Frequently asked Questions
The following frequently asked questions provide an overview of how the industry works and how easy it is to change supplier. Should you require any further information or want an answer to a specific energy-related question please email unionenergy@energylinx.co.uk and we will endeavour to answer any question you may have.
Union Energy
Who is Union Energy?
Did Union Energy used to supply gas and electricity directly?
Do I have to be a trade union member to use Union Energy's service?
Who is Energylinx?
Gas and Electricity Industry
What happened in the
Gas and Electricity markets?
Who is Ofgem?
Who is Consumer Focus (formerly known as Energywatch)?
Energy Efficiency
Changing Supplier
Why change supplier?
Is it easy to change?
How do I change supplier?
How long will it take?
Do I need to tell my
existing supplier
Will I need new meters
and pipes?
Union Energy charges
Suppliers and Tariffs
Tariffs used in Databases
Late Payment Penalty
Charges
British Gas Discounts
VAT
Supplier Service
Non cash incentives
for signing up with new suppliers
Meters and Numbers
What does the Electricity MPAN or Supply Number mean?
How can I tell what Region
my meter is in?
How can I find out who
supplies the gas and electricity to my home?
How can I find out what
my meter numbers are?
Who is Union Energy?
Union Energy is a limited company set up by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to provide cheaper gas and electricity to trade union members and their friends and family. Until recently Union Energy was an energy supply company whose gas and electricity was supplied to customers by ScottishPower. However when Union Energy's contract with ScottishPower came to an end, Union Energy decided that it was in the best interests of trade union members to provide an independent energy price comparison service rather than work with a specific energy supplier.
Union Energy's service is completely free of charge and allows you to find the very best deals available for the supply of gas and electricity to your home. Unlike most energy price comparison services, every single gas and electricity supplier in the UK is listed and Union Energy also offers an Ongoing Monitoring Programme to ensure you benefit from competitive prices in the future. 
Did Union Energy used to supply gas and electricity directly?
No. When it was set up in 1997, Union Energy negotiated an affinity deal with Scottish Power who supplied the gas and electricity on our behalf. However when Union Energy's contract with ScottishPower came to an end, Union Energy decided it was in the best interests of trade union members to offer an independent energy price comparison service rather than work with a specific energy supplier.
Do I have to be a trade union member to use Union Energy's service?
Union Energy's service was primarily set up for the benefit of trade union members and their friends and family, however you don't have to be a trade union member to use the service.
Who is Energylinx?
Energylinx is the UK's largest specialist home energy price comparison service and they operate our energy price comparison calculators.
What happened in the Gas and Electricity Markets?
As a result of Government legislation it has been possible for UK domestic consumers to switch gas supplier since April 1996 and electricity supplier since September 1998.
From what had effectively been a closed market open to only 14 electricity companies and 2 gas companies there are now some 60 suppliers of gas and electricity to the domestic consumer.
It is currently estimated by Ofgem that up to 160,000 consumers change supplier each week.
The usual reasons for switching supplier are to save money, to purchase a green product or to receive an improved level of customer service.
Who is OFGEM?
Ofgem is the regulator for Britain's gas and electricity industries. Its role is to protect and advance the interests of consumers by promoting competition where possible, and through regulation only where necessary. Applying this principle has resulted in great benefits for all gas and electricity customers.
Who is Consumer Focus (formerly known as Energywatch)?
Energywatch was set up by the Utilities Act (2000) to be an advocate for consumers in the gas and electricity markets. Energywatch merged with Postwatch and the Welsh, Scottish and National Consumer Councils in October 2008 to form Consumer Focus, the new champion for consumers' interests in England, Scotland, Wales and, for post, Northern Ireland. The organisation acts as the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog and is here to help you with whatever consumer issue you have regarding the gas and electricity industry.
Consumers with energy or postal complaints should contact the relevant energy supplier in the first instance. Consumer Direct can provide advice and information on how to progress your complaint if you are dissatisfied with the company's response. Consumer Direct can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06. Alternatively, click here to visit the Consumer Direct website. You can visit the Consumer Focus site by clicking here.
Energy Efficiency
We have an ever-growing reference section on Energy Efficiency and we would encourage you to bookmark those pages for future reference.
Why change Supplier?
Savings as much as £200 per annum can be obtained by selecting a supplier other than your first tier supplier. On average Union Energy customers have so far saved £303.53 per annum by using our service.
You also have the opportunity to purchase energy generated entirely or partly from green sources.
Is it easy to change?
With nearly 60 different suppliers it would be difficult to obtain information relating to all their tariffs or for that matter analyse them. Union Energy offers you the opportunity, free of charge, to find the very best available deal for your home, based on your own personal circumstances, by analysing every supplier in the UK.
All of this occurs by inputting a few basic pieces of information into one of our calculators, Union Energy then presents you with the top 20 suppliers based on your requirements.
To change supplier it is then a simple case of accepting one of the quotes provided.
How do I change suppliers?
1. 1. First select one of our calculators, electricity only, gas only, dual fuel or green energy.
2. Input the basic information requested.
3. Review the results presented against your current supplier and from those listed.
4. You can either save the information by setting up your own secure personal account or proceed to change supplier by selecting the supplier of your choice.
