New house - what to do

cookie666

Just moved into my new house - do I stick with existing energy supplier or look to change? Also how do know if my gas is on a pre pay meter if so will it work as my boiler does not want to play and gas stove does not work - how can I find out? Do I call who previously did energy??

MWT

Start here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/finding-your-energy-supplier-or-network-operator

You will need to set up an account with your existing supplier before you can switch elsewhere, but right now there isn't really anywhere else to go that will be cheaper than the deemed variable tariff you will already be on with the existing supplier... .. unless you want to roll the dice with one of the very few, small, suppliers that are still offering tariffs below wholesale cost...

When you set up the new account make sure that you do not get talked into picking a different tariff, just make it clear you wish to stay on the capped standard variable rate.

Re the boiler and stove not working, do find the meter and make sure the gas hasn't been turned off, your existing supplier can also confirm if your meter is in pre-pay mode if it isn't obvious from looking at the meter...

Ms_Chocaholic

When you move into a new property you need to contact the supplier who supplied the previous occupier to set up a temporary account. 

If you don't know who that is, have a look here https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/finding-your-energy-supplier-or-network-operator

cookie666

Stupid question but how do I know if gas at meter is on or off? Would it flow even if I was on pre pay?

cookie666

Figured out that meter was switched off now to work out how to get gas to it

Ectophile

cookie666 said:

Stupid question but how do I know if gas at meter is on or off? Would it flow even if I was on pre pay?

There's normally a valve with a big lever next to the meter. If the lever is at right angles to the pipe, it's off.

cookie666

Many thanks for all the answers, much appreciated.

Now I've figured out my gas/elec supplier, it was on Boost which was PAYG, no idea what tariff if any.

I know we've been told not to switch suppliers but I have never been on PAYG before, ideally, I'd like to have a monthly DD I have a friend with Octopus where we both get the £50, should I roll the dice or stick with Boost for now?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

did you get new keys from Boost for the meters, don't use the old keys if they were left.

cookie666

We had nothing at all keys wise, had to do it all via the app, all very stressful as wanted to get the house warm after being unoccupied for 6 months!

Bacman

You can phone the electricity company for the pre-paid meter whom the supply is registered to, then ask them for the nearest place you can pick up a key; it will usually be a small newsagents or similar, they can check one is in stock there for you and you can collect it - pay for top-up credits there then put the key into your meter at home to enable the credit.

cookie666

I can do it all on the app to load credit so that's not an issue, more confused as whether to switch provider and move away from PAYG/Top up.