Getting the best energy deal as first time user

ianmorgcas

Ok so at 54 yes I’ve had energy suppliers before. 

But after divorce and getting my first house alone how do I ensure I’ve got the best Gas and Electricity deal without any usage history. 

Robin9

You can use a typical figure - if say yours is a gas heated 3 bed semi - gas would be 10,000 kwh and electric 3,000 kwh. Don't use number of rooms, people etc. . Keep an eye on things as the year progresses . 

Read your meter regularly, keep your own records, read and understand your bills.

Talldave

Use @Robin9 's suggestion to get you going. Then, reading meters weekly will give you a good idea of your house's consumption. If you've got gas heating & water then electricity consumption will be relatively consistent throughout the year, maybe 10% up in winter. Gas consumption varies greatly based on the weather. I've found that a freezing winter week's gas consumption can be 10x a summer week heating just the water.

Off topic, but vaguely money related - don't forget to ask the credit reference agencies to remove all the financial associations with your ex on your credit file. That said, any car insurance you have may be cheaper by leaving your ex as a named driver!

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

Read the meters on the wall and photograph them the moment you take possession of the house (never rely on anyone else) then make sure you register with the existing supplier(s), otherwise you'll be on a mega-expensive deemed contract.  Then compare the wider market, starting with the Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?' websites.  Remember to compare separate suppliers as well as dual fuel, and then try other sites (including the CEC) to see whether cashback is available from your cheapest supplier(s) although this is unlikely.

Read the supplier reviews on this forum (some interesting ones for Tonik, Symbio, Outfox the Market etc) and at Citizens Advice, but ignore TrustPilot completely.  Always read the meter monthly, even if you have smart meters, and keep copies of bills for six years.  Always ignore all claimed savings, just compare annual costs based on actual meter readings (when you have them in the future). Choose Variable Direct Debit if your supplier(s) offer it.

enjoli23

ianmorgcas said:

Ok so at 54 yes I’ve had energy suppliers before. 

But after divorce and getting my first house alone how do I ensure I’ve got the best Gas and Electricity deal without any usage history. 

Consult any good comparison site.
Most offer assistance to those who do not know their anticipated annual consumption