When Can I Switch Energy Suppliers

mac.d

I've never tried to do it early but I am almost certain you have to action the switch within the 49 days. Remember, you agreed a fixed term contract to get the prices you are currently paying, which were presumably good at the time, and that contract doesn't end until after one year minimum. So they are allowing you up to 49 days to start the switching progress before your contract finishes, if you try to do it even earlier, expect to pay for finishing your contract early.

merchcon55

Having switched recently from SSE, I initiated the switch 63 days before end of fixed deal. Allowing for 14 day cooling off period plus 3 days, my switch took place 46 days before end of fixed deal. Received final bill with NO penalty fees. You can start the switch BEFORE the 49 day window - what matters is that the switch date must be within the 49 day window. HTH

johnniegif

Thanks merchcon55 & mac.d for your advice. I hoped the switch needed to be within the last 49 days, so I'll use a safety margin of <= 14 days from the 49 day period, unless prices suddenly shoot up. I can save £159+/year currently,  with £40 exit fees. I'd prefer to avoid the exit fees, even if they are small. Thanks for your help.

torphi

I would like to initiate a switch about 4 days before the 49 day switching window at the end of this month. This will have a number of benefits as I can get a really good price and can get free emergency heating cover too. I have just signed up to a new house insurance that doesn't have emergency cover.

I notice that the information on the web is quite confusing with some sites saying you can only start switching within the 49 day window or even saying that it's better to wait till you get the letter from your current supplier which you must get between 42-49 days. 
But there are a few places (MSE) that say that you can only be charged exit fees if the switch occurs outside the 49 days window.
Also it looks like a few suppliers have been fined in the past for misleading customers and even charging them when switching within the window.
From what I can make out, you will not be switched within the 14 days cooling off period so the switch can only happen after this. So you have to assume that 14 days can be added to 49 days to get the date that you can start the switch. This is what I'm going to assume.
I plan to switch using the MSE energy club and I'm not sure if it will give me a warning if outside the 49 day or 49+14 day window.

Having said all that, it would be really good if MSE could cover this topic properly with references to OFGEM information so that others don't have the same confusion.

burntwood

torphi said:

I would like to initiate a switch about 4 days before the 49 day switching window at the end of this month. This will have a number of benefits as I can get a really good price and can get free emergency heating cover too. I have just signed up to a new house insurance that doesn't have emergency cover.

I notice that the information on the web is quite confusing with some sites saying you can only start switching within the 49 day window or even saying that it's better to wait till you get the letter from your current supplier which you must get between 42-49 days. 
But there are a few places (MSE) that say that you can only be charged exit fees if the switch occurs outside the 49 days window.
Also it looks like a few suppliers have been fined in the past for misleading customers and even charging them when switching within the window.
From what I can make out, you will not be switched within the 14 days cooling off period so the switch can only happen after this. So you have to assume that 14 days can be added to 49 days to get the date that you can start the switch. This is what I'm going to assume.
I plan to switch using the MSE energy club and I'm not sure if it will give me a warning if outside the 49 day or 49+14 day window.

Having said all that, it would be really good if MSE could cover this topic properly with references to OFGEM information so that others don't have the same confusion.

MSE have made it clear, having received clarification from the regulator
Exits fees do not apply if your switch occurs within 49 days of the final date of your deal.
The MSE CEC will alert you to check if exit fees apply to you if your current deal has exit fees that may apply.