How Much Does Bulb Energy Cost in the UK?
Bulb Energy charges the average UK household around £110 per month for gas and electricity. Bulb was acquired by Octopus Energy in 2024 after entering special administration, and its customers have been migrated to the Octopus Energy platform. Prices are governed by Ofgem's quarterly price cap on standard variable tariffs.
| Tariff Type | Typical Monthly Cost | Contract Length | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vari-Fair (now Octopus Flexible) | £110 | Rolling monthly | Price cap protected |
Bulb originally launched as a green energy challenger in 2015, offering a single simple tariff with 100% renewable electricity and 10% green gas. Following financial difficulties during the 2022 energy crisis, Bulb was placed into special administration and subsequently acquired by Octopus Energy. According to Ofgem, the typical dual fuel bill under the price cap is approximately £1,568 per year.
For a full comparison of UK energy suppliers, see our guide to UK Utilities subscriptions.
Does Bulb Energy Auto-Renew?
Yes, Bulb Energy bills renew automatically each month via direct debit. Since the Octopus Energy acquisition, billing operates through the Octopus platform. Your monthly payment is set based on estimated annual usage, spread evenly across 12 monthly payments.
Your direct debit is reviewed periodically to ensure it reflects your actual energy consumption. If you build up a credit balance, you can request a refund through your online account. Smart meter customers receive accurate bills based on actual readings.
Existing Bulb customers have been migrated to Octopus Energy accounts. If you were a Bulb customer, check your Octopus Energy online account for current billing details and tariff information.
How to Cancel Bulb Energy
Since Bulb Energy has been acquired by Octopus Energy, cancelling effectively means switching away from Octopus Energy. The process is handled by your new supplier under Ofgem's switching guarantee.
Step-by-step process
- Compare energy deals on Uswitch, MoneySupermarket, or directly with suppliers
- Sign up with your chosen new energy supplier
- The new supplier manages the switch with Octopus Energy (formerly Bulb)
- The transfer completes within 5 working days
- A final bill is issued and any credit balance is refunded
- No exit fees apply on variable tariffs
Since Bulb customers are now on Octopus Energy tariffs, any exit fee terms follow Octopus Energy's policies. The Flexible Octopus variable tariff has no exit fees.
For alternative suppliers, see our guides to Octopus Energy and OVO Energy.
Is Bulb Energy Worth It in 2026?
Bulb Energy no longer operates as an independent supplier. All Bulb customers have been migrated to Octopus Energy, which is consistently rated the UK's best energy supplier for customer service. The transition has generally been positive for former Bulb customers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Now served by top-rated Octopus Energy | Bulb brand no longer exists independently |
| Access to Octopus's innovative tariffs | Original simple single-tariff model is gone |
| 100% renewable electricity continues | Former Bulb customers needed to set up new accounts |
| Octopus's award-winning customer service | Some customers reported transition issues |
| No exit fees on variable tariffs | No continuity of Bulb's specific carbon offsetting programme |
If you were a Bulb customer, you are now an Octopus Energy customer with access to their full range of tariffs including Octopus Go (for EV owners) and Octopus Tracker (daily variable pricing). For price comparisons, also check EDF Energy and E.ON Next.
Track Your Bulb Energy Subscription with Prunely
Prunely lets you add your Bulb Energy (now Octopus Energy) direct debit to see exactly when your next payment falls. Set custom reminders so you get an alert before you are charged. Track your energy spending alongside all your other subscriptions — broadband, insurance, streaming, and more — without connecting a bank account. Prunely is free for up to 5 subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bulb Energy still operating in the UK?
No, Bulb Energy no longer operates as an independent supplier. Bulb was acquired by Octopus Energy in 2024 after entering special administration. All former Bulb customers have been migrated to Octopus Energy accounts and tariffs.
How much did Bulb Energy cost per month?
Bulb's typical monthly bill was around £110 for dual fuel. Since migration to Octopus Energy, costs are similar and depend on your Octopus tariff choice. All standard variable tariffs are capped by Ofgem at approximately £1,568 per year for typical usage.
What happened to my Bulb account?
Your Bulb account has been migrated to Octopus Energy. You should have received communications about setting up your new Octopus Energy account. Log in at octopus.energy with the email address associated with your former Bulb account.
Can I switch away from Bulb/Octopus for free?
Yes, if you are on the Flexible Octopus variable tariff (which most former Bulb customers were moved to), there are no exit fees. Simply sign up with a new supplier and they handle the switch. Check for exit fees if you have since moved to a fixed tariff.
How do I track my energy spending after switching from Bulb?
Add your Octopus Energy direct debit to Prunely to track monthly payments alongside all your other subscriptions. The Octopus Energy app provides detailed usage data and billing history, with half-hourly consumption insights for smart meter customers.