What is Energy Plus’s editorial policy?

Energy Plus’s editorial policy explains how we create, review, update and present content so it is accurate, transparent and useful. It outlines our approach to evidence, impartiality, corrections, and how commercial relationships (such as advertising or affiliate partnerships) are handled so readers can trust what they read.

How do you ensure accuracy and reliability?

We aim to publish information that is correct, clear and supported by credible sources. Content is reviewed and checked before publishing and may be refreshed when guidance, products, prices or regulations change.

Are your reviews and comparisons independent?

We aim to keep editorial decisions separate from commercial considerations. Where we earn revenue (for example through advertising, sponsored content or affiliate links), this is handled with transparency so it does not compromise the integrity of our editorial content.

Do you use affiliate links or receive commissions?

Some pages may include affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose to buy through those links. This helps support our website, and we aim to ensure it does not influence the accuracy or fairness of our content.

How do you handle corrections and updates?

If an error is identified, we aim to correct it as soon as possible. We may also update content to reflect new information, changes in the market, or updated guidance—helping readers make better decisions with the latest available information.

How can I report an error or request a correction?

If you believe something on our site is incorrect or out of date, please contact us with the page URL and details of the issue so we can review it promptly. You can use the contact options available on https://www.energyplus.co.uk/.

Who is the content written for?

Our content is designed for UK households and businesses looking to understand energy topics, compare options, and make informed choices. We aim to explain complex topics in plain English with practical next steps where appropriate.

How do you choose topics and sources?

Topics are chosen based on reader needs, search demand, and relevance to UK energy decisions. We aim to reference reputable sources (such as official guidance, regulators, industry standards and primary documentation) and keep citations and claims aligned to evidence.

Editorial policy (EnergyPlus.co.uk)

How we research, write and maintain our UK home energy comparison content — including independence, accuracy checks, and how we handle commissions and corrections.

Whole-of-market focus for household energy comparison content
Clear separation between editorial decisions and commercial relationships
Transparent methodology, assumptions and limitations

Get your energy quote How we publish & review

Energy quotes are estimates and depend on your location, meter type, payment method, usage and supplier availability. Terms vary by supplier.

Fast answer: what this editorial policy means for you

This page explains how EnergyPlus produces UK home energy comparison guidance and how we keep it accurate, fair and up to date. It also clarifies how we make money (where applicable), what “whole-of-market” means in practice, and how you can flag something that looks wrong.

Independence

Suppliers can’t buy rankings or recommendations. Editorial decisions are made by our editorial team using published criteria.

Accuracy

We use UK regulator and consumer guidance (e.g., Ofgem and Citizens Advice), check supplier terms where possible, and label estimates clearly.

Transparency

We explain assumptions (usage, region, meter type, payment method), limitations, and how to request corrections.

Key takeaway: EnergyPlus content is written for UK households and aims to help you make an informed choice. Quotes and guidance are not personalised financial advice, and availability varies by supplier, region and meter type.

Our editorial principles

1) People-first, UK-specific guidance

We prioritise practical questions UK households ask: tariffs, standing charges, exit fees, smart/prepayment meters, regional availability (including Scotland/Wales) and what happens when you switch.

2) Clear separation between editorial and commercial

Commercial relationships (where they exist) do not decide our content, headlines, or how we explain pros and cons. We aim to show trade-offs plainly.

3) Evidence-led, explained in plain English

We base consumer rights and market rules on reputable UK sources (e.g., Ofgem, Citizens Advice, GOV.UK). Where we use examples, we label them as scenarios and show assumptions.

4) Updates and corrections

We review key pages regularly and update when rules, price caps, supplier terms, or switching processes change. We correct material errors as soon as practicable.

Important: We can’t guarantee every supplier/tariff is available to every household (availability can depend on your postcode, meter type, credit status checks by suppliers, and payment method).

Compare energy with confidence (and understand how we present results)

Our comparison journey is designed to be clear and “no surprises”. We’ll ask for the details that materially affect your quote (postcode, meter type, payment preference and contact details), then show available options based on the information you provide.

