The quickest energy firms to switch to

Find out which energy suppliers have halved switching times to 17 days.

A number of energy firms, including five of the ‘Big Six’, have slashed the time it takes to switch between providers from five weeks down to 17 days.

Ofgem has been working with suppliers, Energy UK and the Department for Energy & Climate Change to overhaul the system and in June 2014 a leaner 17-day process was approved.

The new timeframe includes the statutory 14-day ‘cooling off’ period where switchers can change their mind, plus three days for the actual move to take place.

With switching times halved and a number of competitive tariffs under £1,000, energy secretary Ed Davey says there’s never been a better time to switch.

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Faster switching

11 energy suppliers in total are set up to offer a faster 17-day switch to both new customers wishing to join and existing customers that want to leave. They are:

• SSE
• British Gas
• EDF
• E.ON  
• Npower
• First Utility
• Good Energy
• Utility Warehouse  
• Ecotricity  
• GnERGY
• Spark  

Scottish Power is the only one of the Big Six suppliers that has yet to update its systems fully. It says it has brought in faster switching for customers leaving the company but not for those moving to it. A spokesperson said the final part of the scheme will be in place by the end of January.

The DECC said smaller independent suppliers Extra Energy, Green Star, Ovo and Cooperative Energy, which currently offer some of the cheapest energy tariffs in the UK , will also be able to offer faster switching shortly.

Energy UK figures show around 3.1 million households switched electricity provider in 2014 and of that 1.1 million went from a large supplier to a smaller one.

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The cheapest energy tariffs to switch to in 17 days

Below is a roundup of the cheapest energy tariffs around right now and whether the supplier is offering a 17-day switch timescale.

However, you’ll need to make sure the supplier you are leaving has made the same pledge to ensure the switch takes place in the target 17 days. If only one has the system in place the switch may take longer.

For a walk-through on switching suppliers take a look at our guide How to switch energy supplier.

Source: lovemoney gas & electricity comparison centre.

*Prices based on average consumption as measured by Ofgem of 13,500kWh of gas and 3,200 kWh of electricity and a customer paying by monthly direct debit including VAT on a duel fuel tariff.

**Not available in Scottish Hydro region

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Next day switching

By the end of 2018, Ofgem wants to see next day or 24-hour switching implemented.

It plans to make this possible by replacing the IT systems used in the switching process, which were originally developed in the 1990s.

Customers that want to switch will join their new plan the next day and won’t have to wait for the 14-day cooling off period to pass. Instead the legal right to change your mind will be applicable after the switch has taken place.

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