How do I get an energy quote (first time buyer not yet moved in)

Savingforahouse123

Hi I plan to complete on my house on 8th October. I want to sort out energy (gas and electric) before 1st October when things go up.

I've never had to do this before as never paid for it (lived at home with parents and then lived in a houseshare where I just paid one payment to the landlord a month which factored in bills). 

I called up an energy provider and they said they can't give me a quote unless I already use them. I called up another provider who said the same thing.

Do I have to just stick with the current energy provider I'm using?

Also when I tried to fill out a quote, they asked for my average energy usage is but I don't know as I've not lived in the house yet so have no historical readings.

How do I go about doing this?

My friend works for Utility Warehouse and he said he can get me a good deal that £x below the national average but I still want to shop around and compare to see how his figure tallies up to what I can find from doing my own research however I'm struggling to actually be able to get quotes to begin with.

Martico

When you move into your new place you'll have no option. You will have to sign up with whoever is already supplying energy there. 

400ixl

Your supplier when you move in will be the one the existing owner is using. When you move in you take an immediate meter reading (worth taking a photo of the meter as evidence).

To find the current supplier https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/finding-your-energy-supplier-or-network-operator

You then contact that supplier to say you have just moved in and give your details and the meter reading. It is most likely you will go onto the standard variable tariff at the capped level for your region.

Once set up you can consider moving to another supplier. Many are not taking on new customers, or if they do will either be at the same standard rate or higher fixed rate. If you have economy 7 or need a supplier that deals with EV cars then you may find some providers better than others.

For the annual usage, you could ask the current owner what they currently use.

As for your mate who can get you a deal below the national average (the SVT I assume) I would be very suspicious and would want to see those details before going anywhere near it.

SusieT

You will automatically be with whoever currently supplies the house, so just read and get photos of the meter readings when you move in. Then look at the usage you have had for the rental and use that as an estimate for a switch, or, if you live in a share ot with parentsthey will use what the average person gets through until you have accurate readings for your usage.

macman

Your mate spamming UW presumably neglected to tell you that he will get a chunky referral fee if he signs you up?
You will be in a deemed contract with the existing provider, so simply sign up with them on day one and submit readings. There are no better deals than SVT under the EPG.
No need to do anything until the day you occupy.

Joyful

If a supplier has no usage to estimate, they should ask questions, such as house size, how many people in the house, if anyone is working from home. This way they can estimate your usage but you should monitor closely and get the direct debit changed if it is not inline with your usage.

Hedgepigs

As above, you can't do anything until you own the house. It makes no difference 'sorting' it before 1st October, even if you could - unless you are on a fixed tariff, which would be more expensive than the standard variable at this point anyway, and won't be any cheaper now than in a few weeks time - you will be paying for the gas and electric at the tariff it is at when you actually use it.

One of the first jobs to do when you get the keys is take a photo of your meter readings. Then contact whoever supplies the energy to give your details and readings. You will be on their 'deemed tariff' which is the standard variable, unless you agree with them to go on a different tariff (unlikely to be anything worth signing up to - I'd stick with the standard tariff for now). Once on their standard tariff you can then move to whoever will have you if you want - but it is unlikely to be of much benefit right now ( read the tariff details of your mates UW contract very carefully before signing up to anything!)

The current supplier will estimate your usage based on past usage of the property or property type - but this might not be accurate (Scottish Power are estimating my usage at approx 50% of what it will be, due to the house being sat empty for a quite while before I bought). Take regular meter readings if you are not on a smart meter and the energy company will request to adjust your direct debit up or down based on actual usage to keep your payments on track and avoid building too much credit or debt.

Savingforahouse123

So I completed on 30th September. Any idea if this is cheap for energy? It’s who previous owners used:

Variable tarriff - including VAT unit rate per kilowatt per hour £0.3224 for electricity. Standing rate 0.49993 pence per day.

Gas unit rate 0.1020 pence (believe rate per kilowatt per hour) . Standing charge 0.2848 pence per day.

I’m no expert but I believe since I’ve just bought my first house on 30th, I won’t be able to get fixed tariff. Also I took the metre readings on 2nd October even though I moved in 30th September - does that matter? Lastly do you know which energy providers are open to new customers so I can compare my above quote with other providers?

user1977

You probably want to look at the energy section on the MSE site for advice about this, it isn't specifically a house buying/renting query. But I expect all the tariffs are much the same at the moment and in line with the cap.

Savingforahouse123

user1977 said:

You probably want to look at the energy section on the MSE site for advice about this, it isn't specifically a house buying/renting query. But I expect all the tariffs are much the same at the moment and in line with the cap.

Thanks. I heard utility warehouse can pay under the cap? 

sheramber

Savingforahouse123 said:

user1977 said:

You probably want to look at the energy section on the MSE site for advice about this, it isn't specifically a house buying/renting query. But I expect all the tariffs are much the same at the moment and in line with the cap.

Thanks. I heard utility warehouse can pay under the cap? 

Have a look on their website.