The Big Switch explained
- Find out more about The Big Switch and how it works
- How The Big Switch could help cut your energy bills
- Sign up to take part in the UK's first collective energy switch
- Why 250,000 consumers have already signed up
Confused about energy tariffs or struggling to find the cheapest supplier for your gas and electricity? The Big Switch aims to make it easy for you to switch to a better energy deal - and save you money on your gas and electricity bills. Our video reveals how and why you should get involved.
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It only takes one person to change a lightbulb. But what if we want to change something bigger? We need people power to change the energy market. Be part the 200,000 strong crowd who’ve joined The Big Switch to get the cheapest deal. We need as many people as possible to stand together and demand a better deal. We need you to pass it on.
What is The Big Switch?
The Big Switch is a completely new way to buy - and save money - on your energy.
People tell us they don't know how to find the best deal as there are so many energy tariffs to choose from.
So, using the power of thousands of consumers, we’ll negotiate with energy suppliers and seek to secure a market-leading energy deal and help people make the switch. We had more than 50,000 people sign up to The Big Switch within the first 48 hours and more than 250,000 more since.
Find out how The Big Switch could save you money on your energy bills
How will The Big Switch work?
Once we know how many people are interested in switching, we are likely to hold a ‘reverse auction’ where energy companies are invited to put forward their lowest price per kilowatt of electricity and cubic meter of gas.
We can’t guarantee to secure a deal, but the more people who sign up, the better our bargaining power.
If we secure a good deal we’ll offer it to everyone signed up. If you want to, we'll then help you switch to the new deal.
In the Netherlands Which?'s sister organisation Consumentenbond negotiated an energy deal for 20,000 consumers using the ‘reverse auction’ method.
Will I really save money?
We can’t guarantee how much people will save through The Big Switch, but collectively energy customers lose out on around £4.1 billion a year by not switching to the cheapest energy deal.
Savings will depend on what type of tariff you’re already on and what deal the energy companies offer us. We’re aiming to secure a market-leading deal, so most people should be able to save something.
Once we’ve negotiated a deal, you’ll be told how much you could save by making the switch. If the saving is minimal or you could get a better deal elsewhere, we will let you know.
How do I sign up?
It’s easy to register your interest using the The Big Switch website. All you'll need to do this is to provide us with your name and email address, plus some information about your home and current energy use - you'll need a copy of a recent bill to hand to do this.
By letting us know about your current energy use, we'll be able to use the information to negotiate the best deal with gas and electricity companies.
Will I have to switch if I sign up?
Not at all. We'll let you know once we’ve secured a deal and what it is - then you can choose whether or not to accept it.
There’s no commitment or obligation to sign-up with the new supplier, so you can decide to stay with your existing energy company, or move elsewhere if you choose.
By joining together we have more bargaining power to secure a better energy deal
We can't confirm the type of tariff we'll be able to offer until we've negotiated with the gas and electricity companies.
Who can take part?
The Big Switch is open to everyone in England, Scotland and Wales, so get your friends and family involved in the campaign and encourage them to sign up and save money too.
Who's behind The Big Switch?
Which? and online campaigning community 38 Degrees are working together on The Big Switch to get you a better deal on your energy bills.
Will Which? make a profit out of The Big Switch?
Which? is a not-for-profit organisation. We'll be looking to receive a commission from the energy companies in a similar way we do with our switching website Which? Switch in order to cover our costs and help fund future campaigns.
We are investing significant funds to try and get this initiative off the ground this includes investment in technology and software, publicity, expert energy advisers and legal resources as well as staff and call centre support. We are hoping that the switching revenue we make will pay back our investment and help us to break even, if we make a surplus after paying our costs, revenue will be re-invested in our broader energy campaign. We won’t make any money at all if we can't get a good enough deal for everyone or if not enough people sign up.
- Register your interest on The Big Switch website
- Which? news: Quarter of a million people join The Big Switch
- Find out more about our Affordable Energy Campaign
