With the energy price cap rising and colder winter days ahead, now is the perfect time to reevaluate your energy provider. Switching providers can help reduce your bills over time, and there are also opportunities to earn extra through referral bonuses and cashback offers. As always, I’ve been exploring these incentives to make the switch even more rewarding.

Today, I’ll take you through the leading energy providers in the UK and share simple ways to maximise your savings. If you’re ready to take control of your energy bills and earn a little extra cash, keep reading!

1️⃣ British Gas

Referral
Are you thinking of switching to British Gas? Before you do, check whether a friend or family already has an account. British Gas has increased the referral bonus of their refer a friend program. You and a friend will each receive a £75 Amazon gift card when you switch your gas and electricity, or a £35 gift card each if you switch just one.

2️⃣ EDF Energy

Referral
EDF Energy has increased its referral award for Black Friday. Running until 12th December, a successful referral is worth £75 credit to the referrer, and £50 credit for the referee. Existing customers simply need to find their unique link from the My Account page, and share it.

Cashback
If a referral is not possible, then another opportunity to make some extra cash is to use a cashback website. The best-paying cashback I’ve found is via TopCashBack, new and existing customers can make £100 cashback when signing up for a Dual Fuel tariff, then £50 cashback for a Single Fuel tariff.

The next best payout is Quidco, £40 cashback for fixed dual fuel purchases and £20 cashback for fixed single fuel purchases.

3️⃣ E.ON Next

Referral
Next up, E.ON Next. They also have a refer a friend scheme. If a friend or family member is an existing customer, ask them to share their unique referral link which can be found in their online account. A successful referral nets £50 credit for both and you. Easy! Terms & Conditions.

4️⃣ Octopus Energy

Referral
Octopus Energy’s referral program offers £50 credit for both you and a friend when you sign up for an energy plan using their unique referral link, perfect for offsetting winter energy bills. Here's how it works: The referrer should log into their account to find the referral link, once the referred person completes their first month’s Direct Debit, you both receive £50 credit. The credit usually takes about four weeks after the switch is completed.

5️⃣ Ecotricity

Referral
Ecotricity is a UK-based green energy company specialising in renewable electricity and gas. They are offering £25 account credit to you and a friend for a successful switch. You can switch online using a referral link, or by calling Ecotricity and mentioning the referrer’s name. Credit is usually paid within 30 days.

Cashback
For a potentially larger reward, consider switching via a cashback website. TopCashback are paying £50 cashback for dual fuel, and £25 cashback for single fuel. It’s the same story with Quidco, £50 for duel fuel and £25 for single fuel.