Switching your gas and electricity supplier takes 5 minutes work from you and could save you at least £128* every year. So the better question is, why wouldn’t you switch energy supplier?

Whichever energy provider you use, the same gas and electricity comes into your home. The only difference is the company you pay for it, and the price you pay.

This means that your next-door neighbour could be paying less than you every year. No wonder they can afford that new garden shed...

Switching energy supplier is free and you can switch anytime if you’re not on a fixed-term deal. You can even switch more than once a year if you want.

You can switch your gas and electric supplier at any time and as often as you want, but there are some times when it’s best to switch.

So when should you switch energy supplier?

• If it’s been more than 12 months since you last switched

Most energy companies offer 1-year fixed deals. After that you go on to their standard variable rate (usually their most expensive). If you haven’t switched energy supplier in more than a year, then you can probably save money on your bills.

• In the last 49 days of your deal

Many fixed-term deals have an exit fee if you leave early. However, in the last 49 days of your deal, the exit fee doesn’t apply. If you want to keep saving money on your energy bills this is the best time to switch to a new energy deal before your current cheap deal ends.

• If a new deal can save you money even with an exit fee

Sometimes it’s worth paying the exit fee to get the best cheap energy deal. If your exit fee is £60, and a new deal can save you £120, then it could be worth switching.

• Winter is coming

You’ll use as much as two thirds of your annual energy during the winter months, because you’ll spend more time inside with heating and lights on during those long, dark winter evenings.

• When you move house

Your new property will be a different size with different rooms, and different insulation. Make sure you’re on the cheapest energy deal from the day you move in to maximise your savings.

Energy companies supply the gas and electricity to your home. Or rather, they bill you for the gas and electricity you use. 

The same gas and electricity are supplied to your home whoever you are billed by.

Even if the company goes bust, your supply will carry on, just with a different supplier sending you the bill.

So what’s the difference between all these energy companies, apart from the price you pay? What is it that’s worth an extra £128* a year?

• Customer service 

Customer service varies between companies and there are lots of reviews online to find out which are the best energy companies for service.

Some smaller companies have great customer service ratings, while the big six energy companies often perform less well – which might be because they have so many customers and can’t get it right for everyone?

• Green and renewable energy 

Switching to a green energy deal is important for many energy customers. By switching to a renewable energy deal you can be sure that your gas and electricity helps to save the planet AND save you money.

You can get green energy deals from specialist green suppliers such as Green Energy Network or Pure Planet.

Most of the big and medium-sized energy companies also offer green energy deals which are normally 100% renewable electricity.

Renewable gas is not always available, but some companies such as Pure Planet do offer 100% carbon-offset gas. 

• Smart meters 

Whatever you think about smart meters, they can often be a reason for not switching energy supplier. 

If you don’t want a smart meter, there are plenty of gas and electricity tariffs you can switch to that don’t need you to have your meter changed. 

Or do you have a smart meter and worry about it not working when you switch energy supplier? Good news, you have even more options. 

Firstly, you can run a quick energy quote to see if your current supplier has a cheaper energy deal available. 

Secondly you can switch, save at least £128*, and if you lose any function of your smart meter, then ask your new supplier to fix it. If their service isn’t good enough you can always switch energy with Confused.com again. 

Second generation smart meters are designed to be able to switch energy supplier and still work.