how does switching work?

hermante

I've just moved to a new rented flat (I'm in London) which is managed by a property agent. They said I am allowed to change suppliers as long as I inform them afterwards. Previously my rent has always had utilities included so I've never paid any bills.

I did some googling and found some phone numbers, which told me that British Gas supplies both the gas and electricity, and the MPRN is 10 digits starting with 50 and ending with 00.

I'm just a bit confused about whether switching is even possible. Firstly in the meter room, all the meters are branded by British Gas. Also, there is a single gas pipe which gradually divides into pipes that lead off to each flat (after passing through their individual meters). How can different companies supply the gas through the same pipe?

Secondly how do I estimate my usage? Quite small with 1 bedroom, gas hobs and boiler only. I'm out most of the day, electricity would mainly be the fridge, and heaters in winter.

Premier_2

hermante wrote: »

I've just moved to a new rented flat (I'm in London) which is managed by a property agent. They said I am allowed to change suppliers as long as I inform them afterwards. Previously my rent has always had utilities included so I've never paid any bills.

I did some googling and found some phone numbers, which told me that British Gas supplies both the gas and electricity, and the MPRN is 10 digits starting with 50 and ending with 00.

I'm just a bit confused about whether switching is even possible. Firstly in the meter room, all the meters are branded by British Gas. Also, there is a single gas pipe which gradually divides into pipes that lead off to each flat (after passing through their individual meters). How can different companies supply the gas through the same pipe?

Secondly how do I estimate my usage? Quite small with 1 bedroom, gas hobs and boiler only. I'm out most of the day, electricity would mainly be the fridge, and heaters in winter.

Have a read of the MSE guide to switching suppliers.

... this is easy to do. The only major change is price and customer service. You keep the same gas, electricity, pipes, meters and safety. This guide takes you through it in minutes …

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

If after reading, you still have questions, please feel free to post again

macman

There is only one supply pipe. When you switch, the only thing you are switching is the billing company. There is no physical supply change. Exactly the same applies to the electricity.
BG do not generate or supply your electricity and gas, that is done by 3rd party companies. BG buy from them and sell to you.
Since you are already in a deemed supply with BG, the first thing you must do is take and submit meter readings (which I hope you did on day one) and register for an account. You can then start switching if you wish, which takes 4-6 weeks.

Terrylw1

Its the same with elec, they "joint" each supply off and the meters records the actual usage for you to be charged.

Don't worry about the ownership on a meter label, a large amount of gas and elec meters out there were done before deregulation so reflect the old company names.

These companies are able to trade assets (meters) these days hence competition is easier.

Always take your own readings though (changing supplier, meter hange, change of tenancy, etc) or you will suffer issues such as estimates.

hermante

macman wrote: »

Since you are already in a deemed supply with BG, the first thing you must do is take and submit meter readings (which I hope you did on day one) and register for an account. You can then start switching if you wish, which takes 4-6 weeks.

Well the property managed by a management company which wouldn't even tell us the supplier, but they did say we are allowed to switch. They did all the meter readings etc, well I managed to find the meters and called the service that tells us who the suppliers are. (they read the gas meter incorrectly but I called BG to correct that.)

BG said they will take 2 weeks to generate a customer number and 'welcome pack' which will be posted. Do you think I can just do a switch now or should I wait for their letter given that the switch takes 4 weeks anyway?

Terrylw1

Just go for the switch. As long as you have readings for you start in the property and then ones for your change of supplier, its not going to be a problem.

hermante

Thanks Terrylw1.

Two more questions.
I submitted some meter readings to BG (old supplier) and set up a DD since this will hopefully gets me 1600 nectar points before the switch goes through. However today I got a bill (which is due in 3 weeks) and my online account now says the first DD will be taken after the bill is due, which means I need to pay it manually. Can I wait until nearer the due date for the bill or will BG prevent the switch if I don't pay it now?

Question 2: I was having some trouble working out how much gas I've used, BG says I have an imperial meter but it says m3 next to the digital display. However, the reading has an F at the end, e.g. 1234.567F (the . is on the meter itself not the display). Does anyone else have a meter like this? Apparently I have used 124kWh in 2 weeks - gas hob and boiler only, does that sound right?

macman

If you have a metric meter but you are being billed as if you have an imperial meter, than you will have been overcharged by a factor of about 2.83 on every unit!
How many gas units are shown on the bill to make up the usage figure of 124kWh?-it should be about 11 units with a metric meter, or just under 4 units with an imperial meter.
124kWh is tiny for 14 days-less than £2.50 per week.

alinwales

124kwh is no more than a fiver (assuming no more than 4p/kwh). So that's probably about right. you'd have a standing charge on top of this (they charge you so much each day for the priviledge of billing you, then the actual usage is on top of that).

hermante

macman wrote: »

If you have a metric meter but you are being billed as if you have an imperial meter, than you will have been overcharged by a factor of about 2.83 on every unit!
How many gas units are shown on the bill to make up the usage figure of 124kWh?-it should be about 11 units with a metric meter, or just under 4 units with an imperial meter.
124kWh is tiny for 14 days-less than £2.50 per week.

Yes 4 units, but as I said it the reading has F at the end despite the meter saying m3 so was wondering how common this is.

Terrylw1

hermante wrote: »

Thanks Terrylw1.

Two more questions.
I submitted some meter readings to BG (old supplier) and set up a DD since this will hopefully gets me 1600 nectar points before the switch goes through. However today I got a bill (which is due in 3 weeks) and my online account now says the first DD will be taken after the bill is due, which means I need to pay it manually. Can I wait until nearer the due date for the bill or will BG prevent the switch if I don't pay it now?

Question 2: I was having some trouble working out how much gas I've used, BG says I have an imperial meter but it says m3 next to the digital display. However, the reading has an F at the end, e.g. 1234.567F (the . is on the meter itself not the display). Does anyone else have a meter like this? Apparently I have used 124kWh in 2 weeks - gas hob and boiler only, does that sound right?

Bgas can't object on a bill that isn't overdue since its not a debt at that point, so they would just create a final bill that will be higher which you can settle with them. If you didn't pay it prior to requesting yo switch and it was I think over £120 they can.

Not sure on the F on the meter issue. If you know the make & model, you can often find the manufacturer spec docs via Google. There are some engineer/readers on this board who may have come across it in the fiekd, Ilwould have to do some searching as I've not come across it, but I'm more an elec metering guy.