How to switch business energy supplier

Step 1: Check your current contract end date

Everything starts with your contract end date, which appears on your bill or annual statement. Most suppliers open the switching window up to six months before that date, meaning you can agree new rates well in advance and transition smoothly on day one.

If your contract has already ended and you haven't signed anything new, you'll usually be on deemed or out-of-contract rates. These are typically much higher than a negotiated fixed rate, so this is the situation to escape from quickly — but it's also still switchable.

Step 2: Gather your details

Suppliers and brokers price business energy individually, so the more accurate your information, the more accurate your quotes.

• Your MPAN (electricity) or MPRN (gas) — the meter reference numbers on your bill.
• Your current annual usage in kWh, or your last twelve months of bills.
• Your current unit rate and daily standing charge.
• Your contract end date and the notice period required.
• Company details, because quotes are based on the business, not the site.

Step 3: Compare like-for-like quotes

The headline unit rate isn't the whole price. Two quotes can look similar on pence per kWh but differ sharply on the daily standing charge, contract length or what's included.

• Compare the same term length across suppliers, for example 24 months against 24 months.
• Check whether each price includes network and policy costs or bills them separately as pass-through.
• Look at the total estimated annual cost for your usage, not just the unit rate.
• Confirm the VAT treatment and whether the Climate Change Levy is shown separately.

Step 4: Read the full terms before you sign

Before agreeing, check the contract start and end dates, the notice period, termination fees if you move or close, and any conditions around credit. Once a business energy contract is agreed there's no cooling-off period, so it's worth reading the terms properly.

If you're unhappy with anything, this is the moment to ask — after signature, the contract stands as written.

Step 5: Sign before your window closes

Aim to have new rates agreed before your current contract ends. If it lapses, you'll be rolled onto out-of-contract rates, which for micro-businesses can't exceed 12 months but are still far more expensive than a negotiated deal. Signing during your switching window avoids the gap entirely.

Can you switch mid-contract?

Usually only by paying a termination fee, which depends on your supplier and the time remaining. Check your contract's exit terms before assuming you can leave. If your contract is genuinely unfair, you can raise it with the supplier or the Energy Ombudsman, but legitimate contracts are enforceable.

The bottom line

The switch itself is handled by the suppliers — the work that matters happens before signing: knowing your end date, gathering accurate details and comparing complete quotes rather than headline rates. Start during your switching window and the rest follows.

Frequently asked questions