As British Gas HIKES PRICES 5.5% and others will likely follow - together we can beat the rip-offs... 

 New. MSE Big Energy Switch Event 10

Special Bulb deal: saves typically £320/yr, with 95% 'great' service, no exit fees and renewable electricity to boot

A message from Martin: "Millions will be furious with the news from British Gas that on Tue 29 May it'll increase standard prices by an average 5.5% - £60 on a typical bill. Other firms' customers will rightly fear their providers will follow.

"Yet some of this ire must also be turned upon themselves. We live in a market where the do-somethings pay far less than the do-nothings. Many can save £100s comparing and switching - it's the same gas, same elec, same safety; only price and service differs. 

"Many people tell me they're scared, confused or worried about moving to new, unknown firms with no track record. To help we've been beavering away to secure special deals, and have two from Bulb and EDF in our latest Big Switch event. 

"The plethora of loss-leading new providers means we can no longer smash the market's cheapest - instead we aim to secure a rock-bottom price, from a reliable firm, with great service or a big name, meaning huge savings.

"While this won't help vulnerable customers for whom switching is too much, for everyone else, especially if you're one of the 60% of the UK on a standard tariff, don't waste time ranting at energy firms. If possible get up off your arse, do a comparison and ditch those overcharging you."

Big Switch 10 Winner I: 
Bulb - typical saving £320/yr, 95% 'great' service, no early exit fees & it's renewable electricity

This new Bulb Vari-Fair deal, available via our Cheap Energy Club, is nearly the market's cheapest. What makes it stand out is that Bulb's built up more than 300,000 customers in 3yrs, due to huge word-of-mouth recommendation. In our last customer service poll it got an outrageous 95% 'great' rating (from 295 votes).

To explain further... this is Bulb's normal tariff, except we've arranged for you to get an extra £55 off. That's £30 dual-fuel bill credit within 3mths of switching (half for elec-only), plus our usual MSE £25 dual-fuel cashback (£12.50 elec-only) we give on any tariff, if we can switch you. 

The tariff is variable, so Bulb can move prices based on wholesale costs (what suppliers pay for energy). Last year it actually cut 'em twice, before a modest 2.8% rise this year - still leaving it, as can be seen, very cheap. If prices do change you'll get 2mths' notice, and can leave any time without exit penalties.

It's worth noting, Bulb also has a popular refer-a-friend scheme, where the referrer and newbie each get £50. Though with our deal you get a tad more without needing to know an existing customer. Here are key facts:

- It's available for dual fuel & elec-only, incl Economy 7.
- Bulb will pay any exit fees from your current supplier, up to £60 per fuel.
- You need to pay by monthly direct debit & get paperless billing.
- It's not available on prepay or in Northern Ireland.
- The end date depends on demand, but it's likely only a few weeks away.
- As it's variable you can move home with it, though you'll need to sign up again at your new property.
- 100% of electricity & 10% of gas is from renewable energy sources.

A two-year fix is great for those who want longer-term peace of mind, and it means you don't have to bother to switch as regularly. Our winner here is the special EDF Simply Fix Apr20, available for new and existing EDF customers (for many of whom it's a no-brainer). It's fixed until 31 March 2020, ie, the rate won't change until then.

As you can see it is by far the cheapest big name two-winter fix, and only a little more than the cheapest from small provider Engie (which has similar £30 early exit fees). Feel free to go with any - we got this as many of you tell us you want a name you know.

- Only recipients of this email (using that email address) or existing Cheap Energy Club members can get this tariff.
- Available for dual fuel & elec-only, incl Eco 7.
- Not available for prepay or in Northern Ireland.
- Pay by monthly direct debit or quarterly cheque/DD.
- The 10,000 limit is switches (so dual fuel counts as two).
- It's portable so you can take it with you if you move home.
- Leave early & there are £70 dual-fuel exit fees (£35 single fuel).
- Some existing EDF custs will be charged early exit penalties if they switch to it, depending on their current deal.

Prepay or live in Northern Ireland?

No deals here, we're afraid. But you can still switch and save...

- Prepay customers: Try our prepay comparison - savings are smaller, typically £90/yr, but it could still be worth doing. For bigger savings see if you can switch to a credit meter. See cut prepay energy costs.

- Northern Ireland: No UK comparisons include NI, but see Cheap NI Electricity or the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland's tool.

Your common energy-switching questions answered... 
For more, see the full Cheap Energy Club FAQs

Q. What info do I need to switch? It's best if you have a bill, and input kilowatt hours (kWh) into Cheap Energy Club, rather than cost. But don't worry if you don't know your usage; the tool can guesstimate for you. While the answer won't be perfect, it's usually far better than doing nowt.

Q. Does MSE make money from this? Yes. Like all energy comparison sites, we're paid each time you switch through us, yet we give you about half in cashback (money you don't get if you go direct), so it's a win-win. The rest helps cover our costs and hopefully makes us some profit.

Q. How does Cheap Energy Club work? It does three things:
1) We compare ALL market tariffs to show your price and saving.
2) You get £25 dual-fuel cashback (£12.50 single fuel) if we can switch you. It's paid roughly 90 days later.
3) We monitor for better deals. You set a 'trigger saving', eg, £150/yr, then we alert you if you can save this by switching again.

And some quickies...

Q. Can I switch if I've a smart meter? Yes, but you may lose functionality. See Smart switch.
Q. How come it's put my price up when I'm fixed? The rate's fixed, but your bill depends on your usage. See Unfair direct debits.
Q. How do I find the standing charge and kWh cost? They vary by region, so we display yours in the comparison result.
Q. Can I pick a date for the switch? No. Providers don't allow this.
Q. I'm in credit. Will I get it back? Yes. See Reclaim credit.
Q. I'm in energy debt. Can I switch? Usually, see Switching in debt.
Q. I've solar panels. Can I still switch? Yes. See Solar info.
Q. Is monthly direct debit cheapest? Yes, but do regular meter readings.
Q. Why do you show a different cost from my supplier's? Enter kWh and we show the avg each month, yet your direct debit's an estimate so can differ. Direct debit help.
Q. I've an independent gas transporter - can I switch? Yes. See IGT help.