Should I stay or should I go?

3timesalady

Hi I’m currently downsizing and not sure if I should port my current energy provider with me. I’m on a smart meter with British Gas currently. Where I’m moving to appears to be Eon, did spot a smart meter in the kitchen of new property but unsure if it’s a top up but assuming so as property was previously a rental. I’m moving for health reasons so it would be really beneficial if my energy was cheaper after the move. Any advice appreciated. 

Mark_d

Your energy cost will depend on the tariff and also your area of the country.  I don't know if your BG tariff is better than what you could get with EON.

I always chose tariffs with no exit fee.  I check prices on uswitch every few months and I switch if I can make a significant saving.  Loyalty with BG or EON is worth nothing.

Brie

I didn't think that porting a supplier was possible.  You may be stuck with Eon until you can change (should you wish to) and have to also pay an exit fee to BG.  Best to check your T&Cs.  

Was it an in house device you spotted rather than a meter?  Also if it used to be a rental there may in fact be a PAYG meter which can take some time to get changed.

3timesalady

Thanks, I’m in Scotland and been with BG for nearly 20 years the last 9 or so on PAYG which I prefer as I can budget better and keep tabs on what I’m using. 

When I go online to BG’s moving home page it gives me the option to transfer my account to my new address. 

bristolleedsfan

Brie said:

I didn't think that porting a supplier was possible.  You may be stuck with Eon until you can change (should you wish to) and have to also pay an exit fee to BG.  Best to check your T&Cs.  

British Gas, EDF, Eon Next, Octopus,all offer moving tariff when moving home service.( they call it take us with you)

Gerry1

3timesalady said:

I’m in Scotland and been with BG for nearly 20 years

Not having switched means you've almost certainly paying well over the odds !  But that's now water under the bridge.

With the Ofgem price cap now in place the differences between tariffs have significantly reduced, and unless on a fixed price tariff most people in any given area have been paying much the same.  Prepayment has also become slightly cheaper than Direct Debit.

However, competition has now returned and it's worth shopping around a few comparison sites.  Always make sure you select the whole market; don't accept the default, opt to see suppliers to whom the sites can't switch you directly.  The option is often well hidden but it'll be there somewhere.

3timesalady

Looks like my best option may be to close my BG account, move, then look at switching to a new supplier all together once I’ve done the comparison suggested. Thanks for all the advice 

Swipe

3timesalady said:

Looks like my best option may be to close my BG account, move, then look at switching to a new supplier all together once I’ve done the comparison suggested. Thanks for all the advice 

Yep, no way I'd trust a home move with British Gas. It would be an absolute nightmare if it went wrong.

Bigphil1474

OP, you don't really have to do anything until you've moved. When you move into the new property you will start on whatever provider they were on and can start a switch straight away if you want or stick with Eon. Your existing BG account will be passed over to the person who moves into your current property. All you have to do is make sure you record and provide BG with your closing meter readings when you move out, and make sure you take and provide EON with meter readings from the new property on the day you become responsible for the new property, which may or not be the day you move in.

We were with Sainsburys when we moved in July and the new house is on British Gas, we've actually stuck with BG as they are the cheapest for our property. The move from one provider to the other went fine and we got the refund from Sainsburys within a couple of weeks of moving out, and were set up with BG within a few days of moving in.

My dad was with British Gas all his adult life from when he got his first house in the 60's up until his death in 2022. He wouldn't entertain switching at all, as apparently they're a British company for British folk ( )
. Did my best to get him on some of their fixed tariffs over the years, but I expect a lot of older people stick with them for similar reasons.