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Switching your energy supplier can be a daunting prospect, but it's easy with the

uSwitch switching service.

We've pulled together the most common questions about switching to help you get

started.

Who is uSwitch?

Can I really save money by switching energy suppliers?

What's involved in switching energy suppliers with uSwitch?

Will there be any interruption to my supply?

If I decide to switch, do I need to contact my current energy supplier?

I'm not sure who my current supplier is, how can I find out?

How do I know if my new energy supplier is reliable?

What if I'm moving house?

Can I get gas and electricity from the same supplier?

Do I have to change energy suppliers?

MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number) - what is it, and how do I find it?

MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) - what is it, and how do I find it?

What do I do if I need help with switching?

What is Ofgem?

Energy switching - questions & answers

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Who deals with complaints about my new supplier?

I've got a prepayment meter - can I switch suppliers?

What are Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs)? How do I know if I'm served by one and

can I still switch?

I've got a prepayment meter - can I switch to a standard meter?

Are my bank details secure with uSwitch?

My question isn't on the list...

What is uSwitch?

uSwitch is a free online and telephone comparison and switching service that helps you

to save money on gas and electricity. uSwitch adheres to the Confidence Code, which is a

voluntary code of practice for energy price comparison sites set out by energy regulator

Ofgem.

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Energy switching questions & answers - uSwitch.com

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Can I really save money by switching energysuppliers?

You could save up to £567 by switching to your cheapest energy supplier . Suppliers are

always changing their tariffs and prices so, regardless of which company you're with, you

might still be able to save a substantial amount. You should check uSwitch regularly to

make sure you're still getting a good deal.

What's involved in switching energysuppliers with uSwitch?

The following process will take just a few minutes of your time:

Compare all of the suppliers and plans using the uSwitch calculator.

Select the best value deal for you and complete the switching details required. To

compare and switch takes around five minutes.

Then sit back and wait:

uSwitch will send you an email to confirm the switch.

The details are processed and forwarded to the supplier.

The supplier will contact you to confirm the date on which your new service will

commence. You will have to take a meter reading on this date, to ensure you're not

billed twice for the same energy.

Per Ofgem's new rules, suppliers must complete your switch in 17 days. That includes a

two week cooling off period, in which you can change your mind about the switch. For

more information, read our guide to switching your gas and electricity .

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Will there be any interruption to my supply?

No. Your new supplier will continue to use exactly the same wires, pipes and meters as

you currently use. Your new supplier will also contact your existing supplier to arrange

the transfer of your supply.

The only change you will notice is the company name at the top of your bill and less

money coming out of your bank!

If I decide to switch, do I need to contact mycurrent energy supplier?

Your new supplier will arrange the transfer for you. However, you should ensure that

your new supplier takes a final meter reading from you (at the date of transfer), so your

current supplier can produce a final bill.

I'm not sure who my current supplier is,how can I find out?

If you are not sure who is currently supplying gas and/or electricity to your property, you

should:

review any recent bills you may have paid

contact the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524 (calls cost 7p per minute plus

your phone company's access charge) and they will tell you who your current gas

supplier is

ask your landlord or letting agency, or contact your regional electricity supplier. You

can obtain their phone number from directory enquiries

Learn more about finding out who supplies your electricity and gas.

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How do I know if my new energy supplier isreliable?

uSwitch commissioned YouGov, one of the UK's leading market research companies to

conduct a survey of gas and electricity customers. With our survey results you will be

able to get an insight into customers' satisfaction with their current gas and electricity

suppliers and read customers' reviews.

What if I'm moving house?

If you're moving house, here's what you need to do to make sure you get the cheapest

gas and electricity bills in your new house.

1. Find out who the current supplier is at your new property . If the previous

occupier of your house hasn't left you any information, you can find out who your

gas supplier is by calling the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524 (calls cost

7p per minute plus your phone company's access charge). To find out your

electricity supplier, call your local electricity distribution company - the number will

be in the local phone directory under 'Electricity'. Learn more about finding out who

supplies your electricity and gas.

2. Call your supplier, and ask them to register you as the new occupier of the

property. Ask them the name of the plan you're on at the same time.

3. Run a price comparison. Use energy comparison sites such as uSwitch and run a

comparison. We'll ask you for information about your energy usage, but it doesn't

matter if you don't know this - just select 'No details handy' and we'll ask questions

about your property and lifestyle so we can estimate your usage. Then we'll show

you your cheapest deal on gas and electricity, and you can complete your switch -

simple!

Can I get gas and electricity from the samesupplier?

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Yes. Many suppliers now supply both gas and electricity and offer combined plans that

include incentives, discounts or reduced prices. These plans are often referred to as "

dual fuel " deals.

Do I have to change energy suppliers?

No. By comparing suppliers on uSwitch you can see how your current deal compares to

other tariffs and suppliers in your area, but you're under no obligation to switch.

However, you might find your current supplier is not giving you the best deal. Compare

energy deals to see if you could save now.

MPRN (Gas Meter Point Reference Number)- what is it, and how do I find it?

Your MPRN is the unique identifying number for the gas meter at your property. Your

MPRN is usually a ten digit number (although it can be shorter), commonly referred to as

an "M" number, and can be found on your gas bill. If you can't locate your MPRN on your

bill, you can call the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524 (calls cost 7p per minute

plus your phone company's access charge).

MPAN (Electricity Supply Number) - what isit, and how do I find it?

Your 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?

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You can contact the uSwitch customer service desk on: Tel: 0800 404 7908 (freephone)

Fax: 0207 911 6102 Email: CustomerServices@uswitch.com

Opening hours are:

Monday to Thursday 8am - 9pm Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday: 10am -

5pm

You can also use our new Send Us Your Bill service - just send us copy of you bill and

we'll do the rest.

What can I do to make my bills cheaper?

Energy companies offer lots of different tariffs and it can be hard to know which will be

the cheapest plan for you. However, as a general rule, the cheapest plans on the market

will be:

Dual fuel - you get both gas and electricity from one supplier.

Direct Debit - most suppliers offer discounts if you pay by Direct Debit rather than

cash or cheque.

Online plans - this means you that you sign up to and manage the plan online.

What is Ofgem?

Ofgem, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, is the independent regulator of the gas

and electricity industries.

Ofgem was formed in June 1999 by combining the functions of the former Office of Gas

Supply (OFGAS) and the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER).

The body was set up by the government to protect the interests of all gas and electricity

customers, and to promote competition in the supply and regulation of the gas and

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electricity industries throughout Great Britain.

Ofgem can be contacted on 020 7901 7000 , or by post at Ofgem, 9 Millbank, London

SW1P 3GE. Find out more about Ofgem by visiting the Ofgem website.

Who deals with complaints about my newsupplier?

If you have a complaint, you should try to resolve it with your energy supplier directly.

If you are not satisfied with their response, you can contact the Citizens Advice

Consumer Service. Go to Citizens Advice Consumer Service. The quickest and easiest

ways to raise a complaint with Consumer Direct is to call or call on 08454 04 05 06.

I've got a prepayment meter - can I switchsuppliers?

Yes. You can compare prices and switch to a cheaper prepayment tariff with uSwitch.

Just select the 'prepayment' option when we ask you how you pay your bill and how you

would like to pay your bill. Compare prepayment tariffs now.

What are Independent Gas Transporters(IGTs)? How do I know if I'm served by oneand can I still switch?

Independent Gas Transporters (IGTs) are companies that own and operate the network

of pipes that supply gas in some areas, rather than Transco or the National Grid, which

do this for most homes in the country.

Many new homes are served by an Independent Gas Transporter, because they charge

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less to connect new properties, which can save the house builder money.

You can find out if you are served by an Independent Gas Transporter by looking at your

gas meter number (also known as your MPRN number). If it starts with 74, 75, 76 or 77

then you are served by an Independent Gas Transporter. Learn how to find your MPRN

Number.

If you get your gas via an IGT you may find that you pay more for it - this is because the

gas company will have to pay the IGT a fee to use their pipes to deliver your gas.

At the moment, uSwitch isn't able to provide quotes specifically for IGT customers.

However, you can still do a gas and electricity comparison using our service as normal, to

see which suppliers and tariffs are the cheapest for your area.

We'd then suggest ringing the suppliers directly to find out how much those particular

tariffs cost for IGT customers, so you get the most accurate idea of what will be cheapest

for you.

I've got a prepayment meter - can I switchto a standard meter?

Yes, but it can be expensive. You may have to pay for a new meter to be fitted,

which could cost upwards of £100.

You will usually have to have been with your energy supplier for a year before they will

let you switch from a prepayment meter to a standard meter and you may also have to

pay a security deposit and be credit checked.

To find out more about switching from a prepayment meter to a standard meter, speak

to your energy supplier.

Are my bank details secure with uSwitch?

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Yes, your bank details are completely safe. You can rest assured that any personal

information will only be seen by uSwitch and your new energy supplier so that we can

set up your new direct debit.

My question isn't on the list...

If you can't find the answer to your question, you can contact the uSwitch customer

service team on 0800 404 7908 (freephone) or at CustomerServices@uswitch.com.

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