Plain-English articles on switching, bills, and tariffs for UK households.
26 August 2026
Ofgem confirmed on 26 August 2026 that the energy price cap will rise 4% to £1,723 a year from 1 October, alongside a new 0% VAT rate on electricity. The July cap remains in force until 30 September.
6 min read
27 July 2026
A deemed contract is the default tariff applied when you move in without choosing a supplier. What it means and how to switch off it.
6 min read
27 July 2026
There's no legal limit on how often you can switch energy supplier in the UK. What actually affects how often it makes sense to do it.
8 min read
22 July 2026
What happens if your energy switch is delayed, fails, or goes wrong, including the 8-week rule, deadlock letters, and Energy Ombudsman compensation.
7 min read
22 July 2026
Whether you can switch as a UK tenant depends on who is named on the energy account. Covers renters, HMOs, and bills included in rent.
6 min read
14 July 2026
Ofgem's July 2026 price cap shows £1,663 and £1,862. Here's why there are two figures and what they mean for your bill.
6 min read
14 July 2026
Ofgem's 49-day rule lets you switch energy supplier near the end of a fixed deal without an exit fee. Here's how it works and what fees typically cost.
7 min read
14 July 2026
Owing your energy supplier money doesn't automatically stop you switching. This guide explains the Debt Assignment Protocol, credit checks, and when a switch can be blocked.
7 min read
20 June 2026
Ofgem launched a lower standing charge tariff pilot in April 2026 with four suppliers. Find out who it applies to, how it works, and whether it could reduce your bill.
5 min read
16 June 2026
A practical guide to often-missed energy bill costs, including standing charges, exit fees, deemed rates, VAT, estimated billing, and direct debit overpayments.
6 min read
16 June 2026
How to spot and avoid UK energy scams, including fake regulator contacts, doorstep fraud, cold calling, fake comparison sites, and unauthorised switching.
6 min read
16 June 2026
An explainer on the UK energy loyalty penalty, why default tariffs can cost more than competitive deals, and how to check whether you are paying the gap.
6 min read
15 June 2026
A plain-English walkthrough of every section of your gas and electricity bill: unit rates, standing charges, meter reference numbers, and how to check if an estimated bill is right.
7 min read
15 June 2026
From 1 July 2026 the Ofgem energy price cap rose to a headline £1,663 for a typical household under updated consumption assumptions. This guide explains the new rates, how your bill may have changed, and what fixed tariffs mean while the current cap is in force.
7 min read
15 June 2026
The energy price cap rose to a headline £1,663 from 1 July 2026 under Ofgem's updated typical consumption assumptions. This guide sets out the information you need to decide whether fixing your tariff still makes sense for your household.
8 min read
14 June 2026
The price cap limits what suppliers can charge on variable tariffs, but does not cap your total bill. This guide explains how it works, how it changes, and what it means for your energy costs.
6 min read
12 June 2026
Your statutory right to cancel a new energy contract within 14 days of signing up, with no penalty. How to use this right in practice, and what happens if you cancel after your switch has already started.
4 min read
11 June 2026
A realistic timeline for a UK domestic energy switch, from submitting your application to your supply changing over. What happens on switch day itself, and how the 14-day cooling-off period fits into the timeline.
4 min read
10 June 2026
Whether having (or not having) a smart meter affects your ability to compare tariffs and switch in the UK. What changes for smart meter users during a switch, and what to expect if you don't have one yet.
4 min read
8 June 2026
How an Economy 7 meter charges a cheaper rate for around seven hours overnight and a higher rate during the day. Who tends to benefit from this type of tariff, and what to check before switching to one.
4 min read
5 June 2026
What to do about gas and electricity on moving day, including who to contact, what readings to take, and how billing is handled at your old and new address. Covers whether you can take your tariff with you when you move.
5 min read
29 May 2026
How smart meters work, what SMETS1 and SMETS2 mean, and why some older smart meters lose smart functions when you switch supplier. Covers when suppliers may ask you to have one fitted and what it means for billing accuracy.
5 min read
22 May 2026
How renewable electricity tariffs work in the UK, including what "100% renewable" actually guarantees through REGO certificates. What to check on a comparison result before assuming a tariff is greener than a standard one.
4 min read
15 May 2026
What it means for a tariff to be fixed or variable, and how each type behaves when wholesale prices or the Ofgem price cap change. Helps you understand the trade-off between price certainty and flexibility before you compare deals.
5 min read
8 May 2026
A plain-English breakdown of the two charges that make up every UK energy bill: the per-unit rate for what you use, and the daily standing charge for staying connected. Explains how both appear on bills and comparison results, and how Ofgem's price cap affects them.
5 min read
1 May 2026
Step-by-step guidance on comparing tariffs by postcode, choosing a plan, and completing your switch through a UK comparison service. Covers what to have ready before you start and what happens after you apply.
7 min read
Ready for live tariffs? Use our partner comparison tool to check your postcode.
Compare live UK energy tariffs