When can you switch energy supplier without penalty

Switching from your supplier's standard variable rate tariff to a cheaper fixed rate energy deal is a quick and easy way to cut the cost of your gas and electricity bills, but to make the most of the best-priced energy deals out there, you need to regularly compare energy prices and switch.

When is the best time to switch my energy tariff?

With current deals being cheaper, our current advice is for customers to sit tight until they are closer to their expiry date ideally switching 3-weeks before. That way, they maximise their savings on their current deal before switching to the new deal which is going to be slightly more expensive.

What happens when my energy tariff ends?

When you switch to a fixed rate energy deal, you agree to pay a set amount for each unit of energy you use for the length of the deal - remember, it's only the unit rate that is fixed, so the more energy you use, the higher your bills will be.

Fixed rate deals usually last for 12 months, although some allow you to lock in your rates for longer, and when the contract reaches its end date, your supplier will automatically roll you onto its more expensive standard variable rate.

Although you won't be tied down to your supplier's variable rate deal, meaning you can switch at any time, to avoid overpaying for your energy, you should switch to a new deal before your current one expires.

The trouble is, many fixed rate deals come with an early exit fee, which is a penalty charge for backing out of your deal early.

These fees are usually charged per fuel, meaning that if you're on a dual fuel energy deal, you'll be charged two fees - one for gas and one for electricity - and the combined cost might add up to more than you'll save by switching, so always bear this in mind when comparing energy prices.

The good news is that not all fixed rate energy tariffs include this fee, and there is actually a way around paying it even on those deals that do.

How can I find out if my energy deal is ending?

The end date of a fixed rate energy contract probably isn't an anniversary you'll commit to memory, but there are a number simple ways to find out if your energy deal is ending.

The first is to check the table below, which shows all the energy deals ending this month - if your deal is on there, you can now switch with paying an exit fee.

Energy tariffs expiring this month

Below is a list of the energy tariffs for all energy suppliers due to expire this month:

Supplier Tariff Name Expiry Date
Ebico Living Ebico Prime 12 Saver March 2022 v2 30/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london tree plan 12m fixed march 2022 v2 30/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london carbon neutral plan 12m fixed march 2022 v2 30/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london fixed yearly plan 12m fixed march 2022 v1 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london tree plan 12m fixed february 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london carbon neutral plan 12m fixed february 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Ebico Living Ebico Prime 12 Saver February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Co-operative Energy Co-op 12M Fixed February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Co-operative Energy Co-op Community Power 12M Fixed February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Co-operative Energy Co-op Loyal 12M Fixed February 2022 v1 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Affect Energy Affect 12M Fixed February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Co-operative Energy Co-op 12M Fixed March 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Co-operative Energy Co-op Community Power 12M Fixed March 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Co-operative Energy Co-op Loyal 12M Fixed March 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
M&S Energy M&S 12M Fixed February 2022 v1 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE 1 Year Fixed v19 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE 1 Year Fixed v20 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE 1 Year Fixed v21 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE 1 Year Fixed v22 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Energy 20220225 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Energy 20220304 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Energy 20220315 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Energy 20220322 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220225 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220302 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220303 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220304 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220311 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220317 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220322 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
OVO energy Better Smart 20220325 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
EDF Energy Easy Online+BoilerCareGold Mar23 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
EDF Energy Easy Online+BoilerCareGold Mar23v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
EDF Energy Fix Total Service Mar23v4 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
EDF Energy Fix Total Service Mar23v5 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
npower Price Freeze March 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Green Fixed 26 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
ScottishPower Exclusive Fixed March 2023 B1 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Scottish Hydro 1 Year Fixed v19 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Scottish Hydro 1 Year Fixed v20 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Scottish Hydro 1 Year Fixed v21 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Scottish Hydro 1 Year Fixed v22 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Southern Electric 1 Year Fixed v19 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Southern Electric 1 Year Fixed v20 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Southern Electric 1 Year Fixed v21 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Southern Electric 1 Year Fixed v22 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Swalec 1 Year Fixed v19 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Swalec 1 Year Fixed v20 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Swalec 1 Year Fixed v21 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
SSE Swalec 1 Year Fixed v22 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Value 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Gold 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Double Gold 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Green Fixed 35 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Green Fixed 37 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Green Fixed 38 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Warehouse Green Fixed 39 EPG 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Shell Energy March 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Together Energy Brexit Protect 36 Month November22 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Together Energy Green Brexit Protect 25 Month November22 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
EDF Energy Simply Online 2 Year Fix Mar23 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
EDF Energy Simply Online 2 Year Fix Mar23v3 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Sainsbury's Energy Sainsbury's Energy 2 Year Fix and Reward v14 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Point Just Join Up 21 18M Fixed Wk34 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Utility Point Just Join Up 21 18M Fixed Wk35 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Green Doppler 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
GEUK Sparkling V3 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
GEUK EKO Energy V4 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
GEUK Sparkling V2 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
GEUK EKO Energy V3 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
GEUK Sparkling 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
GEUK EKO Energy 2023 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Outfox the Market Fix'd X 22 4.0 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Outfox the Market ECO7 Fix'd X Feb22 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Octopus Energy Super Green Octopus 12M Fixed February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Octopus Energy Octopus 12M Fixed February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Octopus Energy Arsenal Green 12M Fixed February 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Octopus Energy Loyal Octopus 12M Fixed February 2022 v1 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london fixed yearly plan 12m fixed february 2022 v4 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
M&S Energy M&S 12M Fixed March 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london fixed yearly plan 12m fixed march 2022 v3 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london fixed yearly plan 12m fixed march 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Octopus Energy Arsenal Green 12M Fixed March 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
Octopus Energy Super Green Octopus 12M Fixed March 2022 v2 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
London Power my london fixed yearly plan 12m fixed march 2022 v4 31/03/2023 Compare Now >
M&S Energy M&S 12M Fixed March 2022 v3 31/03/2023 Compare Now >

