How long does it take for a new energy supplier to start?

jazzy

Is there a specified time regulation for how long it should take for changing energy suppliers? I am just trying to get the timing right for when my current contract expires..

molerat

How long is a piece of string, how long it should take (20 working days) and how long it will take are two completely different things. As long as you are in your 49 day period you can commence the switch and your old supplier cannot charge you an exit fee or change your rates whilst the switch is in progress. If you want to move then do it now (or you can leave switching until mid October and still stay at the same prices).

System

jazzy wrote: »

Is there a specified time regulation for how long it should take for changing energy suppliers? I am just trying to get the timing right for when my current contract expires..

Molerat is correct. Your supplier has a licence obligation to transfer your supply within 35 days of it receiving your request to switch (cooling off period + 21 days). As far as staying on the same prices, Molerat is 50% correct. The switching process assumes that your present supplier will notify your new supplier of the intending switch no later than 20 days after the end of your current contract end date. Provided this happens, then your present supplier has to leave you on your current tariff until the switch goes through. My last switch took the supplier 75 days: I remained on my old tariff until the switch went through.

In sum, you can switch within 50 days of your contract end without exit fees or tariff penalty.

footyguy

jazzy wrote: »

Is there a specified time regulation for how long it should take for changing energy suppliers? I am just trying to get the timing right for when my current contract expires..

I don't understand... or rather I feel you probably don't understand.

You can switch supplier anytime without fear of early exit fees after you have received the letter from your current supplier telling you your deal is coming to an end. (49-42 days beforehand)

As long as your supplier is informed of a change before the end of your deal, it will retain your current pricing (notwithstanding the deal is supposed to end earlier) until the switch goes live (within reason)

spiro

Under OFGEM's faster switching the time from sign up to supply start date should be 2 weeks and 3 working days.

System

spiro wrote: »

Under OFGEM's faster switching the time from sign up to supply start date should be 2 weeks and 3 working days.

A laudable aim : a 14 day cooling off period followed by 3 day switching. However, in its various press releases and in the suppliers' licences (SCL14.A.1 et seq), the obligation is to transfer supply within 35 days: the RELEVANT DATE plus 21 days where the RELEVANT DATE is the end of the cooling off period. In sum, this means that Ofgem will not investigate or fine a supplier until 35 days have elapsed. How do I know? I have just had a 75 day switch which I have reported to Ofgem.

spiro

Hengus wrote: »

A laudable aim : a 14 day cooling off period followed by 3 day switching. However, in its various press releases and in the suppliers' licences (SCL14.A.1 et seq), the obligation is to transfer supply within 35 days: the RELEVANT DATE plus 21 days where the RELEVANT DATE is the end of the cooling off period. In sum, this means that Ofgem will not investigate or fine a supplier until 35 days have elapsed. How do I know? I have just had a 75 day switch which I have reported to Ofgem.

No it's not cooling off followed by 3 day switching, switch and cooling off run in parallel that is why they have introduced a flow for the new supplier to cancel the switch up until about 2 days before switch date.

System

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-releases/ofgem-leads-radical-shake-energy-switching-process

I appreciate that internal processes within the industry may have moved on; however, I have yet to see a more up to date press release from Ofgem. The truth is that 17 day switches have yet to become the norm. E.on failed to achieve this target in March and Ovo failed in June.