When moving house, there are plenty of things to consider. It isn’t just about transporting your furniture and other possessions; there is so much more to it. There is a lot of admin that goes into a house move and it is important to be as prepared as possible to save stress and chaos the other end. With a professional removal firm taking care of the physical moving side of things, this frees you up some time to deal with the admin side.
Something that should be done immediately is informing your energy supplier of your move. The last thing you want to be dealing with is fees, larger bills than expected or someone using your identity!
The process of informing your energy supplier about your new address should be very easy. There are usually forms to fill in on the website or an easy way to contact them via online chat or phone. They can then send out the appropriate documents once this has been completed.
But what do you need to consider when informing your current energy supplier about the move?
Moving Out Of A Home
You should give your current energy supplier at least 48 hours’ notice of your moving day, telling them your new address and the date that you are moving. You should then receive your final bill quite quickly after the move.
The contact details of your supplier will be available on any paperwork you have or available on their website. The supplier will probably require new gas and/or electricity readings before they can arrange delivery of your final bill – they may send a worker instead if you are unable to do it yourself. A good idea is to check your reading on the day of the move to ensure it is as correct as possible. If you are renting, you should pass on the details of your supplier to the landlord so they can let the new occupants know.
Moving Into A Home
Once you move into your new home, you may be wondering what to do! You will probably already be provided by a certain supplier and will need to provide gas and electricity readings upon moving in. You may want to stay with the current supplier or switch to a new one. If staying with the current supplier, you should call them when you move in and get a new account started under your own name. They will then place you on a standard tariff and you can discuss with them your usage to potentially get a better price. For any prepayment meters, you may need to get a new top up card delivered.
Don’t know the current gas supplier? The Meter Helpline should be able to help you find out! If you don’t know the current electricity supplier, then you should seek out the contact information of your local electricity distribution company.
Switching Suppliers
Sometimes you might not be happy with the current supplier and want to switch to a supplier who offers much better rates. You can use a price comparison website to find the best prices for you and your usage but it is worth bearing in mind that they may not always be completely accurate. It is best to check you are able to change suppliers if you are in a rental property – you may be tied into a contract.
When you have chosen a supplier, they should be able to arrange the switch. They will be able to provide you with a date for the switch. Ensure you get an accurate reading on the day of the switch which you give to both the old and the new suppliers to ensure up to date and accurate bills.
Can I Lower My Energy Bills?
Yes, there is a way you can lower your energy bills. Check the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of your home to find out the energy efficiency. The better the rating, the less you will have to spend on your energy. With the EPC rating in mind, you will have some idea of how to make your home as energy efficient as possible.