First Home - Where to start when choosing a provider??

rachelstephen7

Just moving into my new place and really have no idea how to choose an energy provider!

Always lived in house shares, so never had to think about this before.

The previous tenants used Co-op energy, but as they have already left I am unable to see any bills to see what usage they had in the house. The landlord has confirmed he has no idea on what units they used either.

So I’m looking at these price comparism sites but I have no idea how much energy we would use?

It’s a 2 bed semi detached, with GCH (boiler 18 months old) but we both work long hours and commute quite far so wouldn’t actually be in the house for hugely prolonged periods of time (so the heating won’t be on much).

Where do we start in choosing an energy provider? Or do we just stick with Co-op for a bit so we can work out how much we do actually use?

Thank you guys

Confused Rach x

notbritishgas

rachelstephen7 wrote: »

Just moving into my new place and really have no idea how to choose an energy provider!

Always lived in house shares, so never had to think about this before.

The previous tenants used Co-op energy, but as they have already left I am unable to see any bills to see what usage they had in the house. The landlord has confirmed he has no idea on what units they used either.

So I’m looking at these price comparism sites but I have no idea how much energy we would use?

It’s a 2 bed semi detached, with GCH (boiler 18 months old) but we both work long hours and commute quite far so wouldn’t actually be in the house for hugely prolonged periods of time (so the heating won’t be on much).

Where do we start in choosing an energy provider? Or do we just stick with Co-op for a bit so we can work out how much we do actually use?

Thank you guys

Confused Rach x

You MUST stick with coop for a bit. When you move in take meter readings and ring them with your details and readings. You are then their customer but you are then free to switch any time you like, if you do it immediately then it will take about 6 weeks.

You have not said what form of heating you have but I am going to assume it is gas. In that case put the national average usage into the comparison sites, 16500 kwh gas and 3200 kwh electric.

That will give you an idea who is the cheapest supplier but of course it will not tell you what your annual spend will be.

Doh, just reread your post and see it is GCH!!

rachelstephen7

Thank you

So It's probably best to stick with Co-op for now so we can get an idea of our consumption? Then possibly in 6 months time start to look around?

notbritishgas

rachelstephen7 wrote: »

Thank you

So It's probably best to stick with Co-op for now so we can get an idea of our consumption? Then possibly in 6 months time start to look around?

Well hopefully we are now moving into spring/summer:j so your usage over the next few months may not give you a useful annual total.

When you ring the coop when you register with them ask them the annual figures for the last occupier. But you may not be too far away from the average figures I quoted earlier, perhaps a little less for the gas.