Just moved into a new property

klint

Does anyone know of any price comparison sites that I can use to select an energy supplier as a new customer? All the comparison sites (such as EnergyHelpline and WhichSwich) assume you want to switch form an existing supplier. There is no option of "New Customer" in answer to the question "Who is your current supplier" on their websites.

Yorkie1

I think it will automatically select the default provider for your area as your current plan; and when it asks for your current usage details, there is usually a drop-down list with one selection as 'dont know'. It will then ask you questions about the property etc, and do an estimate of your usage in the property. That will at least enable comparison to be made. If desired, you can then play around with the estimated usage to see whether the cheapest companies / tariffs change much.

NB Are you currently without any power? If you do have power, then you will be on a deemed contract and that will be what you input for the comparison. Who did you provide your meter readings to when you moved in?

macman

Use any tariff you like as your existing one, the point is to get the cheapest price for your usage and area, which it will give you regardless.
However, if you have moved into a new property, you are already in a deemed contract with the existing supplier(s), so best to use that one as your reference point.

klint

Hi macman and Yorkie1,

Thanks for your replies. I had never heard of "deemed contract" before, but now I know what it is. The problem is, I do have gas and electricity, but I have no idea who the current supplier is, my landlady has no idea, and the estate agent has no idea. The only one who knows is the previous tenant, who can no longer be traced. Any idea what I can do?

macman

http://cfe.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5535
http://cfe.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5534

I hope you took readings on the day you moved in, otherwise you may end up paying for the previous tenant's usage. If not. take them today and register. Then you can commence a switch if you wish.