tips for a successful change of supply.

Airmike23

So many folks use a comparison site to change suppliers these days, and still get it wrong. Below is a quick guide to a successful change of supply, whether internet quoting or contacting/contacted by a power company.

1 - Always work out you annual consumption in KWh for gas and electric. For gas look at your most recent bill for the calculation to convert gas read (eitherin cubic feet or meters) into KWh. For customers who are on Economy 7, to understand night cionsumption, work out total KWh used on day and night reads, add two totals together, then divide night KWh by total KWh used to get % used at night. If use under 35-40% at night probably better oiff not paying E7 rates. This does not require a change of meter.

2 - If you have the internet, the top results will be online billing tariffs, usually with a much higher discount than customers on paper billing, because of this there is usually a cancellation charge, so be aware of this and look at your current providers own online billing tariff if not alredy on it, you could save as much by changing your tariff with them than having to do a change of supply.

3 - DO pay by monthly direct debit as all power companies give a bigger discount for that method of payment, rather than cash or cheque paying customers.

4 - Ensure you give reads either just before or on the day the supply starts with new supplier, ensures final bill form last provider, and first bill from new provider follow on.

5 - NEVER quote based on what you currently pay by direct debit each month!

E.g I used 3581kwh elec 12037kwh gas on the tariff I'm on it costs me £689 a year or £57 a month, but I pay £67 at mo cos I was in debit after the harsh winter this year, if I had quoted on my mdd alone I would potentially get a wrong set of reults back. I have not lowered it yet cos I want to see what credit I will be in on my November bill before making that decision.

6 - NEVER be reactive - i.e a rep from another power company telling you yopu should change, contact existing supplier ensure direct debit is accurate, that it's not too high or too low for cost of your consumption.

7 - Always check the Welcome letter you get from new provider, as well as confirming unit rates and discounts associated with the tariff you have agreed with them it also conirms metering info, to confirm what they meters they are taking on are accurate check thye serial no on the gas and electric meters you have at your property.

8 - NEVER go on unit rates only as acomparison. All the power companies differ how many KWh they charge the primary unit rates for, that's why a quote on consumption is so important, and also all power co's offer a discount for dual fuel paid by direct debit, again varying company to company, which will effect the total annual cost.

This is not exhaustive but some good pointers to make sure firstly you end up with the right supplier and tariff and secondly that once COS is going thru that it goes smoothly.

Hope thsi is useful!!:)