How to compare energy suppliers and prices.

Why should you switch your energy supplier?

It’s always important to make sure that you’re on the best energy deal for your needs, whether that’s a long-term fixed tariff for one designed for EV drivers. By checking what energy deals are available you can see whether you can save money by switching.

With electricity and gas prices rising due to the price cap, you may be able to find deals that are cheaper than it.

Your comparing energy suppliers checklist.

To make sure you’re comparing energy deals correctly, you’ll need to understand what your energy situation is.

How to check if your energy deal is competitive.

To work out what you need in an energy tariff, start by weighing up the following key points (they’ll all factor in when you’re comparing energy deals):

Checking your current energy deal.

Now, let’s delve into the finer details. Firstly you’ll need to check what energy deal or tariff you’re on. You can normally find this on your latest energy bill or by checking your online account. The information you’ll need is:

• The name of your electricity and gas tariffs.

• The price per kilowatt (kWh) you’re paying for each.

• The standing charge for each meter.

• Any exit fees.

• Your tariff end date.

Checking your energy use.

You’ll want to know how much electricity and gas you’re using each year so that you can accurately compare the best energy deals for you. You can find your annual energy usage on your latest bill or in your online account.

If you don’t know how much energy you use then you can use the Ofgem averages.

Choosing your energy priorities.

Alongside the price that you’ll pay for your electricity and gas, it’s important to consider what else you want from your energy deal, including:

• Do you want 100% renewable energy?

• Do you want a company highly rated on Trustpilot?

• Do you want the cheapest deal?

• Do you want fixed or variable prices?

• How long do you need your tariff for?

All of these factors could impact your choices when it comes to picking your new energy deal or supplier. You’ll also want to factor any home energy tech you have in, such as solar panels, electric vehicle chargers or heat pumps because there are some tariffs designed specifically for these.

What to look for in an energy supplier.

When you’re searching for a new energy supplier, there are several key things to consider, from tariff price and contract terms to customer service ratings and brand values.

Tariff prices.

Firstly, there’s the tariff. The tariff price is important, but understanding how that price is structured and protected is also important.

Together, the unit rate and standing charge determines your total bill, so ensure that you compare both. A low unit rate with a high standing charge may not save a low-usage household money.

Then there’s the fixed vs. variable tariff question. If price consistency is a priority, perhaps a fixed tariff could be what you’re after. However, a variable tariff could offer lower prices if the market drops.

Contract terms.

Then, there’s exit fees. Check the cost of leaving a fixed contract early to avoid being hit with any unexpected fees.

Other things to look out for are payment methods. Suppliers usually offer the cheapest rates to customers who pay by monthly Direct Debit, while prepayment tariffs can be more expensive, though there are regulations in place.

Good customer service and review ratings.

Customer satisfaction is also an important factor. When it comes to complaint handling, ensure you check independent ratings (e.g. Citizens Advice or Trustpilot) and look out for:

• The number of complaints per 10,000 customers.

• The resolution speed.

• The number of complaints passed onto the Energy Ombudsman.

Support when you need it most.

Does the supplier you’re considering offer assistance for customers who are struggling to pay? Many suppliers offer some kind of support for those rainy days, whether it’s a payment plan or scheme.

Understanding what that support includes should weigh into your decision making when choosing a supplier.

Technology and green initiatives.

Finally, there are company values and ethical factors. Though these needs may not be a top priority, they could be the factor that helps you finalise your decision.

This can include things like the supplier's commitment to green initiatives and renewable energy, and support and tariffs for specific technology, such as electric vehicles (EV) and smart meters.

Comparing energy suppliers and prices.

Once you’ve decided on your energy priorities, it’s time to compare energy suppliers and the various tariffs available.

How to compare tariff prices.

When looking at a tariff, you can sometimes be overwhelmed with the information available. What you’ll want to do is:

• Compare energy tariff unit rates per kWh for electricity and gas.

• Check the typical daily standing charge for electricity and gas.

• Check whether the prices are fixed or variable.

• Check whether it’s a time of use or economy tariff, which offers different prices at different times of the day.

Most comparison sites and energy suppliers will let you enter your current energy usage, so you can see how much your energy is estimated to cost you each month or year. This means you should be able to find the cheapest energy supplier for you.

Read reviews and check their customer service.

Besides comparing energy prices, It’s important to see how energy suppliers treat their customers, and you can do that by checking Trustpilot as well as the Ofgem rankings for customer service.

These will give you some insight into how your experience will be if you switch your energy to them. Sometimes the cheapest energy supplier doesn’t always have the best customer experience.

Explore renewable energy options.

Some energy suppliers in the UK offer green options, where you can compare renewable energy tariffs, such as 100% renewable electricity or offsetting your energy use by planting trees.

Whilst they might not be the cheapest, they may be the best energy deals if sustainability is important to you.

How to get a better energy deal for your home by switching suppliers.

It couldn’t be easier to switch your electricity and gas supply over to E.ON Next and start enjoying positive energy. We've got a great range of energy tariffs for you to choose from, perfect for getting those electricity and gas bills down.

You can see how much you're paying for energy with your current supplier on your latest energy bill as well as how much electricity and gas you're using. Use that info to get a more accurate quote.

Learn more about how to switch your energy supplier.

Making the most of your energy deal.

So you’ve made the switch to your new energy tariff, what’s next? Well you’ll now want to make the best use of your energy deal. You can do this in a number of ways.

Using your energy at the right time.

If you’re on a smart time of use tariff, such as our Next Drive tariff with cheaper electricity between 12am and 6am, ensure that you charge your EV between those times to see the benefits.

Browse smart tariffs

Getting the most from your smart meter.

Your smart meter’s in-home display should update with your new energy prices, which means you can see how much it’s costing you to use your appliances.

Get a smart meter

Start referring your friends today.

If you switch energy supplier to us, you’ll be able to refer your friends and family. Every time you recommend someone you know, you'll each get a £50 voucher to spend at over 100 retailers.

Refer a friend

Your energy comparison FAQs.