Removing prepayment meter & where next?

Truncheon_2

Hello everyone. I currently have a prepayment meter with N Power that I had installed a while back. I also have a debt with them of a few hundred pounds that is being paid with the prepayment card. I would like to pay the remainder of the debt off in one go and get the prepayment meter removed but don't know where to start. Would like an online tariff which I've heard are the cheapest way now that I'm with a new partner. Would appreciate if anyone could point me in the right direction as I don't know where to start. Cheers.

kjsmith7

Firstly, I would phone nPower and check how much of the debt is left and whether it is possible for you to pay it in one go and have a credit meter.

If all is well and they give the go ahead, then enquire as to their cheapest Online tariffs, and I'd suggest a reasonable direct debit (think of how much you spend roughly now and take a little off - better to be in credit than in debt after a year and have to have another prepayment meter put back in!) to keep the payments manageable.

If nPower say you can't have a credit meter, then you can contact other suppliers and move over to them (obviously after you've paid the debt to nPower in one go), but bear in mind that it takes 4-6 weeks to switch, then up to 28 days for your account to be fully set up with the new supplier BEFORE they can arrange for your meter to be exchanged to a credit meter.

You'll probably be credit checked with any supplier, these days. You may need to pay a security deposit to have credit meters fitted, which you'll get back after a year. If another company says they'll take over your supply and fit a prepayment meter, I'd get it in writing.

Truncheon_2

Hi thanks for the response. I've been trying to get through to N Power all afternoon to find out how much is still outstanding but gave up eventually after being in a queue for ages. Forgive me but what is a credit meter?

macman

A credit meter is the opposite of a pre-payment meter-one which allows you credit, as you are billed in arrears.

Truncheon_2

Okay thanks. So my first step is to get in touch with N Power as soon as possible. Probably Tuesday now because of the bank holiday I suppose.

macman

I think you'll find they are open on Saturday-just check their website.

Truncheon_2

Okay. Thanks Macman.

seafarers_wife

they are open tomorrow 9 - 5. call the freephone number 0800 551 555.

divadee

if n power charge to remove the pre payment meter ( i know scottich power charge £44.95 per meter and want £150 per service deposit. This is without even doing a credit check its just a standard charge) find a company that doesnt and switch to them.

My mum and dad are moving into a house with a pre-payment meter that they dont want and southern electric will change it free of charge and not charge a deposit either. we have initiated the move to them already as they are moving in at the end of may. The house is currently empty so no probs about changing suppliers.

kjsmith7

divadee wrote: »

if n power charge to remove the pre payment meter ( i know scottich power charge £44.95 per meter and want £150 per service deposit. This is without even doing a credit check its just a standard charge) find a company that doesnt and switch to them.

My mum and dad are moving into a house with a pre-payment meter that they dont want and southern electric will change it free of charge and not charge a deposit either. we have initiated the move to them already as they are moving in at the end of may. The house is currently empty so no probs about changing suppliers.

Again, as I said in my post above, I'd always get anything like this (free exchange with no credit check) in writing, just to be on the safe side.

divadee

kjsmith7 wrote: »

Again, as I said in my post above, I'd always get anything like this (free exchange with no credit check) in writing, just to be on the safe side.

southern electric will do a credit check on my mum and dad which will come back with no probs. they have such a good credit rating that there will not be any probs.

also have the exchange in an email saying that they will swap them FOC