5. You will then enter the secure area where you will be asked to input personal information and your meter identification numbers (either MPAN for electricity or MPR for gas). These can be found on your existing bills - see our FAQs on Meter Identification.
6. After completion of the required fields, you will be presented with a summary page where you can see the details of your proposed transfer. If you are happy press confirm. You will immediately receive an email with all the details of your new energy contract and information as to what happens from here.
How long will it take?
It takes between 28 and 40 days from the date you arranged to change supplier until you are actually being supplied by them.
Do I need to tell my existing supplier?
If you use Union Energy to change suppliers there is no need to inform your existing supplier as we will take care of all notifications for you.
On occasion, an existing supplier may contact you to try to persuade you to change your mind, although to date we have never heard of anyone being offered a better deal as domestic tariffs are usually fixed.
In the majority of cases the transfer is entirely seamless. And from a regulatory viewpoint both OFGEM and Consumer Focus (formerly Energywatch) keep a close check on this.
Will I need new pipes, cables and meters in order to change supplier?
Not at all. The pipes, cables and meters you currently have will stay exactly the same.
Union Energy charges
Union Energy does not charge you for the use of our services. They are offered on a free of charge basis. However, Union Energy will receive a small commission if you decide to switch suppliers which we will share with your trade union to boost union funds.
Please note that, our service to you is completely free of charge. We do not actually collect any payments through our website, nor do we enter into a contract with you, save as per our terms and conditions. The small commission we receive has no affect on the price you pay for your energy - you will pay the same rates whether you go directly to the supplier in question or use our service.
We appreciate your custom and encourage you to switch to your new supplier through the links on our website and if you're happy with the savings you've made, please don't forget to tell your family and friends about us!
Tariffs Used in Databases.
All the information contained within our databases is current information. Historic, or non-available tariffs are not included.
Late Payment Penalty Charges
Whilst some suppliers apply charges for late payments, these are not taken into account by our calculators and we assume that payments are made on the due date.
British Gas Discounts
These calculators assume that you are taking advantage of the British Gas discounts for prompt payment on standard credit accounts.
VAT
VAT is currently charged at 5% on home energy bills. Our calculators take this into account and all prices provided include this.
Supplier Service
One aspect to consider when changing supplier is customer service. Whilst the level of customer service from the suppliers will not affect the actual supplies of gas or electricity to your home they will affect how the supplier interacts with you as a client.
Energylinx, Consumer Focus (formerly known as Energywatch) and Ofgem are all keen to promote the requirements of higher levels of customer service throughout the industry. You will find further details of current levels on the menu link to Supplier Standards.
Non cash incentives for signing up with new suppliers
Although some suppliers offer additional non-cash incentives these are not taken into account by our calculators, they are of course listed for your information.
What does the Electricity MPAN or Supply Number mean?
MPAN stands for Metering Point Administration Number. It provides a unique identity reference number for the meter and provides other information as follows:
How can I tell what Region my meter is in?
If you look at the grid above, you can see the first box on the second line is called "Distributor Identifier". The numbers in this box identify the Region you are in as follows:
10 |
Eastern Electricity |
17 |
Scottish Hydro Electric |
11 |
East Midlands |
18 |
Scottish Power |
12 |
London Electricity |
19 |
Seeboard |
13 |
Manweb |
20 |
Southern Electric |
14 |
Midlands Electric |
21 |
Swalec |
15 |
Northern Electric |
22 |
SWEB |
16 |
Norweb |
23 |
Yorkshire Electricity |
Note that when your postcode is on the edge of a region, it is important to check that you are using the correct region for the comparison calculations as the prices vary from region to region and some postcode areas straddle regions.
How can I find out who supplies the gas and electricity to my home?
GAS SUPPLY - If you do not have a bill, call Transco's Meter Helpline on 0870 608 1524 and ask them for your MPRN number and name of your registered supplier if it is not shown on your recent gas accounts.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY - Again the first step is to look at a recent electricity bill. If it is not clear what your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is call your local electricity distribution company. You should ask for their Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS). If you are not sure who your local electricity distribution company is, contact Union Energy on 0800 094 9039.
How can I find out what my meter numbers are?
When we talk about meter numbers, we actually mean in the case of electricity your MPAN number and in the case of gas your MPRN number. These are not the numbers printed on your actual gas or electricity meters, rather they are effectively your unique supplier reference numbers.
ELECTRICITY
The first place to look for your MPAN number is your most recent electricity bill, where you will find it printed. If you do not have a bill then the best idea is to contact your electricity distribution company. This is not necessarily your current supplier. If you look at our UK Generation Map you will be able to find out who your local distribution company is by hovering over your location and clicking to check that your postcode is included. If you call them and ask for the Metering Point Administration department, they will tell you what your Supply Number is. You can obtain the local distribution company's telephone number either from the local telephone directory or from directory enquiries, or you can email MPAN@energylinx.co.uk and by providing us with your postcode we can email their telephone number.
The number that you will be provided with is either the full 21 digit number or the 13 digit part number. Either will be acceptable to allow you to change supplier.
GAS
The first place to look for your MPRN number is your most gas bill, where you will find it printed. If you do not have a bill you can call Transco's Meter Helpline on 0870 608 1524 and ask them for your MPRN number.
