Energy Savings & Switching FAQ

Under Ofgem regulations, switching your energy supplier typically takes up to 5 working days (reduced from 17 days previously). There is a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel the switch without penalty if you change your mind.

No. The physical gas and electricity pipes and wires running to your home do not change when you switch suppliers. There is zero interruption to your power or gas supply during the switch.

Exit fees are charged by some suppliers if you leave a fixed-term tariff before the contract ends (usually between £50 and £75 per fuel). If you are on a standard variable tariff or your fixed deal has ended, there are no exit fees.

Lowering your combi boiler flow temperature from 80°C to 60°C can save up to 9% on gas usage. Other top methods include draught-proofing doors and windows, washing clothes at 30°C, and turning down thermostats by just 1°C.

Vampire appliances are devices left on standby ( TVs, gaming consoles, microwave clocks, chargers plugged into sockets). Turning them completely off at the wall or using smart power strips can save the average UK household up to £65 a year.

The standing charge is a fixed daily amount you pay just to have your home connected to the energy network, regardless of how much energy you use. The unit rate is what you pay for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas or electricity you actually consume.

The government Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) limited what households paid per unit of energy between October 2022 and June 2023. In Great Britain the average rates were about 34p per kWh for electricity and 10.3p per kWh for gas, with standing charges of around 46p and 28p per day — equal to roughly £2,500 a year for a typical household. Since July 2023 the Ofgem price cap has been lower than the EPG, so the EPG no longer affects bills. Your actual rates depended on your region and payment method.

Fixed tariffs lock in your unit rates and standing charges for 12 months, protecting you from future price cap rises. Variable tariffs move up and down with wholesale market prices in line with Ofgem caps. Compare your estimated annual usage to see which offers the best overall savings.

Home batteries (like Tesla Powerwall 3, GivEnergy, and Enphase) allow UK households to charge from the grid overnight during ultra-cheap off-peak hours (e.g. 7.5p/kWh on Octopus Flux, Agile, or EV tariffs), and discharge during peak day hours (27p/kWh). This smart tariff arbitrage saves typical households £500–£1,100 per year, and all domestic battery installations qualify for 0% UK VAT.

A home battery with Emergency Power Supply (EPS) provides instantaneous switchover (<20ms) with zero noise and zero emissions, keeping lights and Wi-Fi running seamlessly. A standby backup generator (LPG/petrol) takes 15–30 seconds to start and generates engine noise, but can run indefinitely during multi-day winter storms as long as fuel is supplied. Always connect backup generators through a certified break-before-make Manual Transfer Switch (MTS) to avoid dangerous grid backfeeding.

NEVER call your energy supplier for physical emergencies (they only handle accounts & billing). If you smell gas, do not touch electrical switches or naked flames; open windows, evacuate, and call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 (free, 24/7). For electricity power cuts, call 105 to connect directly to your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO).