When is the best time to switch energy supplier?
THE QUICK ANSWER
The best time to compare energy deals is whenever your current tariff is ending, your rates are changing, your household circumstances have changed or a clearly better deal could outweigh any exit fee. If you are on a fixed tariff, the final 49 days are especially important because you can normally switch without paying an exit fee. If you are on a standard variable tariff, you can usually switch at any time.
There is no single best month for everyone
People often ask whether summer, winter or the weeks before an Ofgem price-cap change are the best time to switch. In practice, the right moment depends more on your tariff, your usage and the deals available than on the season.
Energy prices can move in either direction, and nobody can know with certainty whether today's fixed deal will beat future variable rates. Waiting for the perfect moment can mean spending months on an unsuitable tariff. A better approach is to identify the points when a comparison is particularly worthwhile, then judge the options using your own annual consumption and the full tariff terms.
The following situations are the strongest prompts to review your energy deal.
Strongest prompts to review your energy deal
Your fixed tariff has 49 days or less remaining
Citizens Advice states that if a fixed tariff has 49 days or less left, you can switch without paying an exit fee. If 50 days or more remain, your supplier might charge an early-exit fee, so check the tariff terms. Add the tariff end date to your BillGoose account or calendar and begin comparing around seven weeks beforehand.
Your fixed deal is ending and the replacement tariff is unclear
Your supplier should tell you what happens when your fixed tariff ends. Do not assume the offered replacement is automatically competitive. Compare the estimated annual cost, unit rates, standing charges, contract length and exit fees with alternatives from other suppliers.
You are on a standard variable tariff
Customers on standard variable tariffs can generally switch at any time. These tariffs are covered by Ofgem's price cap, but the cap is not a guarantee that a default tariff is the cheapest option. It limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge, not the total amount you pay.
Your supplier announces a price or tariff change
A notification about changing rates, terms or payment arrangements is a good reason to review your position. Read the notice carefully: identify when the change takes effect, whether you can leave without a fee and what the new annual estimate would be for your usage.
Your energy use has changed
A tariff that suited you last year may no longer fit if your household has changed. Common triggers include moving home, working from home more often, installing an electric vehicle charger, adding solar panels, fitting a heat pump, changing from prepayment to direct debit or having more people living at the property.
A new deal could repay its exit fee
An exit fee does not always mean you should wait. If a substantially cheaper tariff is available, the saving over the remaining contract period might exceed the fee. Calculate the net benefit rather than looking at the fee alone.
Net benefit of switching early
| Potential saving | Costs of leaving | Net position |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated saving over the remaining term | Exit fee for gas and/or electricity | Saving minus all leaving costs |
| Use the same annual-consumption assumptions | Check whether fees apply to each fuel | Switch only if the overall deal still makes sense |
Remember that the future saving is an estimate, especially if you are comparing a fixed tariff with a variable tariff whose rates can change.
Should you switch before winter?
Winter is when many households use the most gas and electricity, so entering the colder months on a competitive tariff can matter. However, autumn is not automatically the cheapest time to switch. Tariff prices reflect wholesale costs, supplier pricing and market conditions, not simply the outside temperature.
It is sensible to review your deal before higher winter usage begins, particularly if your fixed tariff is ending. But do not accept a poor deal just because winter is approaching, and do not wait until autumn if a suitable tariff is available earlier.
Should you wait for the next price-cap announcement?
Ofgem updates the default-tariff price cap every three months. Announcements can provide useful context for customers on standard variable tariffs, but a price-cap forecast is not a promise and does not show what every fixed tariff will cost.
Waiting may be reasonable if your current tariff is competitive, has no imminent change and you want to see confirmed information. Switching sooner may be more appropriate if your tariff is ending, you are paying more than suitable alternatives or a fixed deal offers certainty you value. The decision should be based on your circumstances, not a single market prediction.
Your switching timeline
2 to 3 months before a fixed deal ends
Find your tariff end date, annual kWh use, payment method, meter type and current exit fee. Set a reminder for the 49-day window.
Within the final 49 days
Compare available tariffs. Check annual cost, unit rates, standing charges, contract term, meter compatibility and supplier service.
When you choose a deal
Confirm the tariff details and switching date. Domestic customers normally receive a 14-day cooling-off period.
During the switch
A switch requested as soon as possible should normally complete within five working days. Keep confirmation emails and provide meter readings when requested.
After the switch
Check the opening and final readings, review your final bill and make sure any credit balance is returned.
Times when switching needs extra care
- You owe money to your supplier. Debt can affect whether and how you switch, particularly for prepayment customers.
- You pay your landlord rather than the supplier. The person responsible for the energy account usually controls the supplier choice.
- Your home is on a heat network. Customers on heat networks cannot usually choose a different energy supplier in the same way.
- You have Economy 7, another time-of-use tariff or a specialist meter. Confirm compatibility before switching.
- Your supplier has failed. Follow Ofgem's advice and wait for a new supplier to be appointed rather than starting a new switch immediately.
- You receive support linked to your supplier or tariff. Check whether switching affects any discount, vulnerability service or payment arrangement.
Ready to check today's energy deals?
Enter your postcode and use your annual gas and electricity consumption if you have it. BillGoose can help you compare the estimated yearly cost and key tariff terms, so you can decide whether switching now is better than staying where you are.
Compare with BillGoose
Use BillGoose to compare energy tariffs by estimated annual cost, unit rates, standing charges, contract length and exit fees. The goal is to switch at the right time for your household, not to chase a perfect moment that may never arrive.
