When can I apply for switch to avoid exit fees with supplier

james_williamson_6544

My current dual fuel tariff ends on 31/01/2021
My current supplier don't have any tariff that will be cheaper than my current deal.
Using MSE Cheap Energy Club, there is only one plan which is cheaper (checked on 26/11 evening) which will save me £47 in energy bills and another £25 in cashback, total = £72 over the year.
When can I use comparison websites and apply for switch. Will it be 50 days earlier, i.e. on 13/12 or can I apply today itself ?

Neil_Jones

Any time in the 49 days before it ends, so any time after the 13/12.  Before that you attract exit fees.

You need to decide whether paying your exit fee(s) is worth it to save £47.  If both your gas and electricity have, say, £30 fees, that's going to cost you £60 so you would be net -£13 and saving nothing.

badmemory

You also need to check that your new deal is actually cheaper than a new deal elsewhere & not just cheaper than when you move onto the SVR of your current supplier.  These energy suppliers are not the clearest & for once it isn't their fault, just their regulator's stupid conditions.

brewerdave

badmemory said:

You also need to check that your new deal is actually cheaper than a new deal elsewhere & not just cheaper than when you move onto the SVR of your current supplier.  These energy suppliers are not the clearest & for once it isn't their fault, just their regulator's stupid conditions.

I second that; had an emailed bill from my leccy supplier this a.m suggesting a switch to another of their tariffs would "save" £64pa. Since the exit fee was £30 seemed worth checking but because of this flawed method of comparison forced on them by OFGEM, a switch would actually cost ~ £150pa plus the exit fee!!

HonestJohn

It is the switch time that is important not when you apply to a new supplier. You can apply before the 49 day limit. 

MACKEM99

The trick is not to do it too early if your new rate is more than you are currently paying, although its a bit tricky try to switch so that your new supplier date is as close as possible to your current end date (that is if the new rate is higher).