Prepayment to Credit Meter

jbanks

Hi

I am moving into a new property which has used a prepayment meter. I assume therefore that changing to a credit meter now means I have the whole of the market to choose from?

But who do I go with? How do I start when I can't compare ?

Any help of suggestions would be appreciated. The new property is a 3 bed terrace in Essex. We are a family of 4

Thanks

JB

Neil_Jones

Presumable you lived somewhere else before you moved in and you know how much energy you used? Just use those figures again?

If you want a prepayment put in instead of the existing credit meter (I think that's you're trying to say?) you can just phone up the supplier and ask for one. But if you're able to you would be better on the credit meter.

jbanks

Hi

Sorry if I was not clear. I am moving to a 2 bed flat to a 3 bed house so don't have comparable figures. Also there is a prepayment meter in there. I intend using a credit meter but was wondwrin which tariffs? Companies? Would be best to go with?

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

JB

Gerry1

Switch with Which? The site allows you to enter the type of property and number of occupants.

You can always try a few other websites to see whether your chosen supplier offers cashback. Check for separate suppliers as well as dual fuel.

To avoid nasty surprises later, remember to submit monthly readings and check that your Direct Debit is covering your consumption.

EnergyRookie

jbanks wrote: »

Hi

I am moving into a new property which has used a prepayment meter. I assume therefore that changing to a credit meter now means I have the whole of the market to choose from?

But who do I go with? How do I start when I can't compare ?

Any help of suggestions would be appreciated. The new property is a 3 bed terrace in Essex. We are a family of 4

Thanks

JB

You will have to initially register with teh existing supplier(s)

This article explains more about PPMs and how to request a credit meter
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/

Always use Ofgem accredited comparison sites when comparing energy tariffs - sadly the one mentioned above is not one.
The full list is available here:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/how-switch-energy-supplier-and-shop-better-deal

Your supplier will be probably be able to advise you of the likely anticipated annual usage figures, or the energy certificate may assist, or the comparison site will be able to help you. If using estimates like this, keep a regular eye on your actual usage to see how it compares to the estimate assumed.

spiro

The supplier is also likely to do a credit check before allowing you to have a credit meter.

Michaelw

spiro wrote: »

The supplier is also likely to do a credit check before allowing you to have a credit meter.

I got caught with that one and bills increased with British Gas and had severe trouble mode changing back.Prepayment is as common as bill payment these days' and with a smart meter its all done over the air.

Unless theres a great saving and the majority of those haven't been sutainable.Its one less company on a credit file,theres no exaggerated direct debits and offers better protection against increased meter complexity faults.

SnowTiger

Michaelw wrote: »

I got caught with that one and bills increased with British Gas and had severe trouble mode changing back.Prepayment is as common as bill payment these days' and with a smart meter its all done over the air.

Unless theres a great saving and the majority of those haven't been sutainable.Its one less company on a credit file,theres no exaggerated direct debits and offers better protection against increased meter complexity faults.

I'm not sure most of that holds water.

According to the Interweb about 5.9 million of the UK's 27.2 million households use a prepay meter. That's about 22%. Fewer than a quarter.

Switching to a prepay meter would be substantially more expensive for me. Standing charges seem particularly high.

My experience is that smaller energy companies don't report to CRAs. Whether reporting to CRAs is a good or bad thing is a moot point. It may be advantageous to customers who don't have arrears.

Messages posted here suggest that billing and direct debit issues are often down to customers not supplying meter readings. That issue will diminish as more households have smart meters installed.