Choose the Right Energy Supplier and Reduce Your Bill
The energy market is complex. Regulated tariffs, market offers, off-peak options... Here is how to decipher offers and choose the one that truly matches your consumption profile.
Recommended Materials
- Last electricity/gas bill
- Meter reading (PDL/PCE)
- Online comparator (e.g., Energy Ombudsman)
- Calculator
Steps to follow
Step 1
Gather your last electricity and gas bills to know your real annual consumption in kWh and the subscribed power of your meter (in kVA, often 6 or 9 kVA). This is the essential basis to compare apples with apples and not rely on estimated monthly payments.
Step 2
Understand the energy price structure: there is the subscription (fixed part you pay even if you consume nothing) and the price per kWh (variable part depending on your consumption). If you consume little (small apartment, collective heating), prioritize a low subscription. If you consume a lot (large house heated by electricity), look for the lowest possible kWh price.
Step 3
Analyze the Peak/Off-Peak Hours option (HP/HC). It is only profitable if you can shift at least 40% to 50% of your total consumption (water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, electric car charging) to off-peak hours (often at night between 10pm and 6am). Otherwise, the Base option is often more economical because the subscription and HP kWh are cheaper than the HP tariff of the HP/HC option.
Step 4
Use the official comparator of the Energy Ombudsman (in France) or a recognized independent body. Beware of private commercial comparators that highlight suppliers who pay them the most.
Step 5
Look at the type of offer: Regulated tariff (set by the State, only with the historical operator EDF), Fixed price market offer (the kWh price is locked for 1, 2 or 3 years, which protects against sudden increases), or Indexed price offer (follows variations in the regulated tariff, often with a guaranteed reduction percentage). In times of price instability, fixed price offers are reassuring.
Step 6
Check included services: telephone customer service or 100% online offer (often cheaper but without a phone contact), green energy (renewable origin guarantee), detailed consumption monitoring via an app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing supplier cut off electricity ?
No, absolutely not. There is no cut, no technical intervention on the meter, and the quality of electricity is exactly the same (it's the same Enedis network). The new supplier takes care of terminating the old contract for you.
Is there a fee to change supplier ?
No, changing supplier is totally free and without commitment for individuals. You can change as many times as you want and return to the regulated tariff whenever you wish (reversibility principle).
Precautions
- Never sign a contract during door-to-door canvassing without comparing.
- Check if the displayed price is excluding taxes (HT) or including taxes (TTC), as taxes represent a significant part.
