Home > Energy Guides

Energy Guides

From advice on meter readings and your rights regarding exit fees to comparing energy suppliers, our Energy Guides can help you simplify your finances. Get the information you need to keep your household running smoothly.

Gas and electricity discounts for the disabled

If you’re disabled or caring for someone who is, you may be disproportionately affected financially by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. […]

Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment is financial aid you can receive from the government and paid toward your energy bill during […]

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme

Introduced by the UK Government in 2013, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme aims to reduce emissions and tackle fuel […]

Standing Charges

Standing charges appear on most gas and electricity bills. Charged by your energy supplier, they are a a fixed daily […]

Standard Variable Tariffs

Discover all there is to know about standard variable tariffs (SVTs). If you’re on an SVT, find out how they […]

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)? Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are documents that evaluate the energy efficiency of a […]

Warm Home Discount

Discover everything you need to know about the Warm Home Discount. Find out what the Warm Home Discount means, if […]

Winter Fuel Payment

Get to grips with the Winter Fuel Payment (also known as the Winter Fuel Allowance). Find out what it is, […]

Energy grants and schemes

As energy prices across the UK continue to rise, many are left struggling to pay their monthly bills. To help […]

Energy Price Cap

When the Government introduced the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) in October 2022, it temporarily took over Ofgem’s Energy Price Cap. […]

What is the average energy bill in the UK?

Many factors can influence the amount you will pay for your energy, such as where you live, the type of […]

Energy Ombudsman

If you’ve complained to your energy provider and the issue has remained unresolved, you’re probably wondering what to do next. […]

Ofgem

What is Ofgem? Ofgem – short for ‘Office of Gas and Electricity Markets’ – was formed in 1999. It’s a […]

What is Automatic energy switching and how you can save £££

Automatic energy switching – or auto switching for short – is a simple and easy way to switch energy suppliers […]

Disadvantages of smart meters

With the UK’s smart meter rollout in full swing, energy suppliers are keen to emphasise their benefits, such as being […]

Who is the best energy supplier?

“Who is the best energy supplier?” is a question we get asked a lot. And the truth is, there’s no […]

The loyalty penalty

Find out everything you need to know about the “loyalty penalty” or “loyalty tax”, including how it might be affecting […]

2-year fixed energy deals

How do 2-year fixed energy deals work? A fixed energy deal, also known as a fixed tariff, fixed-rate deal or […]

Energy bills explained

What is printed on your energy bill can sometimes be confusing and make it hard to know if you’re paying […]

What to do if your energy bill is too high?

If you’ve had an abnormally high bill the first thing you need to do is make sure that it’s accurate. […]

Cheap energy deals and how to get them

Energy suppliers used to reserve the cheapest and best energy deals for its first-time customers. These deals would inadvertently be […]

Supplier of Last Resort

In competitive market arenas, such as the gas and electricity markets, it is not uncommon for a company to fail. […]

How to avoid energy exit fees when you switch suppliers

Although routinely switching energy suppliers can be a great way to save on your energy bills, there is a barrier […]

How to read your energy meter

Knowing how to read your gas and electricity meters is essential. It allows you to keep an eye on the […]

Prepayment vs. Credit meter

The type of meter you have can have a big impact on how much you pay for your energy. Depending […]

Energy tariffs for pensioners

For many of those of pensionable age, living on a fixed or low income means having to budget wisely. A […]

Fixed Energy Tariffs

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has had a devastating effect on the gas and electricity markets in the UK, greatly affecting […]

Can I change energy suppliers if I’m in debt?

The continued cost of living crisis has left thousands of households across the UK struggling to pay their bills, with […]

A guide to solar power and solar panels

In spite of our often questionable weather, solar panels are becoming an increasingly ubiquitous sight across the UK. But how […]

Making energy supplier complaints

Not satisfied with the service from your energy supplier? Find out the best way to make a complaint and get […]

The Big Six Energy Suppliers

Known collectively as the ‘Big Six’, these were the biggest legacy suppliers of gas and energy in the UK. The […]

What is an MPAN Number?

If you’re looking to change your electricity supplier or move house, you’ll need your MPAN number to hand. Find out […]

What is the Energy Switch Guarantee?

The Energy Switch Guarantee aims to increase consumer confidence in switching and improve the speed and ease of switching energy […]

9 Ways To Make Your Old Fridge More Energy Efficient

Perhaps it is no surprise that a refrigerator is one of the appliances that consumes the most energy in UK […]

Different Types of Energy Meters

Having a broad understanding of the different types of energy meters, will help you with taking meter readings, which are […]

Renewable Energy Deals – Everything You Need To Know

What is renewable energy, why does it matter, and how can you can get it? This energy guide will give […]

How Can I Find Out My Energy Usage?

It’s worthwhile to understand your energy usage for a variety of reasons. You might want to monitor your usage over […]

If I switch energy supplier, will my energy turn off between providers?

If you switch suppliers, you could get yourself a better deal on your energy and save up to £300 on your energy […]

Economy 10 meters

If you use more electricity in the evening and overnight, getting an Economy 10 meter installed could make a lot […]

The benefits of smart meters

Smart meters will be offered for free to most UK households by the end of 2020. Make sure you know […]

How to switch energy if you’re a tenant or student

If you are a student or tenant and you want help switching to the cheapest energy supplier, a switching service could still […]

What is an Economy 7 meter?

Wondering if a change of meter could help you enjoy cheaper gas and electric rates? We’ve put together a quick […]

Meter Serial Numbers

If you suspect there’s something wrong with your meter or, you think you’re being billed incorrectly, you’ll need to know […]

MPRN Numbers

For whatever reasons you’re looking to change gas suppliers, you’ll need your MPRN number. Find out what they are and […]

Energy suppliers offering free gifts

Many energy suppliers offer free gifts when you switch to their service. Below we list some of the best supplier […]

10 tips on how to save energy at home

With working from home still a popular choice for many, alongside our natural inclination to stay indoors during the colder […]

Switchcraft vs the competition

Switchcraft offers a unique service to the energy switching world – a service that USwitch, Comparethemarket, GoCompare and other similar […]

Energy payment methods

When it comes to paying your energy bill there are a lot of different options. Find out how the different […]

Energy back billing

What is energy back billing? If you haven’t been charged correctly for energy that you used in the past your […]

The cooling off period

Cooling off periods help protect consumers from penalty fees if they change their minds after starting a switch. Find out […]