New home-which supplier?

jules9

Next week i am due to complete on a move from a flat to a house.
I havent got a clue what the previous occupants paid or their usage as the house was tennanted out.
My query is, how can i find the cheapest suppliers of gas and electricity if i dont know what my estimated use will be.
I live alone and am moving to a small two bed semi.
Any advice,tips much appreciated :rotfl:

Cardew

This question is asked frequently.

You need to estimate a consumption figure and enter that in the comparison websites.

The UK average is 20,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity.

As you live on your own in a small house i would start with 15000kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity. and then variations on that, and a pattern will emerge.

You initially will have to use the present supplier, who will probably have you on their expensive standard tariff. It would be an idea to move straight away to their cheapest tariff that doesn't have a tie in period.

fullstop

Cardew wrote: »

This question is asked frequently.

You need to estimate a consumption figure and enter that in the comparison websites.

The UK average is 20,500kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity.

As you live on your own in a small house i would start with 15000kWh gas and 3,300kWh electricity. and then variations on that, and a pattern will emerge.

You initially will have to use the present supplier, who will probably have you on their expensive standard tariff. It would be an idea to move straight away to their cheapest tariff that doesn't have a tie in period.

And make sure you take meter readings when you move in, to help avoid paying for the previous occupiers usage.

jules9

Bit confused, why do i have to use the present suppliers when i move in?

KimYeovil

When you flit you'd rather move your stuff in to a house with no power, no heating, no hot water, no cooking facilities and then sit in the dark, unwashed, for two to three days (or two to three weeks, more likely,) waiting for an engineer from the supplier of your choice to turn up and connect you???

Cardew

jules9 wrote: »

Bit confused, why do i have to use the present suppliers when i move in?

Under the Gas and Electricity Acts(of Parliament) the supplier must leave the gas and electricty connected; otherwise the alternative would be to disconnect all gas and electricity from the property.

As the post above indicates, it might take several weeks to establish who you are, your 'creditworthyness' and arrange for the electricity to be connected.

The gas would be more complicated as a fitter would need to check and purge the gas supply.

It is of course your right to insist the they do disconnect; but is the several weeks wait and cost of re-connection worth the trouble?;)

As soon as you have used any electricity, you have entered a legally binding 'deemed contract' with the current(sorry) supplier. You can then set in place arrangements to switch.