Who is my energy supplier: A guide for UK households
Want to know who supplies the gas and electricity to your property? Discover how with our handy guide plus tips to choosing an energy supplier that’s right for you.
Updated on 18th August 2025 by:
John Evans, Commercial Director, British Gas Energy
The importance of knowing who your energy supplier is
There are all kinds of instances where you’ll need to find out who supplies your energy. For most people it’s because they’re moving into a new home – but there are plenty of other reasons too.
In house shares, it’s often left to one tenant to look after the bills. When they leave, someone else will have to take charge and they’ll need to find out what’s what. That can be true for couples going their separate way too.
One person may have been responsible for the bills but if they move out, the other may have no idea who supplies their energy.
Also, if you’re a landlord moving back into a property after it’s been rented to tenants, you’ll need some help to take control of the bills again. If any of this rings true and you’ve been asking yourself who your energy supplier is, this guide is here to help.
How do I find out my current energy supplier?
One of the easiest ways to find out who supplies your gas and/or electricity is to check a recent energy bill or statement. It should clearly show the name of your supplier, as well as your account details. If you pay by direct debit, your bank statements might also list the company name.
If you’ve just moved into a new home, it’s a good idea to ask the previous owner, landlord, or letting agent. If you can’t get hold of a bill, read on for other ways to track down who supplies your gas and electricity.
How do I find out who supplies my gas?
To find out who supplies your gas:
- Head to the Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS). All you need is the postcode to use this online service.
- You can also get your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) or gas supply number which is used to identify your individual gas supply point should you need it.
- Or you can call the meter number helpline on 0870 608 1524 – calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.
How do I find out who supplies my electricity?
To see who supplies your electricity:
- First you need to find out who your network operator is. You can do that by using the Energy Networks Association’s online search tool. Just pop in the postcode.
- Then contact your local network operator to find out who supply's your electricity
- You can also get your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) or electricity supply number which is used to identify your individual electricity supply point should you need it.
Once you know who supplies the energy to your property, it will be much easier to manage your energy account or even switch suppliers if you're looking for a better deal.
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If we supply the energy to your new home, we'll guide you through setting up a new energy account.
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From flats to family houses, our gas and electricity tariffs have you covered. We supply gas and electricity to more than 7 million homes, so you’re in safe hands
- If you choose a fixed tariff, and we bring out an even better fixed deal in the future – you can switch for free
- We also have a special Electric Vehicle tariff, giving you cheaper electricity at night
Get a quote to see if you could cut your bills by switching.
5 things to consider when switching energy suppliers
- Review your current energy deal. Understanding this will make it easier to compare your current tariff with other available options
- Understand your energy usage. Knowing how much you are using can help to avoid paying more than you need to
- Compare tariffs to find the best energy rates. Consider factors like price, contract length, fixed or variable tariff options, exit fees and customer service ratings to find the right tariff for you.
- Should you switch to a green tariff? Yes, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint and support renewable sources, but it’s worth comparing prices as green tariffs can be slightly more expensive
- How do you want to pay? Direct Debit is generally considered the cheapest and most convenient way to spread the cost of your energy over the year. Or you can pay on receipt of your monthly or quarterly bill by card, cash or cheque. You can also opt to Pay As You Go
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between energy suppliers and energy distributors?
An energy distributor is the company responsible for transporting your gas or electricity to your home. They run the networks that all energy travels through. You can’t change your energy distributor.
Your energy supplier is the company you pay for your energy – like us! A small percentage of the fee you pay them goes back to the distributor so they can maintain the network.
Do I have to cancel my old energy supplier?
No, you do not need to contact your old energy supplier when switching to a new supplier. Your new supplier will handle the cancellation process with your old supplier. However, you will need to provide meter readings to both your old and new suppliers to ensure accurate billing.
Can my landlord choose my energy supplier?
If it's your name on the bill, you get to choose the energy supplier. However, a landlord can choose the energy supplier if they are responsible for paying the energy bills at the rental property
What is my Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN)?
A Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) or electricity supply number is a 13-digit number used to identify your individual electricity supply point. You can find it on your electricity bill often in a grid-like format beginning with the letter S. If you don’t have access to a bill and you don’t know who supplies your electricity, you first need to find out who your network operator is. You can do that by using the Energy Networks Association’s online search tool . Just pop in the postcode. Then contact your network operator directly to find out who supply's your electricity and what your MPAN number is.
What is my Meter Point Reference Number?
A Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) is a 10-digit number used to identify your individual gas supply point. You can find it on your gas bill often under ‘Details of charges’, also referred to as Meter Point Reference or Meter Number. It’s not the same as your Meter Serial Number. If you don’t have access to a bill and you don’t know who supplies your gas, head to the Meter Point Administration Service (MPAS). All you need is the postcode to use this online service. Or you can call the meter number helpline on 0870 608 1524 – calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.