Switching Suppliers - Best method (prepayment)

dickibobboy

Evening all!

I’ve probably been paying over the odds for my electricity and gas for a good while now (in fact i know i have!) 

When i first purchased in the property in 2017 there was no gas meter and a prepayment meter for the electricity. The supplier for the electricity meter was British Gas and at that point i contacted them to sign up, got an electricity top up key and arranged for a standard gas meter to be fitted. I didn’t move in fully for over a year due to renovation and the setup of topping up the electricity as and when needed suited perfectly. 

Fast forward to now and i’m still on the same setup - Any deals i had have finished a couple of years back and i’m now on the standard variable tariffs for each energy and still going to the local shop each month to top up a key. 

Only the boiler in the house uses gas for heating/water (inc shower) (1 person household). Oven/hob is fully electric. 

I top up roughly £65 a month electricity and £30 direct debit on gas which evens out over the 12month.

I know some companies don’t use any prepayment meter setups - i’m keen to get away from it anyway and after the price increase email i’ve had from British Gas i’m thinking i should at least start and make a move.

Gas Prices
Standing Charge Current: 26.601p
Gas per kWh Current: 3.254p
Standing Charge New: 26.123p
Gas per kWh New: 3.983p

Electricity Prices
Standing Charge Current: 30.760p
Electricity per kWh Current: 17.730p
Standing Charge New: 31.180p
Electricity per kWh New: 19.720p

I’m not sure if i’m missing something with comparison sites, i’m feel i’m less interested in what potential estimated savings i’m having based on usage but more just wanting to see the list of suppliers unit/standing charge to make a decision? I do remember looking at some supplier coatings and it didn’t seem too much different which is why i think i’ve left it so long. 

Anyway enough waffling. 

I’m trying to think of the best method. From what i remember British Gas will have to change my electricity meter to a smart meter on a prepayment plan still and then afterwards they can switch it over to a normal direct debit plan once that’s all in place. 

So if i have this right - I’m going to request a gas smart meter fitted. Request my electricity meter is changed to a smart one then once complete asked to be moved onto a standard direct debit plan (unless i can leave the ‘non’ prepayment electricity plan out once it’s on prepayment smart as it will just switch if/when i change suppliers?). 

From there i’m free to sign up to any new supplier on the basis i make sure they don’t sign me up to any new contracts when making any meter changes. 


Does anyone have anything to add or advice? 

Cheers!