plan A is cheaper by 13. The same two plans swap places when usage changes. That is why you need your own kWh figure. A low user often does better with a low standing charge. A high user often does better with a low unit rate.

Also compare these points:

• Fixed or variable price. A fixed plan locks the rate for a set term. A variable plan can rise or fall. Fixed gives certainty. Variable gives flexibility.
• Time of use pricing. Some plans charge less at night and more at peak hours. These suit people who can move use to cheap hours, such as electric car owners.
• Introductory rates. Some prices are low for a few months, then rise. Check what happens when the offer ends.
• Taxes. Check if the prices shown include tax. Compare all plans on the same basis.

What hidden costs should you check before you sign?

Most surprises come from small print. Look for these items before you confirm.

• Exit fees. Some fixed plans charge you if you leave early. Ask what the fee is and when it applies. A cheap plan with a high exit fee can trap you.
• Rate after the term ends. When a fixed plan ends, many suppliers move you to a default rate. That rate is often higher. Diary the end date and shop around a few weeks before.
• Monthly account or service fees. A flat fee can cancel out a low unit rate.
• Late payment fees and paper bill fees. If you pay late or want paper bills, costs can rise.
• Payment method discounts. A low price may need direct debit or online billing only. Check you can meet the condition.
• Deposits. Some suppliers ask for a deposit, especially if you have a limited credit history.
• Bundles. A deal that includes gas, internet or a gadget can look cheap. Compare each part alone to see what you truly save.
• Price change clauses. A fixed plan may still allow some charges to pass through, such as network or government costs. Read what is fixed and what is not.
• Green claims. A "green" plan may mean the supplier buys certificates, or it may mean it supplies from renewable sources. Check the wording and any independent labels.

A quick habit helps. Before you confirm, find the page or document that lists the key terms. Many markets require a short summary of price, term and fees. Read it fully, not just the headline.

What mistakes do people make when they switch?

These errors are common and easy to avoid.

• Comparing on unit rate alone. As the example shows, standing charges can flip the result.
• Using wrong usage numbers. A guess or an old bill can skew the whole comparison. Use 12 months if you can.
• Ignoring exit fees. A saving of 100 a year is not much if you pay 150 to leave.
• Cancelling the old supplier first. Let the new supplier handle it.
• Skipping the meter reading. Without it, the final bill may be an estimate.
• Not checking the new supplier. Look at independent customer service ratings and complaint data if your regulator publishes them. Do not rely on a single review.
• Chasing the lowest price every time. A tiny saving is not worth a poor billing record. Think about service, too.
• Forgetting to switch back and shop again. Prices change. Set a reminder a month or two before your term ends.
• Signing at the door or on the phone under pressure. You are never obliged to decide on the spot. Ask for the terms in writing and compare them later.
• Ignoring debt or credit on your account. If you owe money, the old supplier may block or delay the switch in some markets. If you are in credit, ask for a refund on your final bill.

When does this advice not apply?

Switching is not always the right move, and sometimes it is not possible.

• You have no retail choice. Some places have a single utility. Then your best moves are to check you are on the right tariff, reduce use, and ask about time of use or assistance programs.
• You are in the middle of a fixed term with a big exit fee. Work out the cost of leaving against the saving. If the fee is larger, wait for the end date.
• You are on a regulated or capped plan. Some governments set a price cap or a standard rate. A private plan may or may not beat it, and may give up protections. Compare with care.
• You have a special tariff you value. Some solar owners get export payments. Some households get social or low income rates. Check that a new plan keeps these before you leave.
• You rent and the landlord controls supply. In some buildings you cannot choose, because electricity is bundled with rent or metered through the building.
• You use a prepayment meter. Your options may be fewer, and the process may differ. Check with your regulator for the right steps.
• You are in arrears. You may need to clear the debt or agree a plan first.

If you are unsure, call your current supplier and ask what your options are. Then check the independent comparison tool or regulator website for your country.

What happens after you switch electricity supplier?

Here is what to expect once you have applied.

1. Confirmation. You should get an email or letter with your start date, price and terms. Keep it.
2. Cooling off period. You may have a short window to change your mind. Know the deadline.
3. The switch date. Your supply continues without a break. The physical wires, meter and outage response stay with the same network company. If the power goes out, you still call the network operator, not your retailer.
4. Your final bill. The old supplier sends a closing bill, based on your meter reading. Check it matches your photo. If you are in credit, expect a refund. If you owe money, pay it to avoid problems.
5. Your first bill from the new supplier. Check the rates match what you agreed. Check the standing charge, the start date and the meter reading.
6. Direct debit. Cancel the old one only after you get your final bill, unless the old supplier tells you otherwise. Set up the new one as agreed.

If something looks wrong, contact the new supplier first. Keep a record of dates and names. If they do not fix it, most countries have an energy ombudsman or regulator that handles complaints for free.

How can you keep saving after you switch?

Switching is one lever. Using less is another. A few small habits can lower your bill whichever plan you choose.

• Set a reminder for one to two months before your fixed term ends.
• Read your meter every month or two. Catch errors early.
• Move heavy use to cheaper hours if you are on a time of use plan.
• Check standby power. Old fridges, spare freezers and devices left on all day can add up.
• Review your plan if your life changes. A new car, a heat pump or a work from home routine can change your best tariff.

FAQ: switching electricity supplier

How long does it take to switch electricity supplier?

It depends on your country, but it often takes from a few days to a few weeks. Some places have a cooling off period before the switch starts. Your confirmation email should give your exact start date.

Will my power be cut off when I switch?

No. The wires and meter stay the same, and the supply continues without a break. Only the company that bills you changes.

Do I have to tell my old supplier that I am leaving?

Usually not. The new supplier tells the old one for you. Cancelling by yourself first can leave you on a default plan or cause delays, so wait unless you are told otherwise.

Can I switch electricity supplier if I am renting?

Often yes, if you pay the supplier directly. Check your lease first. If the landlord pays the bill or the building has one shared meter, you may not be able to choose.

Can I switch if I am in debt to my supplier?

It depends on local rules. Some markets let you switch with a small debt, and others block it until you pay or agree a plan. Ask your current supplier and check your regulator's advice.

Is the cheapest plan always the best choice?

No. Exit fees, standing charges, price rises after an intro period and poor service can cancel out a low headline rate. Compare total yearly cost, then check the terms and the supplier's record.

How often should I check if I can save?

Check once a year, and a month or two before any fixed term ends. Also check if your usage or home set up changes.

A note on offers. On 2026-11-06, our listings held no electricity supplier deals, so this guide does not feature any. That may have changed since. DealPortal may earn a commission when you use a link on our site.

Read next

• Fixed vs Variable Electricity Rate: How Each Works and a 5-Step Way to Choose
• How to Read Your Electricity Bill: Line by Line, Plus What You Can Change
• How to Lower Your Electricity Bill at Home Without Losing Comfort: A Step by Step Plan
• Are Time of Use Electricity Plans Worth It? Who Saves Money and Who Does Not