How long does electricity switch take?

milliemonster

I am thinking of changing suppliers, currently with Scottish Power but am locked into one of their capped plans until 31st August, but I know that switching does take a few weeks, can anyone tell me how long I should leave it before I switch? I am planning to change to British Gas websaver 3 as that looks cheapest for me

thanks

Mike_in_Horwich

I've changed several times in the past 2-3 years. I'd estimate it takes between 5-8 weeks. If you opt for a dual fuel scheme with the new supplier you'll no doubt get one energy type setup and operating before the second one.

Make sure final readings are accurate with your current supplier and these are correctly noted by your new supplier.

Double check B.G. Websaver 3 really is the best for you - worth looking at EDF online V5 tariff.

When you change supplier at this time of year - and through to perhaps October, you would expect some refund back as you like as not will have been building-up a balance on your account (in your favour) during the warmer, summer months. This assumes you pay a fixed amount each month of course.

The converse applies - when you change supplier in the Jan-May period you will often owe the (old) supplier money.

I cannot offer any advice as to timings with respect to leaving a fixed price tariff - sorry.

milliemonster

Hi Mike, thanks for getting back to me, unfortunately I don't have gas (we have oil) so I can't do a dual switch.

I have double checked the tariffs as I know approx the number of Kwh of electric we use pa and on all the comparison sites B Gas comes up cheapest

However, we would still owe Scot Power around £100 as they didn't set our DD high enough last year when we transferred to them and have been trying to pay catch up ever since but I will just pay that off

So it's really the timings that I need the answer to!, does it mean that I can't initiate the switch until after 31st August or we can't complete the switch until after that date? if so then surely I could start the swap now if it is going to take at least 5 weeks?

Mike_in_Horwich

milliemonster,

I recall reading on one of these threads in the oast couple of days that it is possible to initiate the switch now, but with the instruction to the current supplier not to actually make the change until on or after the end date of your contract.

Call your supplier and ask it that's possible. If this is done over the 'phone though get the person's name, record the date and time of the conversation and ask them to repeat clearly that you will not be charged should they mistakenly move you BEFORE the end date. This last aspect assumes the call is recorded and you can refer back to that recording should they aim to charge you down the line.

That said, I've never held a fixed term contract for energy so would welcome some other poster confirming my ideas.