How to choose · Electricity and gas plans
How to switch electricity or gas supplier without a gap in supply
Last updated 25 October 2026 · 2 sources listed · Reading time about 3 minutes
Short answer
Switching changes who bills you, not who keeps the lights on: the network operator continues delivering energy. The sequence is to gather your meter details and current contract terms, compare plans on real usage, check exit charges, apply, take a final reading, and verify the closing and opening bills. Regulators in most markets set cooling-off and switch-time rules, so check yours.
Who this is for: A household or small tenant wanting to change supplier and unsure what actually happens to the physical supply during the move.
What to evaluate
Meter identifiers
A switch is processed against your meter point number or equivalent; a wrong digit stalls the application.
How to check: Copy the identifier from a recent bill or your meter and match it to your address on the application.
Current contract status
Leaving inside a fixed term can trigger an exit charge, while leaving at the end date is free.
How to check: Find the end date and any fee in your account or welcome documents before applying.
Outstanding balance or credit
Debt may block or slow some switches, and credit should be returned on closing.
How to check: Check account balance and ask how a credit or debit is handled on the final bill.
Cooling-off right
Many jurisdictions give a short period to cancel a new contract without penalty.
How to check: Look at your regulator's rules for the length of the cancellation window and how to exercise it.
Meter type and readings
Smart, prepayment and traditional meters behave differently during a switch and affect final billing accuracy.
How to check: Ask whether the incoming supplier can operate your meter in smart mode and how readings are supplied.
Billing and payment setup
Payment method can change the rate offered and the risk of missed payments.
How to check: Confirm payment date, whether direct debit is required, and how the supplier reviews monthly amounts.
Comparison
| Route | Good when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Directly with the new supplier | You already know the plan you want | You see only that supplier's offers |
| Regulator-accredited comparison tool | You want a broad market view | Not every plan is listed and some commission-based results are ranked unevenly |
| Through a landlord or building manager | You rent and the contract is shared or inherited | Your rights may differ and a bulk contract may bind the building |
| Via an energy broker (small business) | You manage several sites or complex usage | Commission built into rates and unclear fees |
Decision worksheet
Rate up to three options against this guide’s own criteria. It runs in your browser and saves only on this device. It is a thinking aid, not a recommendation.
1. Have you checked each criterion?
0 of 6 criteria checked.
2. Compare options (0 = fails or unknown, 3 = meets it well)
| Criterion | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Meter identifiers | |||
| Current contract status | |||
| Outstanding balance or credit | |||
| Cooling-off right | |||
| Meter type and readings | |||
| Billing and payment setup | |||
| Total (max 18) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Questions to ask before you commit
- What is my switch date and will I need to be home?
- How will my meter reading be taken at the point of change?
- Is any credit on my account refunded when I leave?
- Will there be a gap in billing or a double-billed period?
- Is my rate affected if I do not pay by direct debit?
- Does my old supplier apply an exit charge before the cooling-off window ends?
- Will the new supplier treat my smart meter as smart?
- How do I raise a dispute about the final bill?
Typical trade-offs
Switch immediately
- Upside
- You start the cheaper or better-suited plan sooner
- Downside
- You may trigger an exit fee if timed badly
Wait until the contract end window
- Upside
- No exit charge and time to compare calmly
- Downside
- You may stay on a poorer rate longer than necessary
Use an automatic switching service
- Upside
- Low effort and repeated switching
- Downside
- Less control over contract terms and tie-ins
Common mistakes
- Using an estimated reading on the switch date; submit a photo of your actual meter so the closing bill is accurate.
- Cancelling the old supplier yourself before the new one confirms; let the new supplier handle the cancellation.
- Ignoring the final bill from the old supplier; check it against your reading and chase any credit.
- Believing a switch will cause a power cut; the network operator is unchanged and supply continues.
- Switching while in debt without checking whether the supplier or regulator rules allow it.
Related questions
Will my power go off when I switch?
No. The wires and pipes belong to the network operator, which does not change when you change supplier. Your meter keeps working and energy continues to flow. What changes is the company that buys energy on your behalf and bills you. If a supplier fails entirely, many regulators have a back-up arrangement that moves customers to a designated supplier so supply continues, though your terms may change.
How long does a switch take?
The time varies by country and by meter type. Some markets complete in a few working days after any cooling-off period, others take weeks. Your regulator publishes the standard. A switch that depends on a physical meter visit may take longer. Ask the incoming supplier for a confirmed date in writing, and check whether the cooling-off period runs before or in parallel with the switching period.
What readings should I give?
Take a clear photo of your meter showing the register or display on the day of the switch, and submit it to both suppliers. Smart meters usually share readings automatically, but a manual reading is a useful cross-check. Without actual readings, final bills are estimated and may overcharge or undercharge. Keep records until both closing and first bills have been checked.
Can a landlord stop me switching?
It depends on the tenancy and the jurisdiction. Where tenants pay the supplier directly, they typically have the right to choose, though a tenancy agreement or a shared building contract can limit this. If the landlord pays or the property is on a bulk contract, the options differ. Check your regulator's guidance for tenants and review your tenancy documents before contacting a supplier.
Sources and further reading
These pages were reachable when we last checked. They informed definitions and rules referred to above; they do not endorse this guide. Where rules differ by country, check the authority for your location.
- Ofgem consumer information — Ofgem, retrieved 27 October 2026
- Energy advice for households — Ofgem, retrieved 27 October 2026
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