What you’ll see in our results

Estimated costs based on the details you enter (your actual bills can differ).
Tariff type (e.g., fixed vs variable) and any key terms we can surface (such as exit fees).
Payment method compatibility (for example, monthly Direct Debit vs prepayment options where available).
Meter considerations (credit meter, smart meter, prepayment meter) where relevant.

Why we ask for your postcode: network region, tariff availability and pricing can vary across Great Britain. Postcode helps us show the right options for your location.

Two realistic scenarios (with assumptions)

Scenario A: flat, low usage, monthly Direct Debit

Assumptions (illustrative): 1–2 bed flat in Manchester (M postcode), credit or smart meter, paying by monthly Direct Debit, annual use of 1,800 kWh electricity and 7,500 kWh gas.

A fixed tariff that is £12/month lower than the current tariff would be an estimated £144/year difference (12 × £12). This ignores any exit fees and assumes usage stays similar.

Scenario B: family home, higher usage, checking exit fees

Assumptions (illustrative): 3–4 bed home in Cardiff (CF postcode), dual fuel, paying by Direct Debit, annual use of 3,600 kWh electricity and 14,000 kWh gas, current fixed tariff has an exit fee of £75.

If a new tariff looks £9/month cheaper, the estimated annual difference is £108/year. After a £75 exit fee, the first-year difference could be around £33 (£108 - £75), before considering any changes in standing charges or usage.

Limitations: These are simplified examples for understanding. Real quotes depend on unit rates, standing charges, exact tariff terms, your meter, your consumption pattern and supplier availability.

What this policy covers (and what it doesn’t)

Covered

UK household energy comparison and switching content
Tariff explanations (fixed/variable), fees, and common eligibility factors
Guidance about meter types (smart, credit, prepayment) and payment methods
Editorial updates, corrections, and how we source information

Not covered

Business energy supply or complex commercial contracts
Guarantees of savings, acceptance, or tariff availability
Personalised legal/financial advice
Supplier complaint handling (we signpost official routes)

How we compare options: what we consider (and why it matters)

When we discuss “best” or “worth considering”, we mean “best for a specific need” — not a one-size-fits-all winner. The table below shows common factors we use to help readers choose.

Factor	What it affects	What to check
Tariff type	Price certainty vs flexibility	Fixed term length, any exit fee, what happens at end of term
Unit rates	Cost per kWh for gas/electricity	Gas and electricity rates separately; note regional variation
Standing charges	Daily cost regardless of usage	Compare standing charges alongside unit rates (especially for low users)
Payment method	Eligibility and pricing	Direct Debit vs pay on receipt vs prepayment; some deals may be limited
Meter type	Available tariffs and switching steps	Smart, credit, or prepayment; check if you’ll need a meter change
Fees & terms	True first-year cost and risk	Exit fees, late payment fees, discounts/credits and when they apply

Decision checklist: who this policy suits

You want to understand how comparisons are made before you share details.
You prefer plain-English explanations of tariffs, fees and eligibility.
You value UK-specific signposting (regulators, consumer rights, switching rules).
You want transparent examples with assumptions and limitations.

Who it may not suit

You need business energy procurement or multi-site contracting.
You want a guaranteed saving (no comparison site can promise this).
You’re looking for personal financial advice rather than informational guidance.
You require non-GB arrangements (e.g., Northern Ireland has different market structures).

Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls (UK energy)

Energy switching can be straightforward, but these are the areas most likely to cause confusion or disappointment. We design our content to call these out early.

Exit fees and term end dates

Some fixed tariffs include exit fees. If you’re near the end of a fixed term, an exit fee may change whether switching now makes sense.

What to do: check your latest bill or online account for tariff name, end date and any exit fee amount.

Standing charges can outweigh lower unit rates

If you use less energy (small flats, single occupants), a higher standing charge can erase the benefit of a slightly lower unit rate.

What to do: compare estimated annual cost, and look at unit rates and standing charges together.

