Avoid Bill shock this winter by joining with thousands of county households in fixing your monthly payment with Essex Energy Switch.

The Essex Energy Switch is a county wide collective energy switching campaign, organised by Essex County Council, to help county residents take the hassle out of searching for deals.

Residents can register for the Essex Energy Switch until 12 October. Registration for the Essex Energy Switch is free and only takes five minutes.

Everyone who registers with the Essex Energy Switch will receive a personal offer from the winning supplier from 25 October.

You have until the 23 November to decide if you wish to accept or decline your personal offer, there is no obligation to switch suppliers.

In the past the Energy Switch has saved residents money, but the rising wholesale price of energy means many residents are now paying more for their energy than at any time in the last 10 years. The tariff cap, which limits standard variable tariffs, is increasing by £139 as of 1st October 2021.

This means whether bill-payers switch or not, they are likely to see energy bills going up. However, it is still worth taking part in the switch as if residents accept the personal offer they can be sure their bills won’t rise again for 12 months and monthly rates will not be subject to fluctuations in the energy market.

The EES offers 100% renewable electricity so it is also an opportunity for households to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Cllr Peter Schwier, Essex County Council’s Climate Czar and Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader, said: “Many people don’t look at switching energy suppliers as they think it is complex, but it doesn’t need to be so. That’s where the Essex Energy Switch comes in.

“If you take part, you will be joining thousands of people in Essex, in securing a deal which will fix your energy costs for the next 12 months, which will give you peace of mind. It is free to join and there is no obligation to take the winning tariff.”

Once registered, there is no obligation to switch providers. Registering can be done online here or by calling Big Community Switch registration line on 0800 048 8439 to register and receive correspondence by post. Lines are open Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 5:30pm, please have a recent energy bill to hand. For further information visit www.essex.gov.uk/energyswitch 

How it works

Since the scheme launched in 2014, more than 21,065 people across the county have registered with the scheme. Registration for this year’s winter switch closes on Tuesday 12 October.

Energy companies will bid at an auction to see who can offer the lowest fixed energy tariff to all the Essex people who have registered. Because they want this bulk business, energy companies will offer a great deal.

The Essex Energy Switch is managed by iChoosr, a national organisation which specialises in maximising the power of group buying.

iChoosr can negotiate bespoke and market leading tariffs not available direct or via price comparison services.

iChoosr require all suppliers to only bid with 100% renewable electricity tariffs for all categories of the auction.

The best deal, which will be 100% renewable electricity, will be personally offered to people who have registered from 25 October. Residents have until the 23 November to decide whether or not to switch. Residents are under no obligation to take the option to switch.