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Electricity-only energy deals

What is electricity-only energy?

Most households in the UK use both gas and electricity as energy to power and heat their homes. This type of energy comes exclusively from the UK’s electricity supplies. It powers both the lights and electrical devices in all UK homes, and in many cases, provides heat and hot water too.

What are electricity-only energy tariffs?

These are tariffs that exclusively provide electricity to your home, also known as ‘single fuel’ tariffs. They’re used by people who don’t have a gas supply. They're also popular with those who prefer to keep their electric and gas suppliers separate for a variety of reasons.

Why should I switch to an electricity-only energy tariff?

Here's why you might want to switch to an electricity-only tariff:

You’re moving house, and your new home doesn’t have a gas supply.
You no longer need a gas supply (for example, you’ve replaced your gas boiler with an alternative form of heating and hot water such as an air source heat pump).
You think you can get a better deal on your energy costs by getting your electricity from a different provider to your gas supplier.

What are the pros and cons of electricity-only energy tariffs?

Pros

It might prove cheaper: Dual fuel tariffs usually work out the best value. But you might discover that signing up for individual electricity and gas tariffs from different suppliers costs less. For example, you live in an area where there’s only 1 gas supplier, but multiple electricity suppliers to choose from.
It could be more flexible: By choosing different suppliers, you keep your gas and electricity bills separate, which may suit your circumstances better.
It could meet all your energy requirements: If you don’t have a gas supply, an electric-only tariff is all you need.

Cons

Dual fuel is usually better value: In most cases, getting electricity and gas from 1 supplier works out cheaper than any pair of single fuel tariffs.
You might have more paperwork: Instead of keeping your energy bills in one place, you’ll have to juggle 2 sets of bills, payments and suppliers.

How do I compare electricity-only energy suppliers?

First, work out your current costs: both the price you pay for your electricity and the amount of electricity you consume each year. You can find this on your current bill – look for information referring to ‘Estimated Annual Cost’ (in pounds) and ‘Estimated Annual Usage’ (in kWh).

Now you’re ready to compare electricity-only suppliers. Enter your details and make sure ‘Electricity only’ is selected under ‘Your Supply’ (click 'Edit' if not). We’ll then compare tariffs across a range of major energy suppliers to present you with the best electricity-only deals to consider.

NB: We’re working on allowing customers to compare fuels from different suppliers individually but we can currently only show you dual fuel deals.

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What factors should you consider when comparing electricity-only energy deals?

There are multiple things to consider when comparing deals. They include:

Price: The most important factor for many. What is the cheapest electricity-only deal? And who is the cheapest electric supplier? Sometimes, though, the lowest price may not be the best deal for you.
Peace of mind: With fixed-rate deals coming back on the market, you may wish to lock in the price of your electricity for a year. You may find the per-unit rates and daily standing charges aren’t as cheap, but there won’t be any nasty surprises for the next 12 months.

Methods of payment: The monthly direct debit option is usually the cheapest, but you may need more flexibility. Check your supplier accepts your method of payment, such as card or cheque for standard tariffs, or cash or top-up card in the case of prepayment meters.
Billing: Are you happy to receive bills electronically by email or via an app, or do you want them posted out to you?
Help and support: Again, are you content to receive support via an online portal, app or through email? Or, if you need assistance, would you prefer to speak to someone on the phone?

Who is the best electricity-only energy supplier?

This depends on your individual preferences and circumstances. Factors to consider include where you live and how much electricity you use.

What is the average cost of electricity per kWh?

At time of writing, the price of electricity on a standard variable tariff is capped at 28.62p per kWh you consume. No supplier can charge more than 53.35p per day to cover its daily standing charge. Prices include VAT.

Remember that the actual price of electricity goes up and down according to wholesale costs, but it can never rise above Ofgem’s energy price cap.

Standard variable rates vary according to:

Your energy supplier
The tariff you’re on
How you pay your bill (monthly, on receipt of the bill or in advance)
What meter you have (standard credit versus prepayment)

If you’re on a fixed tariff, then the price you pay is set according to the tariff you signed up to. This is fixed for the full duration of the tariff, regardless of changes to the wholesale cost of electricity during that period. It's also unaffected by changes to the energy price cap during that period.

