Question about a keycard meter thingy

riverboat2001

My new home has an EDF Electric meter with a blue stick thing.

I tried the stick in the meter, but it showed a debit of £16.10, so therefore no electric.

I'm not living there at the moment, but want to make a start with the wallpaper stripper and electric sander.

So i phoned EDF and asked what i have to do, they've sent me out a new stick with £16 credit on. (haven't used it yet, want to check on here first)

Firstly, if i use this stick am i then signed up for a yearly contract, or is it just like a pay as you go sim, therefore i can use it for a couple of weeks, while i get myself sorted?


Also i'm thinking of going on the British Gas dual fuel tariff, thereby getting a saving on my suppliers.

BUT, i don't actually have a contract with British Gas yet as i'm waiting for Transco to do a "Live or Dead" test, before i can get a meter fitted!


So basically what i really want to do is get access to electric without signing up for a long contract.

t0rt0ise

You won't be in a long contract for the electric unless you sign up for a cheaper tariff and EDF may well not have different tariffs for key meters (the stick thing is called a key). When you are ready to change suppliers simply change in the usual way by signing up with the new supplier. They will then tell the old supplier and sort things out. If you want rid of the key meter, British Gas will likely exchange it for a normal meter for no charge providing you pass a credit check. If you do want rid of the meter you might want to start the change to British Gas now as it takes several weeks to change over.

riverboat2001

Thanks for that, but not sure if i can start the dual fuel tarrif until i've actually got a gas supply sorted!

t0rt0ise

No, you won't get the dual fuel bit but you could have the elec moved to them in readiness as it takes 4 to 6 weeks to change suppliers.