About switching gas & electricity suppliers
Unravelit was the first price comparison service to be officially accredited by Energywatch (now Consumer Focus), the UK's gas and electricity watchdog. This means that our service meets strict standards in relation to the quality, accuracy and comprehensive of our data and the impartiality of our service. We provide you with the widest coverage of gas and electricity products and tariffs in the market.
About our services
We continuously monitor all UK gas and electricity suppliers and in many cases we have tariff information even before tariff changes are actually made. In this way we aim to ensure that we have the most accurate, reliable and comprehensive service in the market. Where we provide online application services, we are paid a small commission by the relevant supplier. This in no way affects the way in which we present savings, nor does it affect the price that you pay for your energy.
Why should I switch?
Consumers in the UK are free to choose their gas and electricity suppliers. The best deals offer substantial savings, and shopping around with this tool will help you find out how much you could save. It's just like looking for a better deal on your home insurance or motor insurance.
What do I need?
To get a quote takes just a few minutes. Tell us your postcode, the name of your suppliers, how much you spend per year, and we'll tell you how much you could save.
How does our service work?
This service compares over 14,000 different and constantly updated energy prices, from all the main suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales. Within a few minutes you could end up saving over £380 a year (based on national average) on your energy bills.
What happens after I submit an application?
We will confirm your application by e-mail and forward your details securely to your chosen supplier. The supplier will start organising the switch and will contact you to confirm when the service will start.
What are the advantages to me?
This is a fully comprehensive, fully independent, and fully impartial service. It is fast, friendly, secure and FREE. Within a few minutes you could end up saving an average of £380 a year on your energy bills. Try it for yourself and see. Use the service as often as you like; there is no obligation.
How do we keep our prices up to date?
We monitor all gas and electricity suppliers, and all tariffs, on a continuous basis. In most cases, we receive information before tariff changes are actually made. In this way we aim to provide you with the most comprehensive and accurate source of service and price data in the market.
How does unravelit make money?
Unravelit supports its business by earning a small commission for a successful energy application. unravelit has commercial relationships with the following energy supply companies:
Applications for tariffs from these suppliers can be submitted if a "Continue" button is visible. If a "Review" button is shown next to a tariff it is currently unavailable via unravelit.com
What about supplier's customer service levels?
You should consider reviewing information about the customer service level of suppliers before making the decision to switch. Complaints against energy suppliers are collected by the independent energy watchdog energywatch.
Click here to find out more about suppliers' customer service performance
How can I get help with using less energy?
Unravelit publishes a regular newsletter that often offers up-to-date information on reducing your energy bills, and there is a lot of related information in our up-to-date News section. To sign up, click here. If you are interested in information about grants to help insulate your home, we recommend you visit the Energy Savings Trust website at http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/gid which offers an interactive calculator to show what is available at your postcode from a variety of national and local schemes, including Warm Front, Warm Deal, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, and the Energy Efficiency Commitment.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
Winter 2020/2021 relates to the period from 12th October 2020 to 31st March 2021.
Important: Please note that, if you qualify for payments under the Warm Home Discount Scheme and switch to an energy supplier that does not participate in the Scheme, then you will lose your entitlement.
What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme came into operation on 1st April 2011 and requires some domestic energy suppliers to provide direct and indirect support to fuel poor customers over a number of years. The scheme was originally intended to run until 31st March 2021 but Ofgem - the energy regulator, announced in December 2020 that the scheme was to be extended until 2026.
How much is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
For winter 2020 to 2021, those who qualify get a £140 discount off their electricity bill. You won't get the payment directly - it comes off your electricity bill. You may be able to get the discount off your gas bill instead if your energy supplier supplies you with both gas and electricity. If you want to find out how it will be applied you will need to check with your energy supplier.
The discount doesn't affect either Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments which are separate and independent payments.
Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
For 2020/2021 you qualify for the discount if on 5th July 2020 ALL of the following applied to you:
- your energy supplier was part of the scheme
- your name (or your partner's name) was on the bill
- you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
In addition to those customers referred to above, some energy suppliers also offer the discount to other groups of vulnerable customers. For example, those on low incomes and / or those receiving certain means tested benefits. This group of customers is referred to as the "broader group". Each supplier has their own rules about who else can get this help.
You can also qualify for the discount if you use a prepayment meter. If you have a prepayment meter how you get the discount will depend upon your energy supplier and could, for example, be a voucher which you can use to top up your meter. You will need to check with your energy supplier to see how they make the payment.
How to claim your Warm Home Discount?
Core Group
If you qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you will receive a letter telling you how to get the discount. Due to improved data sharing between energy suppliers and the Department of Work & Pensions (to identify eligible customers), 96% of those in the "core group" received their payment automatically in 2020.
The letter will tell you if you need to call a helpline to confirm your details.
Most electricity suppliers will apply the discount to your bill by the 31st March 2021.
If you believe you qualify for the Warm Home Discount as part of the "core group" but do not receive a letter, then you should contact the Warm Home Discount Team on 0800 731 0214, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline will open from 12th October 2020.
Alternatively you can write to them at the address below.
Warm Home Discount Team
Blue Zone, Ground Floor Phase 1
Peel Park
Brunel Way
Blackpool
FY4 5ES
Broader Group
If you are part of, or believe you should be part of, the "broader group", then you should apply directly to your energy supplier. You will need to check with your energy supplier to see if you are eligible - each supplier has their own criteria - and how to apply. It is worth checking as early as you can as the numbers of these discounts is limited and once they are gone, they are gone.
Which energy suppliers participate in the Warm Home Discount scheme?
Any energy supplier with more than 250,000 domestic gas and electricity customers is obligated to partake in the Warm Home Discount (WHD) Scheme. Equally, an energy supplier with more than 200,000 domestic gas and electricity customers was obliged to core the "Core Group" only.
The following suppliers offer the Warm Home Discount in the 2020-2021 season:
- Atlantic - see SSE
- Beam Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Boost
- Bristol Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- British Gas
- British Gas Evolve (formerly British Gas X)
- Bulb Energy
- Citizen Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- E (Gas and Electricity)
- E.ON
- Ebico - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Ecotricity - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- EDF Energy
- Fosse Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Great North Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Green Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Green Network Energy
- Lumo
- Octopus Energy
- OVO Energy
- Powershop
- Pure Planet
- Qwest Energy - see Octopus Energy
- Ram Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Sainsbury's Energy
- Scottish Hydro
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy
- So Energy
- Southend Energy - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Southern Electric
- SSE
- SWALEC
- Symbio Energy
- The LECCY - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Utilita
- Utility Point - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'
- Utility Warehouse
- Your Energy Sussex - only if you're eligible for the 'core group'