Common Questions
1. Is switching easy?
Yes. At Switch 365, one can make comparisons and decide what supplier suits their needs best and still are cost-efficient. They will then contact the user to make sure all information is verified. The new supplier will then correspond with the old supplier and all agreements will be handled along with the first date of the new supplier which should be around four weeks after the contract is agreed upon. A final bill from the supplier will be followed by a new bill from the new supplier after the switchover is done.
2. Can anyone switch?
Yes. Ofgem has detached the 28-day rule which allows suppliers to attract customers for longer agreements. However no action has take place on this step till now Most energy companies offer rolling 28-day contracts, so unless it’s been less than 28 days since you signed up with your existing supplier, you’ll be free to switch.
3. Are prices rising?
According to the news, the energy prices did increase till early 2007. Then they started coming down. However energy prices are affected by a lot of factors like weather, exports, imports, labor costs, resources, etc. To avoid such fluctuations, many people prefer selecting capped tariffs which saves them from the ever changing prices and allows them to stick to their original rates.
4. How much can I save?
£340 is the minimum that an average family in UK can save by switching suppliers on their gas and electricity bills. It however is also dependent upon the user’s location, their average usage, and supplier’s charges at particular areas. One can check the correct amount of savings at Switch 365 by adding some basic information including post code and get an accurate idea about how much can they save.
5. Do I have to cancel my direct debit?
If you want to be secure from your side, you can cancel it yourself. However, once a supplier is changed, the direct debit with the old supplier is cancelled automatically.
6. Do I need to contact my existing supplier?
There is no need as such. That is the best part. The new supplier will take it in its own hands to contact the old supplier and make all the necessary arrangements. The user is supposed to receive a final bill from the old supplier and a switchover date from the new supplier.
7. How do I make the right choice?
Switch 365 is there for you to assist you in making the correct choices. Yes there so many plans and discounts available, so many tariffs available that can confuse anyone. Switch 365 helps in checking what suit you the best, a capped tariff option, green energy, dual fuel or anything else depending on what is available at your end, making comparisons for you amongst all the suppliers. You can choose the best deal and can even make changes online.
8. How do I find out who my existing supplier is??
The supplier’s name is mentioned on every bill at the top. The meter number helpline number is 0870 608 1524 in case one does not have a bill.
9. Will there be a disruption or loss of energy?
No. In case all goes well between the old and new supplier, there will be a new switchover date decided without any disruption. To avoid any hassles keep the meter reading of the first day which switch is made in case you might need it for a comparison when bill from the last supplier is received.
10. Will it affect my heating insurance policy?
No. You don’t have to take gas and electricity from an energy supplier to sign up for one of its heating or boiler cover policies, so switching your energy away shouldn’t cause any problems. However, if your cover was part of a deal that offered a discount when taking the energy too, you might have to pay the difference.
11. Can I switch my business' energy?
Yes. There should be no problem if the changes are made according to the contractual agreements. These are mostly business agreements which are made for a fixed time. In case of more queries, please contact Switch 365’s sales team on 0800 63 000 63.
12. Do I have to take my gas and electricity from separate providers?
It depends upon your usage and the suppliers in your area. You are free to take gas and electricity from different suppliers if that suits you. You can check individual prices at Switch 365. However mostly it is the dual fuel deals, that is, having one gas and electricity supplier, that works out to be much more cheaper
13. Will my special needs be catered for?
Yes, all energy suppliers are supposed to follow a code of practice as a matter of law which includes helping disabled, ill, blind, partially sighted, deaf and elderly people.
14. I’m on a prepayment meter. Can I switch?
Yes. Prepayment meter has its own advantages, as proven by Ofgem. This is mainly because they have standard rates. This helps in big savings. Unfortunately, they cannot avail any online discounts. This switch also cannot be made online. An engineer has to come to your home to make the changes. One can check the best payment option for their suppliers also on Switch 365.
15. Can I still switch if I’m in debt with my supplier?
That would be a wrong step. In case if you are in debt with your suppliers, they have a full authority to stop you from making any changes. You would be forced to clear your outstanding bills before making changes. If the payment is through direct debit, the amount outstanding is cleared from the account itself, thus avoiding much problems. In case there is a problem in that front also, it is better to clear up the situation with your old supplier. You can check tariffs which have been discovered mostly for users who are weak and struggling with their payment.
16. How do I complain about my new supplier?
Well Ofgem acts as the biggest watchdog for energy regulation, followed by Consumer Focus so complaints about energy suppliers can be made there. However the first attempt should always be to handle the complaints with the supplier himself.
17. Will I be penalised?
Only under certain circumstances. Like in case you use the capped tariff plans, they are supposed to be fixed for a certain period of time. In case you plan on switching suppliers before that time is finished, you would end up breaking the contract. There might be a penalty or cancellation fees for that. In any case, prevention is better always. Before making and changes in your suppliers, do try to go through your contract to have a look whether any such terms exist. Being with your old supplier for more than 28 days should work for your benefit also.
18. What's involved in switching energy suppliers with switch365.co.uk?
You can make comparisons among all the energy suppliers at Switch 365. We will later correspond with you to verify all your plans and requirements. All details taken from you are forwarded to your new supplier. The supplier is then supposed to contact you with a new date for service change. On your part, all you need to do is to make note of the meter reading for the first date of the supplier change to make sure that you are not getting two bills for the same consumption
19. Do I have to change energy suppliers?
There is no urgency to do that. Again it depends upon you requirements. switch365.co.uk is always there to give the latest information in terms of suppliers and their prices and services.
MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) - what is it, and how do I find it?
MPAN is the unique identifying number for the electricity meter at your property. Your MPAN is commonly referred to as a "Supply Number" or "S" number, and it can be found on your electricity bill. If you can't locate your "S" number, you should contact your current electricity supplier, who will be able to tell you the number.
What do I do if I need help with switching?
You can contact the Switch 365 Helpline:
Tel: 0800 63 000 63
Fax: 01943871690
Email: enquiry@switch365.co.uk
Opening hours are: Monday to Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed