Switching from a pre-pay meter

danroye

We have just bought our first home and unfortunately the gas and electric are on a pre-pay meter.

Obviously want to get that onto a direct debit asap!

Now, I have no idea how to go about this! The gas and electric are with NPower, but I doubt they are the cheapest. Something I read suggests that the current supplier needs to remove/replace the meter and then switch you to DD. Wouldnt this lock me into a deal with a supplier that I might not want and have no prior dealings with?

HappyMJ

You can switch to a supplier that can remove the meters for free to save a little. Or...pay a charge around £50 per meter and get them removed quicker. You'll need good credit and/or pay a deposit which will be used towards your bills.

You do not have to commit to a deal or pay by direct debit to exchange meters and you can switch away once the meters are in.

danroye

So is it just a case of phoning round to find out who will take them away for free if we go to them?

Do I need to tell NPower thats what we are wanting to do?

cifpower

danroye wrote: »

So is it just a case of phoning round to find out who will take them away for free if we go to them?

Do I need to tell NPower thats what we are wanting to do?

EDF switch them for free with no credit checks. You just need to be a customer with them for 28 days to ask for the swap. If you apply via a switching site on Quidco you'll get around £20 cashback and then again when you switch away from EDF.

My timetable went as follows:

Moved in 10 July
Switched from EON to EDF on 13 July
Suppler switch completion 31 July
Ask EDF for meter switch 1 September
New meter installed 21 September
Switch to Scottish Power 24 September

Its a bit longwinded but I get £40 cashback for 2 switches and a free meter change

danroye

Thank you.

I will call NPower after work and see what they will charge for the switch. Hopefully nothing. Then stay with them for a month and then go to whoever is cheapest in time for winter!

footyguy

danroye wrote: »

So is it just a case of phoning round to find out who will take them away for free if we go to them?

Do I need to tell NPower thats what we are wanting to do?

You should find this article useful. It at least describes how the Big 6 treat requests to ditch a PPM
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

[Deleted User]

footyguy wrote: »

You should find this article useful. It at least describes how the Big 6 treat requests to ditch a PPM
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

Its not that accurate about switching costs .I ve asked enough people about this on my rounds with Scottish Power and in the real world they were asking for approx £215 for the pair of prepays and thereby stopping people from credit meters. One chap said they wanted £190 so their prices are not exactly set in stone. Are Scottish Power trying to recoup what they d lose in the switch from prepay to credit meters ?