Are there any reasons why I may not be able to switch?

Most people can change their gas and electricity suppliers. But changing to a new energy company may not be possible in certain circumstances. For example:

• The Northern Irish energy market has only very recently been opened up to competition. Therefore unfortunately we cannot currently provide quotes for customers in Northern Ireland.
• Customers with a Green Deal payment plan may not be able to switch to some smaller suppliers. This is because currently only the 'Big 6' energy companies are able to process Green Deal payments.
• Many tariffs now include an exit penalty and so your supplier may charge you a fee for leaving your tariff before the end date. This applies to almost all fixed rate tariffs, as well as most discounted and online deals. You ought to check with your current supplier before making a switch in order to avoid an unexpected fee.
• Some properties may have multiple meters registered to their address, such as when several flats have been knocked together. In this situation, we advise that you use our site for comparing price information only and contact companies directly to arrange a switch. This is because the incorrect meter may be switched or the energy supplier may be unable to accept the transfer where there is doubt over the correct MPAN.
• You rent your home and get gas and electricity through a meter owned by your landlord. You pay the landlord for energy, and they pay the energy supplier.
• You rent and your lease specifies that you cannot change gas and electricity suppliers.
• The switch may be delayed if you have outstanding gas or electricity bills with your old energy supplier.
• You can switch with a prepayment meter but only to another prepayment energy tariff. If you want to switch to another payment method, you'll need to ask your current energy supplier for a new energy meter to be installed at your home.
• Certain types of energy meters make it difficult to switch, for example, three rate electricity meters or meters that work by 'dynamic teleswitching'