Provider of gas & electric

Buzzz

Hi - moving this week and looking at options for utilities (gas / electric).


I have visited the help pages but find it all soooo confusing!


I haven't really looked at utilities for sometime so have no idea what I should / ideally want to be paying, per unit etc etc.


A few questions....


1. Is it better to put both with one company?
2. Do you have to sign up to a contract period?


Any other things to look out for / consider would be gratefully received!

Cardew

Initially you have to take gas/electricity from the company already supplying the property and you will be on a legally binding 'deemed contract' with that firm. You will also be placed on their most expensive standard tariff.


As soon as you move in read the meters and give those readings to the company. Ask to be placed on their cheapest tariff that doesn't involve penalties for leaving early.


Now you can look into the cheapest tariff for your consumption in that property. That will involve estimating your consumption in kWh and using a comparison website. As a guidance the UK average is 13,500kWh pa and electricity 3,300kWh pa.


You don't sign a contract as such, but some tariffs do have a fixed period and have a penalty(normally £30 or so) for leaving early.


Getting gas and electricity from different suppliers can work out cheaper, but not usually by a great amount.

Buzzz

Wow, I didn't realise we would have to take over the utilities already supplied to the house! Thanks for that, really useful.

macman

Otherwise the services would have to be disconnected between occupiers. It's been done this way for about thirty years now, so I guess you haven't moved in a while.

Moneybags_2

I am in my early seventies. My late spouse was what's known by some in modern parlance as a Rate Tart...someone who regularly ditches and switches Utility providers to save money. I went along with his findings for many years and we saved money by him being nouse. I now have to think for myself and it's a minefield at the moment.

I wish you luck with your decision and hope you get it sorted soon, Buzz

Buzzz

It is, isn't it moneybags?!

lol i have moved in 30 years, but I didn't handle that before myself so didn't realise! Anyway, all sorted

Moneybags_2

Buzzz wrote: »

It is, isn't it moneybags?!

lol i have moved in 30 years, but I didn't handle that before myself so didn't realise! Anyway, all sorted

Did you watch The Martin Lewis Programme on telly tonight featuring ditching and switching. Also C4 had a prog on and this too featured the subject. I got lost half way, LOL! but it was interesting

Good you are now sorted.:T

Buzzz

No I didn't I'm afraid as I was out