How switching works

Switching energy supplier sounds like it should be complicated. It isn’t. The whole thing happens behind the scenes, and since Ofgem introduced faster switching rules in 2022, most switches complete within a few working days. Your gas and electricity are never interrupted. Ready to get started? Our step-by-step switching guide walks you through the whole process.

Nothing physical changes

This is the most important thing to understand. When you switch from one supplier to another, nobody comes to your house. Nobody touches your meter, your boiler, your wiring or anything else. Gas still flows through the same pipes from the same source. Electricity still comes through the same wires from the same grid.

The only thing that changes is who sends you the bill. It’s a billing and administrative change, nothing more.

The timeline

Since Ofgem’s Faster and More Reliable Switching (FMRS) programme launched in 2022, the industry standard for domestic switches is next working day. In practice, most switches to Octopus complete within a few days. Here’s roughly what happens:

Day 1: You sign up online. Takes about five minutes. You enter your address, choose a tariff, set up your direct debit. Octopus confirms by email straight away.

Day 1-2: Your old supplier gets notified through the centralised switching service. They’ll usually send a letter or email confirming you’re leaving. They can’t block the switch or charge you a penalty (unless you’re on a fixed tariff with exit fees, which they’ll have told you about when you signed up).

Day 2-5: The switch completes. Your old supplier sends a final bill or statement. Octopus confirms they’re now supplying your energy. If the switch takes longer than promised, Ofgem rules mean you’re owed £30 in automatic compensation. See what to expect in your first month for what comes next.

Following weeks: If you have a smart meter, it may take a few extra days (or longer for older meters) to start communicating with Octopus’s systems. During this time, you can submit manual readings through the app.

The cooling-off period

You have 14 days from signing up to cancel the switch with no consequences. If you change your mind during this period, just tell Octopus and it gets cancelled. Your old supply continues as if nothing happened.

What about my old supplier?

You don’t need to contact them. The industry switching process notifies them automatically. They’ll send you a final bill based on your meter reading at the point of switch. If you’re in credit with them, they’ll refund it. If you owe money, they’ll collect it as normal.

Some people worry their old supplier will try to retain them with phone calls or special offers. In practice, most don’t bother. Energy switching is so common now that suppliers just process it.

Smart meter behaviour

If you have a SMETS2 smart meter (the newer type), it should continue working normally after the switch. It might take a few days to register on Octopus’s system, but readings will backfill. We cover the full details in what happens to your smart meter when you switch.

If you have a SMETS1 meter (the older type), it may temporarily lose its smart functionality during the switch. It won’t break. It just reverts to being a regular meter until Octopus re-enrolls it, which can take a few weeks. You can submit manual readings in the meantime.

If you don’t have a smart meter at all, Octopus will offer to install one for free. It’s not mandatory for most tariffs (Flexible works without one), but all the smart tariffs require one.

Can I switch if I’m renting?

Yes. You choose your energy supplier, not your landlord. The only exception is if your landlord provides energy as part of your rent (a “reseller” arrangement), which is uncommon. If you have your own meter and pay your own bills, you can switch.

Can I switch if I owe money?

Usually yes. If you’re on a credit meter, outstanding debt generally doesn’t block a switch. Your old supplier will still collect what you owe separately. If you’re on a prepayment meter, debts under £500 per fuel can transfer to your new supplier through the Debt Assignment Protocol. Larger debts may need a repayment plan with your existing supplier before you can move. Contact your old supplier to discuss options if you’re unsure.