How is the change made?
Is it really FREE?
If I change supplier, what changes for me?
Who has the contract?
As a business user, how do I start?
I am a home user. How can I check if I can save some money on my bills?
What on earth is MPAN and MPR?
Any change is going to take an age, isn't it?
How is the change made?Following the FREE analysis, the first thing to do is to give notice to your current supplier. For a business contract, this might require as much as 60 days notice, so it is important to plan ahead. Quotes are then requested from the wide range of UK suppliers and you simply choose the best offer for your business and sign a new contract!
Is it really FREE?It is FREE to you! But as with everything in life "there is no such thing as a free lunch!" Someone, somewhere always pays. For domestic users who change supplier through this website, the supplier pays us a small commission but YOU choose which supplier offers YOU the best deal. For business users, we can offer either a managed service or 25% of the projected savings. Either way, it costs you NOTHING to discover what amazing savings you could make!
If I change supplier, what changes for me?Two things only - the name of the supplier at the top of your bill and the number at the bottom - simply lower costs! The same meter is used, the same cables or pipes and there's no digging up the road or internal re-wiring of the house or business.
Who has the contract?You do - The BIG Switch simply acts as an intermediary agent. We use our group buying power, analysis and negotiating skills to find the cheapest and best supplier in the UK for your business or home needs. You then sign the contract with the new supplier.
As a business user, how do I start?If you are in business, you can fill in the on-line form with details of your annual usage of electricity or gas. If your business is a heavy user - in electrical terms perhaps metered Half Hourly - then you will need to send us a copy of the Half Hourly data. You can do this by e-mail or fax or simply in the Royal Mail. The best thing is to call us to discuss the options.
I am a home user. How can I check if I can save some money on my bills?As a home user it could not be easier. Make sure you have a copy of your recent bills to hand. Then go to the Household page on this website and follow the instructions. You'll then be taken to a page to enter your details on-line so that you can see how all the suppliers' prices compare with your current supplier. If you wish, you can sign up there and then. BUT - it's all under your control. You could be on your way in a few minutes
What on earth is MPAN and MPR?MPAN - Meter Point Administration Number - identifies your Electricity metering uniquely in the UK. You'll find it on every bill and it begins with S - sometimes known as the Supply number. It may look like this
MPR - Meter Point Reference - also known as 'M' number - this identifies your Gas metering point uniquely and appears on all bills.
Any change is going to take an age, isn't it?Home user - It might take up to 35 days to change your domestic supplier. Any longer than that and you could have cause to complain to Energywatch, the independent consumer watchdog.
BUT, nothing will change until you start it happening, and it only takes a few minutes to kick it off. Remember to take meter readings so that you can check your final bill from your old supplier and the first bill from your new supplier.
Business user - If you are a Business user, changing supplier may take a little longer. The first step is to give notice to your current supplier. This may need to be as much as 60 days notice so do check your contract. The change is usually organised to coincide with the renewal anniversary. Alternatively, you could engage the services of The BIG Switch.
You're not going to make any savings until you start the process!
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