Best UK Energy Suppliers For 2024

Using our online comparison tool, powered by our energy price comparison partner, uSwitch, we ran quotes (28 August 2024), to review dual tariff energy deals.

Our research is based on a typical 2-3 bedroom property with an annual electricity usage of 2,700 kWh and an annual gas usage of 11,500 kWh.

We have assumed this household pays for energy monthly via direct debit.

We then ranked each energy deal based on the following factors:

• price: how much the tariff costs
• green energy: whether this tariff offers energy from renewable sources, and in what proportion and mix
• customer service: how customers rate their experience with the provider based on the most recent reviews collected by Citizens Advice
• exit fees: how much it costs to leave a fixed deal before the term ends once the 14-day cooling-off period ends.

We awarded each policy a Forbes Advisor star rating out of five.

While price is often the primary drive for switching, it also presents the opportunity to ensure that your new tariff meets all of your needs. Here are some other potential motivators:

Customer service

It may be worth weighing up price against the service you get for your money. For example, it could be worth paying £10 more a year for a supplier that has short waiting times on the phone, responds quickly to emails, and has a good complaints record.

Payment method

Think about your preferred payment method too. In some cases, you can pay by cheque or even cash, but most providers encourage payments direct from your bank account. Some offer a discount – typically 5% – if you pay monthly and manage your account online.

Green considerations

As the UK aims for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, many energy companies are building their green energy offering. This is where certain smaller challenger brands come into their own, offering only green renewable electricity or even a vegan energy offering, where animals are not used in energy production.

Exit fees

If you’re contemplating a fixed-rate, fixed-term tariff, look out for a charge for leaving the deal before the end of your contracted term. This is known as the exit fee, and is only worth paying if you have found a much cheaper deal to switch to.

Before switching energy suppliers, you’ll need to compare tariffs to find the right deal for you – energy price comparison websites (we work in partnership with uSwitch) are a great place to start as they allow you to compare different options once you’ve entered a few basic details. 

It helps to have the following details ready so that you can get accurate quote prices for the energy deals available:

• your address
• your current supplier
• your current tariff
• how much energy you use
• how much you pay for energy.

You can find your supplier, tariff and price information on a recent bill or by logging into your online account. However, If you don’t have some of the details to hand, you can choose an estimate from the price comparison website, but bear in mind that this is just a guide and may not accurately reflect how much your energy bill will be. 

Once your quotes are available, you can compare providers based on key factors such as price. It also helps to look at their customer service ratings. If you find a better value deal than the one you’re currently on, it could be worth switching to help you save. All you’ll need to do is complete the switch application with the new provider online or over the phone. It will help to have your current gas and electricity meter readings on hand when you sign up. 

Your new provider will contact you with a switching date and it can take up to five working days to complete the switch. However, you can choose for your switch to take place at a later date. There’s a 14-day cooling off period when you move to a new energy provider. That means that you can cancel the tariff without incurring exit fees during those two weeks. 

Energy suppliers are responsible for the process of moving you from one provider to another once your switch application is complete. Your new supplier will inform you about your switch date.

It may take up to five working days to complete the switch, however you can choose for it to take place at a later date. You’ll also need to provide your old energy supplier with gas and or electricity meter readings on the date of your switch so it can calculate your final bill. 

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding if a supplier is right for you.

The price of the tariff is important, as is the quality of customer support to ensure you get the level of service you need. For example, if you prefer speaking with customer service over the phone, you may wish to choose a provider that offers a telephone support service rather than one that’s purely online or app-based.

It’s also worth looking into customer reviews of different providers to give you more insight into the level of service you can expect. 

Standard variable rate/default tariff

You are likely to be on a standard variable rate, or ‘default’ tariff, if you have never switched energy provider or haven’t done so for a couple of years. These tariffs are typically the most expensive on the market. Energy providers typically roll customers onto this type of tariff once they come to the end of their deal term, which is why it is important to remember to switch again.

Fixed tariff

Unlike a default/variable tariff, a fixed tariff guarantees that you will pay a set amount for a unit of energy throughout a specified term – usually 12 or 24 months. It is often the cheaper option, and you know there will be no price rise during the term.

Economy 7/10

Some providers offer Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs which charge a different price for a unit of energy in the day than at night. The number following Economy refers to the number of hours you will be charged lower night-time rates.

You’ll need storage heaters to make the best use of such a tariff. You’ll also have a special meter.

Cooling-off period

During the cooling-off period, which is the first 14 days of your contract, you are allowed to opt out of the deal if you change your mind, at no cost. You’ll simply continue with your existing provider and tariff.

Annual statement

A document provided by the provider to a customer detailing their tariff, consumption over the past 12 months, and an estimate of the next year’s energy costs.

Automatic contract rollover

Under the terms of most energy contracts, once you have reached the end of the specified term for a fixed term tariff, your provider can extend it automatically or roll you on to another fixed contract unless you switch to a different deal.

kWh/ mWh

kWh stands for kilowatt-hour, the unit of measure used by energy providers to calculate your gas and electricity consumption. A 1000 kWh is a megawatt-hour (mWh).

Energy Ombudsman Service

Customers can escalate complaints which they feel have not been adequately resolved by their provider to the ombudsman, which deals specifically with energy suppliers and energy network operators.

Standing charge

A daily or monthly fee that you pay your provider to supply your energy, including maintenance costs.

Exit fees

If you have a fixed rate, fixed term tariff and you decide to switch to another deal before the end of the term, you may be charged an exit fee by your provider – this could be £30 per fuel (gas and electricity) or more. But exit fees cannot be charged if you are within 42 days of your tariff’s scheduled end date.

Vulnerability Commitment

If a supplier is a member of the Vulnerability Commitment it must promise to provide enhanced support to those who are fighting illness or are in financial difficulty.