Understanding when you can switch your energy supplier without incurring a penalty is crucial for efficient energy management and saving money. This guide demystifies the process, providing you with comprehensive insights and tips to avoid unnecessary fees when making the switch.
You can switch energy supplier without paying an exit fee up to 49 day before your contract is due to expire.
Introduced by Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, the rules state that a customer must not be charged exit fees if they leave during or after the 'switching window, which is "49 calendar days before a fixed term contract ends".
The end date of a fixed rate energy contract probably isn't an anniversary you'll commit to memory, but there are a number simple ways to find out if your energy deal is ending.
The first is to check the table below, which shows all the energy deals ending this month - if your deal is on there, you can now switch with paying an exit fee.
Below is a list of the energy tariffs for all energy suppliers due to expire this month:
Supplier | Tariff Name | Expiry Date | |
---|---|---|---|
SSE Scottish Hydro | 3 Year Fixed v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE Scottish Hydro | 3 Year Fixed v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
EDF Energy | EDF Essentials 1Yr Nov24 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
EDF Energy | Pod Point EV ExclusiveNov24v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Sainsbury's Energy | Sainsburys Fix and Reward Fixed 12M V3 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Shell Energy | Energy November 2024 v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Shell Energy | Energy November 2024 v4 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Shell Energy | Go Further November 2024 plus Shop Voucher | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Shell Energy | Go Further November 2024 plus Shop Voucher v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
OVO energy | 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover 10 October 2023 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
OVO energy | 1 Year Fixed + Greener Energy 10 October 2023 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
OVO energy | 1 Year Fixed 10 October 2023 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
OVO energy | OVO 3 Year Fixed 02 November 2021 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
OVO energy | OVO 3 Year Fixed 14 October 2021 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Co-op Energy | Co-op Loyal 12M Fixed September 2023 v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
So Energy | So Juniper One Year ? Green | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
So Energy | So Lavender | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Bulb | Loyal Octopus 12M Fixed September 2023 v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE | 3 Year Fixed v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE | 3 Year Fixed v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Utility Warehouse | UW Fixed 10 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Utility Warehouse | UW Fixed 9 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Utility Warehouse | UW Fixed Saver 10 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Fixed Nov24 v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Fixed Nov24 v4 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Moving Home Exclusive Nov24 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Moving Home Exclusive Nov24 v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Moving Home Exclusive V3 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Moving Home Exclusive v4 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Moving Home Exclusive v5 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Smart Fixed v5 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | Smart Fixed v7 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | The Fixed One v24 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | The Fixed One v26 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | The Fixed One v27 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
British Gas | The Fixed One v28 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Octopus Energy | Loyal Octopus 12M Fixed September 2023 v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE Swalec | 3 Year Fixed v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE Swalec | 3 Year Fixed v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE Southern Electric | 3 Year Fixed v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
SSE Southern Electric | 3 Year Fixed v2 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
E.ON Next | Next Fixed 12M V3 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Ebico Living | Ebico Loyal Prime 12 Saver September 2023 v1 | 30/11/2024 | Compare Now > |
Below are some other ways to find out when your current energy deal ends.
Compare prices and switch, is the simple answer.
If your energy deal comes with an exit fee attached, you should start comparing energy suppliers as soon as it enters its last 49 days - although you can compare prices and switch online in minutes, the actual switching process can take up to 21 days, so it makes sense to arrange your transfer to a new supplier as soon as possible.
If your energy deal doesn't charge an early exit fee, it makes sense to compare prices every month, to see if you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere. Although this might sound like an unnecessary hassle, it only takes a few minutes to run an energy price comparison with The Energy Shop and, once you decide on a deal you like, we'll handle the whole switch for you.
If you don't switch before your current deal ends, your supplier will simply roll you onto its standard variable rate tariff - although this means you'll still have gas and electricity to power your property, it also means you'll be paying more than you need to for energy.
If you are rolled onto your supplier's standard variable rate tariff, you can switch away from this at any time, without being charged a penalty.
The simplest way to switch energy supplier is to run a energy price comparison - we'll instantly compare the best deals from across the market, so you can see how much you could save by switching.
All you have to do is find a deal you like and let us know you want to switch by clicking the 'Proceed' button. We'll then handle the rest of the switch from there, by informing your current supplier that you'll be leaving and letting your new one know you're joining.
You'll be with your new supplier and saving money within 21 days.
Want to be amongst the first to be notified when more competitive energy tariffs become available? Enter your email address here...