Changing supplier after moving into a house

liam_h

Hi all,

Last month me and the OH moved into our new house. Npower have of course put us on a standard tariff. We want to move suppliers but have no idea if we can, or at least have npower put us on a better tarif. It's a three bedroom semi with just the two of us. We're out allday and in during evenings. Would that put us at low consumption?

Npower charge £75 a month altogether, although that's after I asked it to be put up as I didn't want a large bill - I still think £75 is low. All the other suppliers on uswitch are quoting more a month so not too sure what to do.

uSwitch_company_representative

Hi,

Standard tariffs are among the most expensive, so you should be able to find a cheaper one. There also shouldn't be any reason why you can't switch - unless you're renting and it's written into your contract or you owe your supplier over £200.

Is the £75 a month npower charge you based on real meter readings you've given them or is it just an estimate of how much you use? If it's an estimate it could be wrong! They might be charging you too much or too little, and if you're basing your comparision on that £75 a month charge then the results you see will be out too.

If you can, try and work out your monthly/annual usage in kWh - that will give you the best result.

From what you said about your usage, I'd guess you might be more of a medium user than a low.

Hope this helps.

Lauren

macman

If you're registered with nPower, then you can commence a switch any time you like, it will take 4-5 weeks. Get off standard tariff whatever else you do, as it's the most expensive option.

liam_h

That's the problem, as we've only just moved in (it's our first house) we don't have any average readings.

Initially they set the dd amount at a lower level, but I increased it as I felt it was too low.

dogshome

Hi liam_h Understand your problem with no consumption history, but what is important is that you get onto a cheaper tariff, be it with n'power or someone else

3bed semi with 2 adult occupants ?
Go onto the Switch sites and enter your annual consumption in Kwh, as 3500 for Elec and 18000 for gas - this will bring you in quotes, but remember the figures are pure guess work, so you must record your meter readings weekly to judge if your actual consumptions are under or over and adjust your D/D payments accordingly

uSwitch_company_representative

We have a speical route on our site for people who've moved (tick yes when we ask if you've just moved) - it's based on estimates and the low. medium and high user groups set by Ofgem. It won't be a 100% accurate quote, but it'll give you the best possible idea of which supplier is cheapest. I'd say to choose the 'medium user' option - that's based on 3300 kWh for electricity and 18,000 kWh for gas, similar to what dogshome suggests.

Alternatively just give us a call and someone can talk you through and answerany questions for you.

Lauren