One Touch switch for energy explained

One Touch Switch (OTS) is set to revolutionise how consumers manage their services, aligning with a broader commitment to making essential utilities more accessible and hassle-free. This regulatory initiative aims to simplify and speed up the process of changing service providers in the UK, empowering consumers by reducing the administrative burden and friction often associated with switching suppliers.

Managing your home energy should be as straightforward as managing your broadband. Fuse Energy aims to bring effortless control to your electricity and gas, making it easier to understand and optimise your usage. Click here to see how simple switching can be.

What is one Touch switch?

OTS is a new system designed to make switching service providers easier and quicker for consumers. Initially launched for broadband and landline services on 12 September 2024, it mandates that your new provider handles the entire switching process, including contacting your old supplier to cancel your service. This removes the need for you to coordinate between two companies, which was often a source of stress and potential service gaps.

A new era for UK switching

The core principle of OTS is to shift the responsibility of managing the switch from the customer to the gaining provider. This means you only need to engage with your chosen new supplier, and they will manage the communication and logistics with your previous provider. This streamlined approach aims to reduce complexity, enhance customer experience, and minimise disruption during the transition. Since its introduction for broadband, over 1.6 million customers have switched providers using OTS in the first year, demonstrating its effectiveness in simplifying the process.

Beyond broadband: the energy context

While OTS is currently operational for broadband and landline services, its principles are highly relevant to the energy sector. The goal is to extend this simplified switching experience to gas and electricity, offering a more streamlined process for energy consumers. Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, is responsible for overseeing the gas and electricity markets and protecting consumers. The regulatory framework for energy switching is distinct from broadband, but the underlying aim of reducing barriers to switching and fostering competition remains the same.

How one Touch switch works for energy

The vision for OTS in energy mirrors the successful implementation in broadband: a process where the new energy supplier manages almost everything on your behalf. This aims to eliminate the common pitfalls of switching, such as worrying about service gaps or needing to contact your old supplier.

The simplified switching process

When fully implemented for energy, the OTS process is expected to follow these straightforward steps:

1. Choose a new energy supplier: You select a new provider that offers a better deal or service.
2. Provide basic details: You give your new supplier essential information for your home energy supply.
3. New supplier handles communication: Your new supplier takes on all communication with your old provider.
4. Receive confirmation: You get confirmation of your switch date and new account details.
5. Seamless transfer: Your energy supply seamlessly transfers to the new provider without interruption.

This approach means you will not have to juggle the end of one contract and the start of another, reducing confusion and preventing lapses in service.

Eliminating old supplier contact

One of the most significant benefits of OTS is the removal of the need for consumers to contact their old provider when switching. This eliminates retention calls and the stress of managing multiple providers, allowing your new supplier to handle the transfer and cancellation on your behalf. This reduces paperwork and the chance of errors or miscommunications that can arise when coordinating between different companies.

Key benefits for energy consumers

The introduction of OTS for energy promises several advantages for UK households, making the process of managing your home energy supply much less daunting.

Faster and smoother transitions

OTS is designed to make the transfer to a new supplier quicker and smoother. Energy switching in the UK already takes up to 5 working days due to Ofgem's Faster Switching rules, a standard introduced in July 2022 and aligned with Guaranteed Standard 6ZA from April 2024. The aim of OTS is to further simplify the process of switching, building on the speed already achieved. This means less administrative effort and a faster path to enjoying the benefits of your new energy deal.

Reduced stress and administrative burden

The primary goal of OTS is to minimise the hassle and administrative burden on consumers. By having your new supplier manage the entire switch, you avoid the need to contact your old provider, deal with cancellation notices, or worry about coordinating dates. This simplified approach translates into a less stressful experience, freeing you from the complexities of energy administration. You can also track your energy usage more easily with a smart meter installation.

Greater control over your energy choices

A streamlined switching process empowers you to make more informed and proactive choices about your energy supply. When switching is easy, you are more likely to compare deals and move to a supplier that better meets your needs, whether that is for better pricing, improved customer service, or a different tariff structure. This fosters greater competition among suppliers, ultimately benefiting consumers. Understanding your energy bill can also help you make informed decisions.

The future of energy switching in the UK

The journey towards a fully implemented OTS for energy is part of a broader regulatory effort to enhance consumer protection and market efficiency.

Regulatory landscape and implementation

Ofgem is the UK's energy regulator, responsible for ensuring fair practices and consumer protection in the gas and electricity markets. While OTS has been successfully implemented for broadband under Ofcom, its application to energy is a separate regulatory initiative. The goal of such regulations is to reduce barriers to switching and foster competition among suppliers, ensuring consumers can easily access the best deals available. The average UK home uses around 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas per year, figures set by Ofgem as medium Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs) effective from 1 July 2026.

What to expect next

While the full implementation of OTS for energy is still evolving, the direction is clear: a future where managing your energy supply is as straightforward as possible. Consumers can expect continued efforts from regulators and industry to refine and expand simplified switching processes. This ongoing development aims to ensure that switching energy suppliers becomes an effortless process, allowing you to focus on enjoying your home rather than navigating complex administrative tasks.

Choosing a hassle-free energy supplier

As the energy market moves towards simpler switching, choosing a supplier that aligns with this ethos of ease and transparency becomes increasingly important.

Aligning with the one Touch ethos

A supplier that embraces the spirit of OTS will prioritise clear communication, straightforward processes, and robust customer support. This means providing tools and services that make energy management intuitive, allowing you to monitor your usage and costs without unnecessary complexity. Fuse Energy's vision of abundant, hassle-free energy aligns perfectly with the OTS ethos of effortless energy management.

Support for your seamless switch

Even with a simplified switching process, having reliable support is crucial. Fuse Energy offers 24/7 human customer support, ensuring that help is always available if needed. The Fuse app provides customers with clear control and visibility over their energy, embodying the simplicity that OTS promises. By vertically integrating and rebuilding the energy system, Fuse is creating a future where energy management is inherently simple and seamless, anticipating the benefits of OTS.

Take the stress out of managing your energy. With Fuse Energy, you get clear pricing, real-time usage data, 24/7 human customer support, and a modern energy experience designed around you. Signing up takes just a few minutes, so you can take control of your bills from day one. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and start saving. Find out about our mission by clicking here.