Can I compare business energy while I'm still in contract?

Comparing is not switching

Asking for or looking at quotes does not commit you to anything and does not tell your supplier. Only agreeing a new contract does that. Be careful of calls or forms that ask you to sign something. A phone agreement can bind you and there is no cooling-off period for business contracts.

What your contract type allows

You are on	Can you leave now?
Fixed-term contract	Generally not without a termination clause or exit fee. Many contracts let you agree your next deal some months before the end; how early depends on your contract and the new supplier.
Variable, rolling, out-of-contract or deemed	Yes, at any time. Out-of-contract customers can't be charged a termination fee, and microbusinesses can't be forced to give notice (except for evergreen contracts, up to 30 days).

Check your contract, as these depend on the exact wording. Ofgem's guidance says to look at when you can switch, how much notice to give and whether an exit fee applies.

Why compare early

• You see where prices stand against your renewal offer, which may be pitched at a high rate.
• You can agree a deal in the right window, rather than being rolled over. A rollover can last up to 12 months.
• You can see how early you can agree a new contract.

Worked example

You pay 27p/kWh on 20,000 kWh, so £5,400 a year in unit charges. A quote at 25p would cost £5,000, a gap of £400 a year, which is about £33 a month. If your exit fee were £500 (an invented figure; exit fee formulas vary by supplier) and you had 6 months left, leaving early would cost £500 to save about £200 over the remaining period, so waiting is cheaper. Check your actual exit terms before doing this sum.

How to compare without getting trapped

1. Have your bill, meter numbers and end date ready.
2. Say you are only gathering quotes.
3. Ask for Principal Terms and broker costs in writing.
4. Don't sign a letter of authority until you understand it: see letters of authority.

Common questions

People often ask whether their current supplier will find out that they are shopping around. It will not, unless you agree a new contract. Another worry is whether early quotes lock the price: they do not, and rates can change before you sign, so ask how long a quote stays valid. If your contract has an unusual clause, such as automatic renewal, ask your supplier to confirm the key dates in writing.

Next steps

Diarise your window, read the best time to switch, and see leaving a contract early. Our rollover guide explains what happens if you do nothing.

Biz Energy is independent and not affiliated with any supplier, broker or comparison site, and takes no commission. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.