What our energy expert says:
It may not be the best time to compare and switch right now, but getting switch ready is the best way to make sure you don't miss out on any deals when the market reopens.
Matthew Bolton
Energy expert
We compare trusted gas and electricity suppliers to find you our best deal in minutes
What do the different electricity tariffs mean?
There are four main types of electricity tariff:
- Standard variable tariff
- Fixed-rate tariff
- Green tariff
- Economy 7 tariff
Standard variable tariffs are the default tariff for an energy supplier. If you’ve never compared electricity or you switched to a fixed-rate deal a few years ago, it’s likely that you’re now on a Standard Variable Tariff (SVT). This means you’re probably paying more than you need to. Switching to a new deal or supplier could save you money.
Fixed rate tariffs mean the cost of each unit of electricity is fixed for the length of your deal. Your bills will still go up and down depending on the amount you use each month, but you won’t be affected by market price rises or by price falls. Fixed rate deals will have a time limit and you’ll need to pay an exit fee to leave early.
Green tariffs use electricity generated by renewable resources, mainly wind or solar. When you compare electricity with Confused.com the green tariffs are marked on your quote results. Our green energy guide can tell you more about green tariffs.
Economy 7 tariffs charge a different rate for electricity used during the night to the price charged during the day. You’ll need a special meter which measures the seven off-peak hours separately and charges you less for the electricity used during these hours. The other 17 hours are charged at a more expensive rate applying to daytime usage.
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Need more help?
How do I compare electricity?
When the market and electricity deals return, it will take just five minutes to compare electricity prices with Confused.com. If you have your latest electricity bill it’s even quicker. Give us your current provider, which tariff you’re on and how much you use (all shown on your bill), and we’ll provide an accurate estimate of how much money you’ll save.
If you don’t have a bill to hand, don’t worry - we’ve compared and switched so many people by now that we’re experts – we’ve probably already switched your neighbours
How do I switch electricity provider?
In normal times, switching provider is easy with Confused.com. Enter a few details in our form and select ‘Just Electricity’ when asked about your current supply. The results of your electricity price comparison will appear in order of how much you can save.
Once you’ve selected the supplier you want, we'll take care of the rest. If your new supplier is signed up to the energy switch guarantee, then it'll take no more than 21 days to complete. Any issues will be resolved by your supplier.
Do I have to have a smart meter to switch?
The short answer is no.
The government requires electricity suppliers to offer smart meters to all customers, and some providers do require you to have a smart meter to take their tariff. This is because these companies use smart meter capabilities to reduce their costs.
A smart meter can also help you control your usage by allowing you to see how much you're using and remind you to switch things off to save more money. But the choice is yours – if you don’t want a smart meter then you don’t have to have one – just make sure the tariff you choose on your electricity price comparison doesn’t demand it.
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