How to check your energy supplier

Why do you need to know who supplies your energy?

You need to know who supplies your energy to know what tariff you’re on and to pay the right provider for your gas and electricity.

You can then check if you’re on the best deal or whether you could switch to a cheaper tariff.

You may have one supplier for gas and another for electricity. Or you may have a dual fuel tariff from the same firm for both gas and electricity.

Understanding who supplies your energy also means you’ll know who to contact if you have a problem or need to complain.

Talking to your energy company about any problems you’ve had should be your first step. Your supplier then has up to eight weeks to investigate and respond to your complaint.

If you’re not happy with the outcome, you can take the case to the Energy Ombudsman. Keep in mind that the energy market regulator, Ofgem, doesn’t deal with individual disputes.

How to find your energy supplier

The easiest way to find your energy supplier is to check a recent gas or electricity bill. You might have received this in the post or by email. Your bills should tell you the name of your gas and electricity provider, along with the tariff you’re on.

Popular utility companies include:

• British Gas
• SSE
• E.ON
• Octopus Energy
• Scottish Power
• EDF Energy
• OVO Energy

Your bill should also outline the cheapest available tariff to help you work out whether you could switch to a cheaper deal.

There are other ways you can find your energy supplier if your gas and electric are separate or you can’t find a bill.

Who supplies my gas?

To find who supplies your gas, you can:

• Type your postcode into the Find My Supplier search tool. This will show you who supplies your gas.
• Contact the Meter Point Administration Service on 0870 608 1524. Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

What is an MPRN?

MPRN stands for Meter Point Reference Number. It’s a unique 11-digit number linked to your gas meter. It helps utility providers identify your home.

You can find your MPRN along with your gas supplier when you use the Find My Supplier search tool or contact the Meter Point Administration Service.

How to check your electricity supplier

To find your electricity supplier, you’ll need to contact your distribution network operator (DNO). These companies run the main pipes in each area of the country. They will be able to tell you who supplies your electricity.

You can find your DNO by entering your postcode into the Energy Networks Association search tool. Or the table below that lists the DNOs for each region and their phone numbers:

Once you know who your network operator is, you can visit its website to search for your electricity supplier or you can call them.

I've recently moved in – how do I find out who supplies my energy?

If you’ve recently moved into a property, ask the estate agent or the previous owner who supplies your energy.

If you’re renting, ask the landlord or letting agent for the utility company’s details.

If the previous owner of your home informed the energy provider that they were moving, you should receive a letter in the post addressed to ‘The Occupier’. This should include all you need about your gas and electricity supplier.

If you don’t receive this letter, it’s possible nobody has told the gas and electric company. If so, contact your DNO and the Meter Point Administration Service to find out who supplies your electricity and gas.

What happens with my final gas and electricity bill when I move?

When you move home, on the last day at your old property, take a meter reading and submit it to your old gas and electricity supplier. Smart meters should automatically send real-time readings, but it’s still worth taking your own reading just in case.

You should have informed your supplier of your move so it can send your final gas and electricity bill to your new address. This should arrive within six weeks. Make sure it matches up with your reading and that you haven’t been overcharged.

You should also take a meter reading when you move into your new property to prevent you from being charged for someone else’s energy use.

How to find out which energy plan you're on

To find out which energy plan you’re on, you can do one of the following:

• Check a recent energy bill you received in the post as this should give you the name of your energy tariff
• If you know your supplier, log into your online account and look for your bill there
• Contact your gas or electricity supplier to ask.

Knowing which energy plan you’re on can help you to work out whether you’re on the best tariff. You may be able to save money by switching providers.

You might want to switch because you would prefer to be on a green energy tariff.

A green energy tariff is where some or all the electricity you buy is matched by renewable energy such as wind farms or solar panels.

If you are buying an electric vehicle (EV) that will need charging at home, it’s worth checking the different EV tariffs available too.

You can compare energy tariffs on an energy comparison website. It can be worth using more than one price comparison site as they won’t typically include all tariffs on the market. Some providers are not on comparison sites – contact those direct.

You could also speak to your current provider to see if they have a better tariff.

What information do you need to switch energy supplier?

If you decide you want to switch energy supplier, you’ll need the following information:

• Your postcode and address
• The name of your current gas and electricity supplier
• The name of your current energy tariff
• Your annual energy usage or costs.

All this information should be on your energy bills or by logging into your online account.

For more ways to save money on your energy bills, take a look at the energy-saving tips from the Energy Saving Trust. It’s also worth checking whether you qualify for any energy assistance schemes, particularly if you are on benefits or have a low income.

Checking energy supplier – FAQs

What if my gas and electricity are from two different suppliers?

If your gas and electricity are from two different suppliers, you can contact the Meter Point Administration Service and your distribution network operator (DNO) to find out who they are. You might want to think about switching to a dual tariff so that both your gas and electricity come from the same utility firm, but make sure it’s cost-effective first.

What is the difference between an energy supplier and an energy network operator?

An energy supplier is the company to which you pay your energy bills. An energy network operator owns and runs the pipes and wires that carry gas and electricity.

You can choose your energy supplier and the tariff you want for both electricity and gas. You can’t choose your network operator – that is set by where you live. You may need to talk to your network operator if you have a power cut or need to report a gas leak.

How does the energy switching process work?

The energy switching process works as follows:

1. Compare energy tariffs on a comparison site or by contacting companies direct. You’ll need to provide details such as your postcode and current energy usage.
2. Select the tariff you want and provide further details including your full address and bank details.
3. Your new supplier will get in touch with your old one to inform it of the switch.
4. Your new supplier will take care of the switching process. Under the Energy Switch Guarantee, it should switch over within five working days.
5. You have a 14-day cooling-off period. During this you can change your mind and remain with your existing provider and tariff.

How do I find the energy supplier for a new build?

If you’re moving into a new-build property, the developer or contractor should have set up the gas and electricity supply to the house. They should inform you which supplier they have used.

If you haven’t been informed, you can still contact:

• The Meter Point Administration Service to find your gas supplier
• Your distribution network operator (DNO) to find your electricity supplier.

Do I need to set up energy suppliers before moving in?

Your gas and electricity suppliers should be set up when you move into a property. But it’s best to give them a meter reading as soon as you move in. This stops you paying for someone else’s energy usage.

It’s also a good idea to find out what energy tariff you’re on. You may be able to save money by shopping around and switching to another provider.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy-efficient a property is. It will be rated from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). It should give you an idea of how much it will cost to heat and light your home. There may also be advice on how to improve energy efficiency and save money.

EPCs are produced by accredited domestic energy assessors. You can find an approved assessor on the government’s website and you can search for your EPC by postcode.