First Time Buyer

cjsemple

Hi, I've just bought my first house and was hoping I could get some advice on which energy supplier/tariff to go with as there seems to be so much more choice since I last paid my own bills! I don't have a clue how much energy I'll be using as I've been living with parents for the last couple of years, prior to that I rented a flat with a friend for a number of years but I can't really compare two people living in a flat to just me living in a (small) house.. I've had a look on a few sites and am considering OVO, First Utility and Octopus but I just wanted to get some advice before I decide (I haven't actually moved in yet so it's not massively urgent). Any advice welcome!

Also - the house already has a "smart" meter installed, but there is no instructions for it or anything. I've read that smart meters will only communicate with the original supplier and will only act as a normal meter if you switch. I think the supply was with British Gas but given their constant price hikes I'll be steering clear of them. My question is, once set up with a new supplier if the smart meter wasn't "smart" anymore, would I be able to get a new one that is?

Robin9

cjsemple wrote: »

Also - the house already has a "smart" meter installed, but there is no instructions for it or anything. I've read that smart meters will only communicate with the original supplier and will only act as a normal meter if you switch.

You are correct - but forget that. What you want is the best supplier and most go solely for cost. Use 3000kwh for elec and 10000 kwh for gas. Go for a fixed tariff with no exit fees.

Read your meter regularly is my best advice.

jbuchanangb

It is essential that you take readings from your meter for the date you moved in. You are automatically in a deemed contract with whichever energy supplier already supplied the place, so you must call them and set up an account and provide them with the meter readings for the day you moved in. They will put you on their standard rate tariff.

One option would be to take a fixed rate tariff with the same supplier, and put up with whatever their best deal is for 12 months while keeping track of your energy usage.

Another would be to use the guestimates proposed by Robin9 to find the best deal with any other supplier. You can then switch from the incumbent supplier to that one, as soon as you like. But you must open the account with the incumbent supplier first, so you have someone to switch from!

i am about to move house so I will soon have to take my own advice!

cjsemple

I did take the meter readings the day I got the keys, but I've been left no information about the current supplier(s). It was my understanding that my selected supplier would inform the old supplier of the meter readings and the previous owner would be sent a bill for any usage they hadn't paid for - as mentioned I did rent a flat a while ago and we once had the situation where a new neighbour had put down our address for their electricity and I got a lovely "final bill" from my supplier without notice!

macman

No, it doesn't work like that. you can't switch before you first register with the existing supplier. Once you have switched, you get a final bill from the outgoing supplier. It takes 3 to 5 weeks to switch.

cjsemple

macman wrote: »

No, it doesn't work like that. you can't switch before you first register with the existing supplier. Once you have switched, you get a final bill from the outgoing supplier. It takes 3 to 5 weeks to switch.

Thanks for clearing that up! They should really teach this stuff in schools :rotfl:

So I've found out the supplier (British Gas, as suspected) - I just need to set up an account with them on their "temporary tariff" (can't wait for that phone call this afternoon) then switch to someone else in due course..

Any advice/recommendations on a new supplier would be welcome!