How to compare gas and electricity deals from energy suppliers
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How to search for the best energy deal
Searching for the best energy deal can feel a little overwhelming. Sometimes people choose to move provider if they're unhappy with the service, looking for a better deal, or moving home. There are a lot of different factors to consider before you compare electricity prices and tariffs. For example, is a dual fuel tariff better for you? Do you want to fix your energy rates or track the price cap? Should you pay by Direct Debit or another way?
Don't worry, we outline everything to consider when looking for your next energy deal.
Quick guide to the information
- What do you like and dislike about your current energy supplier?
- Information you'll need when getting an energy quote
- Understanding energy tariffs
- Understanding low-carbon home tariffs
- What about exit fees?
- How you pay for energy can make a difference!
- Does the energy provider offer you any benefits or incentives?
How to choose an energy provider
1. What do you like and dislike about your current energy provider?
If you're looking to compare electricity providers we suggest looking at your current energy provider:
- What do you like and dislike about them?
- What do their Trustpilot reviews say about them?
- How's their level of customer service been for you?
From this, you can compare energy deals based on your expectations of what matters most to you from an energy provider.
2. Information you'll need when getting an energy quote
If you're looking for gas and electricity quotes to compare energy prices, you'll need to know how much energy you've used for the past year:
- The measure of energy is usually shown as kilowatt hours (kWh)
- Your latest bill or statement will show how much you've used in the past month, and your annual statement or online summary should show your annual use
- If you've used a smart meter or given monthly meter readings, the consumption on your bill should be accurate
- If you don't have a smart meter or provide monthly meter readings, the amounts shown will be estimated, but you'll still get a good idea of different tariff prices from your quote
Fixed price energy tariffs
Fixed price energy tariffs, deals, or plans (they all mean the same) lock in an energy cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) for a specific time; usually one or two years. Fixed energy deals can protect households from energy price rises, especially during the winter, when we often use more energy. Just remember, it's the tariff rate that's fixed; if you use more energy than normal, your bill will get higher.
Check:
- If you'll pay exit fees if you leave your contract length early
- Make sure your fixed tariff is priced below the energy price cap. Find out what our price cap prediction means for you!
Benefits of a fixed tariff:
- Peace of mind
- Easier monthly budgeting
- If wholesale prices go up, the price you pay stays the same for the length of your contract
Variable tariffs
Variable energy tariffs mean just that - they change! The energy unit rate you pay for energy goes up and down depending on price changes in the energy market. For example, you'll save more when energy rates are low, but your bill will increase if unit rates and daily standing rate charges rise. Ofgem's energy price cap limits how much energy companies can charge rates for each gas and electricity units, but it changes every three months.
Benefits of a variable tariff:
- You don't have to be fixed into a contract with an energy provider
- You'll save more when energy rates are low
- You won't pay an exit fee if you choose to buy a different tariff
Tracker tariffs
Similar to a variable tariff, but the rates you pay may change more often than other variable tariffs. Some tracker tariffs are based on wholesale energy prices and change every half-hour.
Tracker tariffs can work out cheaper than the price cap, but your unit rates will go up if wholesale prices rise. Check if you'll pay exit fees if you leave your contract early. Our tracker tariff guarantees a discount on the standing charge for one year.
Benefits of a tracker tariff:
- A tracker tariff could be a good choice if you're interested in a variable tariff that tracks the wholesale market
Dual fuel tariffs
Dual fuel means gas and electricity. These tariffs are only available if you have gas and electricity, and want both of your energy sources supplied by the same supplier. Fixed and variable dual-fuel tariffs are available.
It's common for households to be on dual-fuel tariffs, mainly because it's easier! You only have one energy supplier and one bill. Plus, some suppliers offer a discount for having both fuels with them. Just check if you'll pay exit fees if you leave your contract early.
Benefits of dual fuel tariffs:
- Perfect if you want one energy provider and one energy bill, for both gas and electricity
- Your gas and electricity usage should be shown separately on your bill, so you know what you use and spend on each fuel
Economy 7 tariffs
Economy 7 refers to a type of electricity meter. This meter offers seven hours of cheaper (off-peak) electricity at night. Specific Economy 7 tariffs are available: they often charge a higher electricity rate during busy peak hours (when most people use electricity). But, you'll likely get charged less during non-peak hours - commonly during the night.
An Economy 7 tariff could work for you if you have:
- An Economy 7 meter
- Electric heating
- Water heated by electricity
- Use a large amount of electricity overnight
Green tariffs
Unless you're generating renewable power, electricity supplied comes directly from the National Grid - regardless of your energy supplier.
The electricity from the grid is a mix of fossil fuels and low-carbon sources, including renewables (like solar and wind), and nuclear.
Energy providers either:
- Explain that your energy comes from renewable electricity sources like wind, hydroelectric, or solar
- Contribute towards the development of renewable energy projects. For example, EDF is Britain's biggest generator of zero carbon electricity(1)
Green tariff benefits:
You're actively choosing to buy electricity generated by renewable energy and encouraging the necessity of greener energy alternatives.