What happens if my electricity supplier goes bust?

Your supply continues uninterrupted, and any credit balance is protected. If you’d already started a switch to a new provider, let that carry on as normal. If not, then Ofgem appoints a new supplier and automatically switches you to it.

You're put on a ‘deemed’ tariff, which could be more expensive than the tariff you were on. When your new supplier gets in contact, ask to be put on its cheapest tariff. Or you could shop around using our energy comparison.

You can switch to another provider without incurring any exit fees, even if you were previously on a fixed contract.

Will switching to a new electricity supply affect my current supply?

No, the Energy Switch Guarantee promises that both old and new suppliers “work together to ensure that your supply will never be interrupted”.

Everything is handled behind the scenes and all you need to do is take a meter reading on the day of the switch and give this to your old supplier. This ensures that you’re billed correctly and that your old supplier can refund any unused credit owed to you. Most final bills are calculated within 6 weeks of your switch.

How long does it take to switch electricity supplier?

It’s now possible to complete a switch to a new supplier in just 5 working days. You can, however, request the switch to be postponed until after the 14-day cooling-off period. During these 2 weeks, you’re free to change your mind and cancel the switch for any reason. Contact your new supplier to do this. Once the period ends, the switch should be complete within 5 working days.

How do I keep my electricity costs down?

There's lots of things you can do to save energy in your home:

Switch appliances off at the plug when not in use. Standby mode can use nearly as much power as when the appliance is switched on.
Provide your supplier with accurate meter readings to make sure you're only paying for the electricity and gas your using and avoid any surprises in future.
Keep a note of the end date if you're on a fixed price tariff. Knowing when your fixed price deal is coming to an end can help you prepare for your costs going up.
Consider using the microwave when you're cooking, it's far more energy efficient than your electric oven.
Don't forget about your lights. Switch off lights in rooms you're not in and install energy saving lightbulbs. If you’re on a fixed price tariff. Knowing when your fixed price deal is coming to an end can help you prepare for your costs going up.

For more ideas on how to save money on your energy bills, read our energy efficiency guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to have a smart meter to switch?

The short answer is no.

The government requires electricity suppliers to offer smart meters to all customers, and some providers do require you to have a smart meter to take their tariff. This is because these companies use smart meter capabilities to reduce their costs.

A smart meter can also help you control your usage by allowing you to see how much you're using and remind you to switch things off to save more money. But the choice is yours – if you don’t want a smart meter then you don’t have to have one – just make sure the tariff you choose on your electricity price comparison doesn’t demand it.

Can I switch electricity supplier if I rent my home?

It depends on who pays the bill. If the cost of your energy is included in your rent, then your landlord is responsible. You need to ask them to switch. But if you're responsible for paying the bill, and it’s in your name, then you're free to switch. If in doubt, check with your landlord or tenancy agreement.

Can I switch electricity supplier if I rent my home?

Yes, you can switch prepayment tariffs like regular tariffs. They’re more competitively priced too as the government has committed to ending the prepay premium.

If you’re looking to switch from a prepayment meter to a standard credit meter, be aware that:

You may need to pass a credit check, as well as pay any outstanding monies owed to your supplier.
You may also have to pay to fit the new standard credit meter depending on which supplier you choose.
If you’re moving into rented accommodation, check with your landlord. You may have to pay to switch back to a prepayment meter when you leave.

Can I switch electricity supplier if I rent my home?

You should be able to find out who your supplier is from your most recent electricity bill. If all else fails, visit the Energy Networks Association website. From here you can find out who your network operator is, and they can tell you who supplies electricity to your home.

Which is the cheapest energy supplier?

It depends on several factors: where you live, how much electricity you use, and what tariffs are available to you.

Will I have to pay an exit fee when I switch electricity supplier?

If you’re on a fixed rate tariff, you may be liable to pay a one-off fee – check your bill or tariff for confirmation. If there is an exit fee attached, but you’re within the last 49 days of your contract, you can switch for free.