Prepayment and meter constraints

Prepayment customers may see fewer tariff options, and sometimes switching can involve extra steps depending on the meter and supplier processes.

What to do: confirm your meter type and whether you want to stay on prepayment or move to credit (supplier eligibility can apply).

Direct Debit assumptions

Many quotes assume monthly Direct Debit. If you pay on receipt of bill or use prepayment, pricing and eligibility can differ.

Estimated usage may not match your home

Usage varies with insulation, household size, working-from-home patterns and heating type. Any estimated annual cost should be treated as an estimate.

Regional availability and network differences

Not all tariffs are available everywhere. Network regions (and supplier appetite) can influence what you can switch to.

Editorial promise: When we mention prices, savings or “best deals”, we label them as estimated, explain the assumptions, and flag common exclusions like exit fees, meter restrictions and payment method differences.

Editorial policy FAQs

Do suppliers pay to be featured or ranked higher?

No supplier can pay to influence our editorial views, explanations or any “best for” guidance. Where commercial relationships exist, we still aim to present pros/cons and key terms clearly. If an article includes affiliate links or commercial placements, we aim to label that context clearly on the page.

What does “whole-of-market” mean at EnergyPlus?

It means our intention is to help UK households compare across the market rather than a single supplier. In practice, availability can still be limited by postcode, meter type, payment method and suppliers participating in certain journeys. We explain these limitations where relevant.

How do you decide what to cover on the site?

We prioritise topics that reduce confusion and help you make better decisions: tariffs (fixed/variable), standing charges, switching steps, smart and prepayment meters, and consumer rights. We also update content when Ofgem rules, price cap information, or common supplier terms change.

How often is content updated?

We aim to review core switching and tariff guidance regularly, and update sooner when there are material changes (for example, changes to Ofgem guidance, price cap updates, or major market events). Each guide should show a “Last updated” date.

Do you provide personalised advice?

We provide informational guidance and comparison tools to help you choose, but we don’t provide personalised financial advice. Quotes and “estimated annual costs” depend on the information you provide and can differ from your actual bills.

Why might my quote differ from what I later pay?

Common reasons include different actual usage, price changes on variable tariffs, differences in standing charges by region, meter type constraints, Direct Debit reassessments, and any one-off credits/fees. We try to highlight which parts of a quote are estimates and what can change.

What if I spot an error in a guide?

If something looks incorrect or out of date, please contact us via our website contact route and include the page URL, what you believe is wrong, and (if possible) a reliable supporting source. We’ll review and correct material errors as soon as practicable.

Are standing charges and unit rates the same across the UK?

They can vary by region and supplier. Great Britain energy pricing commonly differs by distribution region (which is why postcode matters). Northern Ireland has different market arrangements, so guidance can differ there.

Trust, methodology and sources

Trust signals

Written by: EnergyPlus Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Energy Specialist
Last updated: February 2026

How we assess and write energy comparison guidance

Step 1 — Define the user question: We map common UK household decisions (switch now vs later, fixed vs variable, Direct Debit vs prepayment) and write to resolve the question early.

Step 2 — Gather reputable sources: We prioritise UK regulator/government and consumer organisations, then cross-check against supplier-published tariff terms where feasible.

Step 3 — State assumptions clearly: For examples, we show assumptions (postcode region, payment method, meter type, usage) and label outputs as estimated.

Step 4 — Add decision support: We include checklists, pitfalls, and “who it suits” guidance to help you self-select.

Step 5 — Review and maintain: We refresh pages when market rules change, when a page is no longer accurate, or when users flag issues.

Limitations of our content: Energy tariffs and rules can change. Some information (such as every tariff’s fine print or regional availability) may not be fully visible until you begin an application with a supplier. We aim to be accurate, but we may not capture every edge case.

Sources we reference (UK)

We may also reference supplier tariff terms and publicly available pricing information where relevant, but regulator and consumer guidance takes priority for rights and rules.

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Updated on 23 Feb 2026