Understanding low-carbon home product tariffs
These are tariffs designed to save you money if you own low-carbon home products such as solar panels, an air source heat pump or an electric vehicle.
Solar panel tariffs
Solar tariffs vary on how your home uses solar energy. They're perfect if you're looking for rates that work alongside your panels/and or battery or wanting to sell unused energy to earn money!
Solar import tariffs
Essentially a solar panel import tariff replaces your current electricity tariff.
Lots of companies offer great solar panels and battery packages. For example, if you buy solar panels and/or a battery with EDF, you can access our Empower Tracker Exclusive V2 tariff.
It comes with no standing charge or exit fees and a 10p p/kWh overnight charging rate for your battery. Which means you can potentially bring your electricity bills down to zero!(2)
Solar export tariffs
You can get an export tariff if you have a battery and apply for the Smart Export Guarantee scheme (SEG)
- With a SEG tariff, you can sell unused electricity to the National Grid and earn money!
- You often get a flat kWh rate for each exported unit of energy
For example, our range of SEG tariffs offer:
- Export Exclusive 12m: Exclusive to customers who have installed solar panels and/or a battery through EDF or Contact Solar. This tariff offers 20p p/kWh for the energy you export.
- Export 12m: Available to all existing EDF electricity customers with solar panels or a battery. Offering 15p p/kWh for the energy you export.
Air source heat pump (ASHP) tariffs
An air source heat pump tariff can work brilliantly for households using a heat pump and looking to save!
Some heat pump tariffs are cheaper than the price cap and can be used during off-peak times. For example, we offer a heat pump tariff designed to save ASHP owners money. It offers six hours of low-cost daily electricity without price peaks, along with a discounted off-peak rate.
The Heat Pump Tracker Trial tariff
Perfect for anyone with a heat pump, regardless of make or model.
Electric vehicle (EV) tariffs
EV tariffs are great if you're an EV owner looking for a cheap and efficient way to charge your car and power your home.
Some EV tariffs are designed for different mileage needs. For example, EDF's GoElectric Overnight is ideal for medium to high-mileage drivers, and EDF EVolve is great for low to medium-mileage drivers. EDF's Pod Point Plug & Power is suited to medium to high-mileage drivers and offers the Pod Point Solo 3S charger from just £499 upfront, spreading the rest of the cost over the two-year fixed tariff(3).
4. What about exit fees?
An exit fee is a fixed amount you agreed to pay in your contract, if you want to leave your energy supplier before your contract end date. In some instances it can be worthwhile paying the exit fee and leaving your current supplier early.
For example, if you're on a fixed price energy deal, and prices are cheaper on another tariff, it may work out financially better to pay the exit fee and switch to the cheaper tariff.
Exit fees usually only apply to fixed tariff deals that have contracts lasting between one and three years and can be priced anywhere from £5 to £30 per fuel.
So if you're on a duel fuel contract and there's an exit fee of £30 for both gas and electricity, you'll pay £60 to leave your tariff contract early.
Direct Debit
Often the cheapest and easiest way to pay for energy. Your payments are automatically taken from your bank account each month.
- Monthly payments take your expected energy costs for the year ahead and divide them by 12
- Readings are taken automatically from your smart meter or you'll be asked to supply monthly meter readings
- If your energy use or tariff prices change, your monthly payments may also change
Pay As You Go (PAYG)
Some people use PAYG meters to control how much money they top their meter up with first, before using any energy. Auto-top ups are also available so people don't have to leave the house to add money to their meter. PAYG can help with budgeting and not building up debt.
- Make sure you top up enough to pay for both your standing charge and energy usage
- You won't have power if you don't top up enough
- Some of the cheapest tariffs are not available for non-smart PAYG meters
Bank, card, cash or cheque
You can also pay by these ways but it's a little bit more expensive than paying by Direct Debit. You'll be sent a bill for the energy you've used and then asked to pay it within 14 days at your bank, your local PayPoint, Payzone retailer, Post Office®, or online.
6. Does the energy provider offer you any benefits or incentives?
Many providers also give other ways to help reduce your energy costs with exciting new offers. For example, in our event months, EDF customers can earn up to 16 hours of free electricity on Sundays with our Sunday Saver challenge.
- Refer a friend schemes give both you and a friend a bill credit each time a friend you've referred signs up to join!
- Does the company help you save cash and carbon by offering an easy-to-use phone app or tool to help you monitor your energy use, like EDF's Energy Hub?
- Can the energy provider install a smart meter in your home? Also, check if the energy provider offers new boilers, boiler cover, and insulation - all these extra services can help you save carbon emissions and money!
- Getting solar panels or an air source heat pump is a great way to lower your carbon emissions and household energy bills!
- If you're a student, check out if the provider offers some kind of student energy discount. For example, we offer students who have to pay for their own electricity an exclusive student discount gift card
Choose EDF for your energy
Simpler
Our customer service is rated excellent on Trustpilot
Cheaper
Find our lowest prices today!
Cleaner
We're Britain's biggest generator of zero carbon electricity(1)
Advice about energy tariffs and more!
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