N Power - How do I change from a pre payment metre for free?

draven_girl

We moved into a rental property over a month ago.

We're on N Power for both the gas and electric, the electric is direct debit which is great but the gas is a pre payment metre, which isn't good.

I want to change over to paying by direct debit on the gas, how can I do this for free? It looks like N Power want to charge me after I've paid through the nose for twelve months!!!

I've tried the Energy Help Line but they can't help as we aren't on the same payment terms for dual fuel.

Can anyone help me in advising me what company will change the pre payment metre for free once changing over?

Thanks:)

t0rt0ise

British Gas change meters for free as long as you pass a credit check.

But please spell meter correctly or it'll drive some of us bonkers!

macman

You haven't 'paid through the nose'. PPM's cost the same as the supplier's Standard tariff-so the most you would save on an online discount tariff is 4-6%.
How does this myth that PPM's are vastly more expensive get perpetuated? They are in reality heavily subsidised by credit meter accounts.
Typically you'll be charged £50 for a meter change, and sometimes a 12m refundable deposit is requested.

chanz4

Think npowers is £65, 12 months history. But as soon as you say its rented, they may say no anyway

draven_girl

Sorry about the spelling mistake, I'm pretty bad so apologies.

PPM for me are not cost effective, or life effective. I'll save on duel fuel and paying by direct debit monthly for both my gas and electric. I've done my research. PPM aren't for me, I don't have time to worry about topping up the card, and unfortunately the nearest PPM credit counter isn't close to our house so its a nightmare every time we have to top up.

Thanks for all the advise I'll give BG a go I'm quite happy to be credit checked so I can get rid of this damn thing!

N Power tried to charge me £60, I told them I'll go elsewhere as I didn't see why I should pay for the change over. If other companies can offer it as a free service I don't see why I should shell out to them.

macman

Why ? Because there is a real cost to supply the new meter and do the changeover. Some companies, but not all, are prepared to absorb that cost to win your business (and because credit meters are more profitable for them).
NB: it's dual fuel.

undaunted

There is also a cost to put them in but energy companies will happily fit them for free. I agree with the original poster why should she pay to remove a none standard meter that was fitted for someone elses benefit / due to someone elses none payment not hers.

As to where the "myth" comes from it comes from history ie until relatively recently pre payment customers were being charged well above standard rates. Even now, as the o.p. says she is paying more than she needs to for something that is not her fault.

macman

But it's not the supplier's 'fault' either. The OP took the property on knowing that it had a PPM, it cannot be assumed that it will be changed at no charge. The cost has to be borne somewhere down the line.
A PPM is not a 'non-standard' meter-there is no such thing.

undaunted

Well, according to the BBC there are about 25 million homes in Britain http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456991/html/

whilst according to Energy Choices / National Energy Action there are "only" 5.8 million ppm. http://www.energychoices.co.uk/energy/prepayment-meters.html A reasonable person would therefore conclude from these figures that the "standard" meter fitted in homes must be a credit meter!

Also, the supplier had a choice whether or not a PPM was fitted to this property, whilst the poster did not. Why should it be assumed by the supplier that that the new occupiers would either not expect a credit meter and the benefits of DDI or that they would be willing to pay to change a meter which does not belong to them?

t0rt0ise

Credit meters are always fitted to new houses therefore I'd suggest that they are standard. PPMs are only fitted on request or when the payer defaults which makes them non-standard. I agree wtih the OP that they should be removed at no cost and I don't understand why most suppliers are quite willing to lose customers over them.

chanz4

One of the biggest reasons they dont change them no more is, people move in get them removed for credit meters at the suppliers cost then move supplier and it is classed as a none essiential meter work. Not only this but they are getting mugged by tenants doing one without paying.