Thinking about moving to a new home? It might be stressful at first, but don’t sweat it folks because this is your chance at a fresh new start! Since the whole process involves a lot of responsibilities as well, in this article we’ll focus more on explaining the procedure for switching to a new energy supplier. Yay! So, stay tuned to for more folks.
First of all, it’s important to notify your energy provider that you will be moving or have moved ASAP. The cost of your gas and electricity bills may quickly add up, and if you aren’t careful, you could end up paying for energy you didn’t even use.
If your new house includes a prepayment meter, there will be some extra steps to take. What does this mean exactly? Well, if you have a meter that requires payment before you can use any of your utilities, such as gas or electricity, then you pretty much have a prepayment meter.
Oh, and you should give your electricity and gas provider at least 48 hours’ notice before you move in. So be sure not to forget that!
Next, have your meters read on the day of your big move and report the results to your utility company. If you somehow seem unhappy with your final bill, you’ll be glad you kept track of the dates and times of your readings.
Provide your new address to your supplier so that they’ll know where to send the bill, which must be paid within 28 days. You should also know that you are entitled to a refund if you are shown to be “in credit” on your final statement.
What if I’m currently on a fixed tariff?
If you break your contract too soon, you could be charged for it. This is what is referred to as an “exit fee.” The exit fee can be determined by reviewing the contract or getting in touch with the provider. In the event that you violate the terms of your agreement, you will be placed on a normal variable tariff.
It’s possible that you won’t need to violate the terms of your contract if you want to maintain your relationship with your current provider. Inquire about the possibility of maintaining the same rate in your new residence if it is possible.
Check to see if the fixed rate you are currently paying is higher than the typical variable rate that you will be required to pay in your new location if your provider allows you to keep your current tariff.
The maximum amount that suppliers can charge for ordinary variable tariffs has been capped by the government.
The name for this provision is the Energy Price Guarantee and it will continue until April of 2024. After the 30th of June in 2023, however, the Energy Price Guarantee cap will be raised to a higher level. This indicates that you might spend more, but there is also the possibility that you might pay less if costs for global energy decline.
What to do after the big move?
First of all, your moving journey should bring you nothing but joy and happiness. But, this doesn’t mean your responsibilities end there folks! So, you need to get in touch with the current provider at your new residence and let them know that you’ve moved in.
Your ‘deemed contract’ with your provider will be for whatever their ‘default’ or ‘standard variable’ tariff happens to be at the time you are automatically enrolled in it. If you aren’t sure, you should look into who your supplier is.
It’s possible that there aren’t many attractive bargains on energy tariffs right now, but you can still switch to a new provider if you want to.
These developments are the result of shifts in the energy sector. If you are unable to locate a tariff that is superior to the one you are now on, it is in your best interest to hold off on switching providers or coming to an agreement with your new provider regarding a fixed tariff until fresh bargains become available.
On the day that you move in, you should check your meters and provide the readings to the previous provider. This will assist them in providing you with an accurate initial charge.
When you obtain the final bill from your previous supplier, pay it right away or check to see if the company owes you money.
Oh, and we also advise you to discover how to get your gas and electric lines run to your new home if it doesn’t already have them. Find out more interesting details on this link.
How can I change the company that supplies my energy?
When you’re looking into the option of switching energy suppliers, switching is typically a low-key easy and uncomplicated process.
“So what should I do?” Well, for starters, it’s helpful if you have a current copy of your energy bill on hand; however, if you do not have one, don’t start to freak out. We will still be able to walk you through the procedure.
Even if you don’t have a recent copy of your energy bill on hand, don’t panic; we’ll still be able to walk you through the process even if you don’t have it.
Awesomely enough, in just a few short minutes, you can start the transfer to your new provider, and in as little as five business days, you can be up and running with your new provider. There will be no disruption to your power supply while the changeover is being made, and there will be no work done either inside or outside your home during this time.
Here’s what you need to do in greater detail:
Check your most current energy bill, or use a calculator to be more precise in your calculations. You must be aware of your current tariff and supplier. There are many online tools that can provide an estimate of your energy use if you are unsure of this number.
The next thing you should focus on is getting an estimate and choosing a rate. You’ll know in a matter of minutes which providers and tariffs will provide the greatest cost savings. You will be taken to a confirmation page when you have decided on a new tariff. It will request information like your direct debit information and meter readings so that both your old and new suppliers can get started on bills.
Thirdly, a good idea is to verify the amount still remaining in your previous account. When you transfer providers, any unused funds in your account should be returned to you immediately; nevertheless, it never hurts to double-check and follow up if required. Also, make sure you’re not missing any final payments to your previous service provider.
For the next part, you should keep calm, relax, and wait to be switched. The process of switching is low-key straightforward, as mentioned above, and does not necessitate any outside wiring or construction. Awesome, right?
Actually, you shouldn’t see any changes, other than lower monthly payments. Your expedited transition should be finished in five business days. However, there may be a brief holdup if your new service provider needs further details from you. You have 14 days to change your mind and get your money back.
Oh, but if you decide to cancel your switch during the cooling-off time, you will be responsible for paying the temporary supplier for the energy you consumed up until the point that your supply is switched back.
If you decided against skipping the waiting period and immediately switching, you’ll have until the end of your cooling-off period to make the change.
The transition in such a circumstance typically takes about 15 days to finish. You may be able to select a switch date up to 28 days in advance, depending on your new provider. We advise you to click here if you want to discover more relevant info about your options!
What about a prepayment meter?
If the power at your new house is metered by a prepayment meter, you should get in touch with the current provider immediately. Until then, please refrain from using the key/card or feeding the meter. If you don’t clear the debts of the previous tenants, they could cost you and arm and a leg.
Well, folks, you should tell the existing provider whether you need to top off the meter before you can get in touch with them. If you can provide proof of when you moved in, they will reimburse you for any overpayments.
If you’re behind on payments, tell your provider to remove the meter. Fill up the meter with their help by getting a replacement prepaid key or card.
Finally, have them mail you instructions for using the meter and what to do if there are any issues.
If you’re having trouble with your prepayment meter, like if it’s difficult to add money, be sure to let your utility company know. They may be able to simplify it for you or maybe do away with it totally.
In a nutshell
There you have it folks! We’re glad you’ve made it to the end of the article and we hope we’ve explained all there is to know about switching to a new energy provider when you plan on moving. Since moving for a lot of people is a stressful process, it’s important to take care of this responsibility ASAP. The longer you prolong it, chances are that you’ll have financial problems down the road.
