Energy companies cut switch times

SSE and First Utility slash the time it takes to switch to them.

SSE and First Utility have announced that they have dramatically cut the time it takes to switch to them from another energy company.

Significantly, SSE is the first of the so-called 'Big Six' to slash its switching time.

The moves follow proposals made by regulator Ofgem earlier this year. By the end of 2018, the watchdog wants to see next-day switching implemented.

Reduction in waiting times

Prior to SSE's change moving to the company took 35 calendar days, but that waiting period has been slashed in half. First Utility has halved its switching times from five weeks to two and a half.

As before, a ‘cooling-off’ period of 14 days is in effect from the point at which the customer makes their order to change supplier. During that period, customers can cancel their contract and move to a third supplier, or stay with their original supplier.

After the two-week cooling-off period has elapsed, it will take just three days for the change to take place. So the whole process takes 17 days.

What other suppliers are doing

A British Gas spokesperson said the company was "planning to make switching possible within three days and two weeks" later this month.

All suppliers will have the system in the place by the end of the year, so customers will be able to switch to any supplier of their choice in the reduced time period by 2015.

See if you can save on your energy bills by switching supplier at lovemoney.com