Nothing to compare with if first home...

crackerman

Hi all,

About to move into my first home and although there are plenty of comparison sites around, i do not know my existing supplier, nor do I know my existing usage...so I cannot compare.

Any advice on finding the best deal to start out with?

Thanks

jak

Put in your information based on whatever you do know and see what happens. If you get stuck e-mail some suppliers for quotes.

SwanJon

This might help you get a ball park figure.

From energywatch's website
http://www.energywatch.org.uk/help_a...oney/index.asp
Consumption

Low user - if your annual consumption is 1,650 kWh electricity and 10,000 kWh gas
Medium user - if your annual consumption is 3,300 kWh electricity and 20,500 kWh gas
High user - if your annual consumption is 4,950 kWh electricity and 28,000 kWh gas
For Economy 7 rate electricity use 3,300 kWh (low), 6,600 kWh (medium) and 9,900 kWh (high). Economy 7 rate bills assume a 55% night time usage.


When you move in, take readings and give them to the current gas & electricity suppliers. Keep the readings safe somewhere. Get in the habit of taking a reading at least once every 3 months (when the bill arrives), or more often. Make sure your supplier is using accurate readings.
If/when you switch take readings on the day of the change, again keep them somewhere safe and let both suppliers know them.

crackerman

SwanJon wrote: »

This might help you get a ball park figure.

From energywatch's website
http://www.energywatch.org.uk/help_a...oney/index.asp
Consumption

Low user - if your annual consumption is 1,650 kWh electricity and 10,000 kWh gas
Medium user - if your annual consumption is 3,300 kWh electricity and 20,500 kWh gas
High user - if your annual consumption is 4,950 kWh electricity and 28,000 kWh gas
For Economy 7 rate electricity use 3,300 kWh (low), 6,600 kWh (medium) and 9,900 kWh (high). Economy 7 rate bills assume a 55% night time usage.


When you move in, take readings and give them to the current gas & electricity suppliers. Keep the readings safe somewhere. Get in the habit of taking a reading at least once every 3 months (when the bill arrives), or more often. Make sure your supplier is using accurate readings.
If/when you switch take readings on the day of the change, again keep them somewhere safe and let both suppliers know them.

Marvellous - thanks for this. Will it be immediately obvious who the current supplier is? I was under the impression that because I am renting the account on the house will be closed by the current tenants using the final meter reading when they move out. Then I ring a new supplier with the same meter reading and set up an account in my name?

Premier_2

crackerman wrote: »

Marvellous - thanks for this. Will it be immediately obvious who the current supplier is? I was under the impression that because I am renting the account on the house will be closed by the current tenants using the final meter reading when they move out. Then I ring a new supplier with the same meter reading and set up an account in my name?

No, you won't be able to do this. I don't think you can change supplier unless your name is on the account and it can take 4-6 weeks to change supplier anyway.

A decent landlord should be able to tell you who the current supplier(s) is. If there has been any gap between the last tenants moving out and you moving in, the landlord should have taken over the accounts temporarily. If you are moving in as the previous tenants move out, then the those tenants should be able to provide details too as you will be taking over the accounts from them.

You need to accept the current supplier(s) when you move in giving them the initial reading(s) and then change supplier later if you want.

Stinkster

If you want to save time, or don't have access to speak with the old tenants you can call the National Grid Supplier Helpline.

0845 605 6677

If you tell them your full postal address and that you have just moved in they will confirm who the current registered gas supplier is.