1st House; Advice Needed

MelodyMaker

Hi

I'm about to move into my first house on the 3rd of April, and I'm looking for some advice regarding what to do with gas/electric. Do I continue on the current owners deal or do I need to sort something out? All these comparison websites ask who is my current provider, and I don't have one! Any tips and advice on moving into a house for the first time would be great, best practices etc!

Cheers

Mike

Cardew

you will have enough to do over the next weeks.

Read the meters the moment you move in.

In slow time see what supplier/tariff you have and after a few weeks ask the question again here and you will get some better advice.

MelodyMaker

So can I swap my provider (whoever it is) If I want?

Cardew

MelodyMaker wrote: »

So can I swap my provider (whoever it is) If I want?

Yes you can switch.

It takes some weeks.

However at the moment you don't know if your are jumping from the frying pan into the fire by switching.

Energyman_2

Its easy to find out your suppliers - phone 08706081524 for gas info and look in phone book for your local network operator for electricity (ask of Meter Point Administration Service)

Alternatively phone any supplier and they will tell you (but will try to sign you over to them)

If you need to find usage read your meter when you move and again a few days later (or buy an energy monitor)

Look on comparison sites for best deals or phone a supplier of your choice if you have a preferance - don't stay with current supplier just because the previous occupants used them - you could have a really bad deal!

Businessgirl

Ask the current owners who the supplier is and then ....compare prices! Use an online comparison site.

toots666

snap - im getting my keys on the 3rd too... dont you get an energy report through? that will tell you quite abit there including the supplier....
think im going to call the different suppliers and see what they're going to offer me - dont want to use the same supplier as the last guy likes :P

ex-energywatch_adviser

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/EnergySupplyandPost/energysupply/563247/movinghome tells you what you need to do when you move into a new home.Contacting the existing supplier should be your first step.

Premier_2

toots666 wrote: »

snap - im getting my keys on the 3rd too... dont you get an energy report through? that will tell you quite abit there including the supplier....

Yes, you should get an Energy Performace Certificate, but I'm not sure how valuable it will be. Have you seen yours?

According to this website, you get 3 things:
1. An energy rating A - G similar to what you see on large electrical items (plus an equivilent environmental impact rating)
2. A basic floorplan
3. Some photos.

I even think the last 2 items are optional.

Somewhere it should also include what can be done to improve energy efficiency (e.g. use low energy lightbulbs, lag the loft, install double glazing, etc.)
Nothing about the current supplier(s) though, afaik.

A bargain bit of paper for 50 quid ... not.

toots666

yeh ive seen mine although i didn't pay for it - i got given that - think its to do with the scottish system...... i was looking for it again and you're right it didn't say but im sure it says somewhere it uses scottish hydro :S mmmm now to go through all the emails again lol.... couldn't have dreamt about it - right....

Premier_2

toots666 wrote: »

yeh ive seen mine although i didn't pay for it - i got given that - think its to do with the scottish system...... i was looking for it again and you're right it didn't say but im sure it says somewhere it uses scottish hydro :S mmmm now to go through all the emails again lol.... couldn't have dreamt about it - right....

That's right, you'll be given it 'free' in England & Wales too.

But it cost the Landlord about £50 to obtain it, and guess where the Landlord recoups that expenditure from