Changing Energy Supplier (from Boost)

dennishopper

Recently purchased a property, the Gas & Electricity is supplied by Boost! It’s a very expensive PAYG (top-up) provider. They have set my up an account, I’ve found the two meters that look to be supplied by them, however I’m unsure how to take a reading from them, and then with that reading how to switch? All new to this, but know that the current provider is expensive.

On a different note, the Boiler is a Gloworm from 2003. As far as I believe it’s working fine. Should I take out cover or a service for it! From what I can believe it’s last service was almost 2 years ago. Any advice or direction even if very much appreciated, this is all new to me.

SPOWER

Your eloquent wording shows you away. You are not new.

Gerry1

You'd be better off with a credit tariff. Go to a site such as Runpath which doesn't look up your meter type from your address; tell it that you pay by monthly direct debit. You'll have to estimate your usage for the time being. Find the best dual fuel offering (change the default to the whole market) and ask them whether they will charge you for changing to a credit meter.

Read the Ts & Cs carefully or use Live Chat to see whether a free change of meter requires you to stay with them for a minimum period. Ditto for compulsory smart meters. You may wish to start with a variable tariff or one with no exit fee.

Once you have credit meters and an idea of your usage you can then search the whole market to make sure you always have the best deal.

It would be a good idea to get a CO monitor. They're often very inexpensive at the discount supermarkets etc.

dennishopper

SPOWER wrote: »

Your eloquent wording shows you away. You are not new.

Oh but I am! I can’t even figure out how to switch these damn meters on to even take a reading (having never taken a reading in my life) :-(

dennishopper

Gerry1 wrote: »

You'd be better off with a credit tariff. Go to a site such as Runpath which doesn't look up your meter type from your address; tell it that you pay by monthly direct debit. You'll have to estimate your usage for the time being. Find the best dual fuel offering (change the default to the whole market) and ask them whether they will charge you for changing to a credit meter.

Read the Ts & Cs carefully or use Live Chat to see whether a free change of meter requires you to stay with them for a minimum period. Ditto for compulsory smart meters. You may wish to start with a variable tariff or one with no exit fee.

Once you have credit meters and an idea of your usage you can then search the whole market to make sure you always have the best deal.

It would be a good idea to get a CO monitor. They're often very inexpensive at the discount supermarkets etc.

Thank you, so a credit tariff is with a new provider? Will they have a minimum commitment?

What is the benefit of a CO monitor? Is at in relation to the boiler being old and not having cover?

Gerry1

Once you get rid of the prepayment meter you are footloose and fancy free. The only thing to consider is how much, if anything, the divorce from the Boost meter will cost.

Variable tariffs don't commit you, but some fixed tariffs have exit fees.

A CO alarm will help to prevent you waking up dead. CO is a silent killer: you can't see, smell or taste it. I paid £7.99 for this one on a When It's Gone, It's Gone offer.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/5dco-digital-carbon-monoxide-alarm/p/016878289566500

dennishopper

I mean I had to set up an account to Boost! being the then supplier! Is getting rid of the meters a separate job to switching G&E provider? I guess I need to find out the exit terms and try and take a reading so as I can the try and switch a cheaper provider.

Got you re. the CO alarm, will do!

What about the boiler, it’s uncovered and has been in since 2013/2014, worth purchasing some kind of service or cover?

spot1034

The boiler isn't that old. I'd get it serviced but find a plumbing and heating engineer and don't whatever you do get British Gas to do it. My Glow Worm is 30 years old this year, has never failed and is still working fine. The plumber is coming to do its annual service next week but I have no reason to think he will find any problem. He has told me that 'the Gas Board' would have condemned it years ago but most of the components which might fail are still available so it could probably be repaired if it fails - but so far it hasn't! I haven't got any cover on it. I can afford any reasonable cost of repair should it go wrong and would almost certainly have paid out more for insurance in the past three decades which would have been a waste. In the end it has to be an individual decision based on your own circumstances and your appetite for risk. But that's the route I'd go - try to find an independent plumbing and heating engineer to do a service which it needs if it hasn't been done for a while. Avoid British Gas who will automatically tell you your boiler is too old and needs to be replaced.

dennishopper

spot1034 wrote: »

The boiler isn't that old. I'd get it serviced but find a plumbing and heating engineer and don't whatever you do get British Gas to do it. My Glow Worm is 30 years old this year, has never failed and is still working fine. The plumber is coming to do its annual service next week but I have no reason to think he will find any problem. He has told me that 'the Gas Board' would have condemned it years ago but most of the components which might fail are still available so it could probably be repaired if it fails - but so far it hasn't! I haven't got any cover on it. I can afford any reasonable cost of repair should it go wrong and would almost certainly have paid out more for insurance in the past three decades which would have been a waste. In the end it has to be an individual decision based on your own circumstances and your appetite for risk. But that's the route I'd go - try to find an independent plumbing and heating engineer to do a service which it needs if it hasn't been done for a while. Avoid British Gas who will automatically tell you your boiler is too old and needs to be replaced.

Thanks, very helpful! Will get the local plumber / heating engineer round! Just say I’m looking for a boiler to be serviced? Hasn’t had a last service in almost 2 years, I believe

dennishopper

....would the plumber or engineer themselves maybe know how to take a gas/electricity reading? Can’t for the life of me work these complex looking meters out, could ask them to take a look when coming round to service the boiler?

Gerry1

https://selectra.co.uk/energy/guides/meters/prepayment#moving-into-a-house-with-a-prepayment-meter

https://www.boostpower.co.uk/help/topics/smart-technology/smart-meters/how-do-i-take-a-reading-on-my-smart-meter.html