How can I switch energy supplier without penalty?

You can switch energy supplier without paying an exit fee up to 49 day before your contract is due to expire.

Introduced by Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, the rules state that a customer must not be charged exit fees if they leave during or after the 'switching window, which is "49 calendar days before a fixed term contract ends".

When is my energy deal ending?

You can find out if your energy tariff's end date by doing any one of the following:

  • Check your most recent energy bill - Whether you're billed online or through the post, all the information you need to switch supplier can be found on your latest bill, including the amount of energy you use, the name of the plan you're currently on and the date it's due to end.
  • Get in touch with your energy supplier - If you can't find a recent bill but you do know who supplies your energy, you can find out your contract's end date by getting in touch with your supplier and asking them. They should be able to give you the information you need based on your address and the security questions on your account.
  • Wait for your supplier to get in touch with you - Once your energy deal is nearing its expiry date, your supplier has to write and let you know. You should get a letter through the post between 42 and 49 days before your tariff ends, which will outline the exact end date - once this arrives, you can switch without having to pay any exit fee.

What should I do if my energy deal is ending?

Compare prices and switch, is the simple answer.

If your energy deal comes with an exit fee attached, you should start comparing prices as soon as it enters its last 49 days - although you can compare prices and switch online in minutes, the actual switching process can take up to 21 days, so it makes sense to arrange your transfer to a new supplier as soon as possible.

If your energy deal doesn't charge an early exit fee, it makes sense to compare prices every month, to see if you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere. Although this might sound like an unnecessary hassle, it only takes a few minutes to run an energy price comparison with The Energy Shop and, once you decide on a deal you like, we'll handle the whole switch for you.

What happens if I don't switch before my current energy deal ends?

If you don't switch before your current deal ends, your supplier will simply roll you onto its standard variable rate tariff - although this means you'll still have gas and electricity to power your property, it also means you'll be paying more than you need to for energy.

And while the government's energy price cap puts a maximum on the amount suppliers can charge on their standard variable rate deals, you can save a lot more money by switching to a better-priced fixed rate energy deal.

If you are rolled onto your supplier's standard variable rate tariff, you can switch away from this at any time, without being charged a penalty.

How do I switch energy suppliers?

The simplest way to switch energy supplier is to run a energy price comparison - we'll instantly compare the best deals from across the market, so you can see how much you could save by switching.

All you have to do is find a deal you like and let us know you want to switch by clicking the 'Proceed' button. We'll then handle the rest of the switch from there, by informing your current supplier that you'll be leaving and letting your new one know you're joining.

You'll be with your new supplier and saving money within 21 days.

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