Before you move in, you could inquire with the seller or estate agent (or the developer if the house is new construction). However, if you haven’t already done so, you can contact:
Locate your energy meters
Meters for gas and electricity can be situated in a variety of locations, including the kitchen and outside the house. Again, the sales agent or previous owners might be able to point them out, but if not, the kitchen or hallway are good locations to start looking. Either a prepaid or standard meter will be used.
- A prepayment meter is often known as a ‘pay as you go’ meter. This allows you to pay for energy in advance, using a smart card/key or cash to top up your account.
Take meter readings
It’s critical to take meter readings and report them to the supplier once you’ve located your meters. This will save you money on energy that you haven’t used.
To keep your invoices accurate, it’s a good idea to submit readings every month or so. If your new home has a smart meter, the readings will be sent to your supplier automatically. Getting a smart meter can help you keep track of (and reduce) how much energy you use each month, which can save you money on your bills. It can be a very cost-effective way to save energy in your home!
Get your meter point reference number
Your meter point administration number is a one-of-a-kind identifier for your residence. It’s also on your electricity bill.
The MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) for your gas supply will be unique to your home. You can get your MPRN from the Meter Point Administration Service if you don’t have a bill (for gas). You can obtain the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for electricity by contacting your supplier.
Contact the current energy supplier
Ideally, you should take meter readings the day you move in, since you’ll want to make sure you get an accurate first bill. Remember, you’re in charge from the moment you take ownership. Not only will you avoid paying for energy you haven’t used, but your utility statement will also serve as proof of address.
Find out what tariff you’re on
Your energy provider will probably tell you what tariff you’re on, but it’ll almost certainly be their basic variable tariff, which is usually the most expensive. Switching to a different provider can help you get a better rate.
Find your gas and electricity meters
To begin, locate your energy meters, which are typically located in the kitchen, hallway, or an outdoor meter box. If you can’t find yours, go through all of your cupboards.
If you live on a new housing development, the builders or developers will be able to walk you around and show you where everything is. If you bought from a prior owner, they or the estate agency should be able to provide you with all of the necessary gas and electricity information.
When you’ve located the meters, write down or photograph the readings as documentation of your energy consumption so you won’t be charged for any energy consumed by the previous tenants.
Locate your trip switch
If a defective appliance or excessive use of appliances causes the electricity to go out, you’ll need to know where the trip switch is.
The trip switch is located in or near the fuse box, which should be within 3 meters of the meter.
Find out who supplies your gas and electricity
You can check the national database of gas suppliers online by entering your address at Find My Supplier to find out who your new gas supplier is. Alternatively, you could inquire with the former tenants about the present location of the supply during the relocation.
When it comes to electricity, you can ask any energy supplier or your energy network distributor to investigate on your behalf.
Contact your new energy supplier
Tell your new gas and electricity providers that you’ve moved in as soon as possible.
If you’re on a prepayment meter, give them the meter reading you took when you first moved in.
You may be placed on a basic tariff, which is usually the most expensive.
You are solely responsible for the cost of your energy. To avoid paying a bill, you can’t say you didn’t know who the provider was.
To avoid any surprises, examine any gas and electricity bills you get.
Find your MPAN and MPRN
The Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for electricity and the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for gas are the two types of meter numbers.
Your MPAN is a one-of-a-kind item. It’s a 21-digit number that can be found on your utility bill. It’s sometimes referred to as a supply number, but don’t mix it with your customer reference number.
The MPRN is a six- to ten-digit number that is unique to your gas supplier. You can find it on your gas bill. Don’t search for meter numbers on the meter itself because they aren’t printed there.
Make sure you’re on the right tariff
Whether you move into a brand new home or take over the energy supply in an existing home, you may be immediately placed on a standard tariff, which is usually the most expensive.
With so many other things to accomplish after a move, you could be tempted to put off thinking about your tariff until the first bill arrives on your doorstep. This, however, can be costly because your first bill won’t appear until the end of the first quarter, by which time the charges will have accumulated. So, as soon as you move in, make researching rates and finding the best energy package a priority.
Save money on your gas and electricity
Moving home is not only joyful, but also costly! Check out our gas and electricity saving recommendations to make your new house as energy efficient as possible and save money on your utility bills.
When you buy a home, when do you set up utilities?
It’s tempting to put off arranging utilities for your new house until later, but it’s critical to do it as soon as possible.
Keeping the current supplier informed
Is it possible to set up utilities before moving to the United Kingdom?
- Notify your power and gas providers of your impending move; you should give them at least 48 hours’ notice.
- On the day you move out, read your meters and give the data to your supplier If you don’t agree with your final bill, make a record of the readings and the dates you took them.
- Provide your supplier with a forwarding address so that they may send you the final bill; you’ll have 28 days to pay it.
If your final bill indicates that you are owed money (known as “being in credit”), you should request a refund.
Step 1 – find out which energy company supplies your new home
When you move into a new property, the energy company that has been providing the property up until your move-in date will automatically place you on a ‘deemed contract.’
You’ll need to collect gas and electricity meter readings in your new home and give them to the property’s current gas and electric provider.
Visit the Find My Supplier website or call the meter number helpdesk at 0870 608 1524 to find out who distributes the gas to your new home.
Contact the local power distribution company to learn who delivers electricity to your new home. Its phone number will be included in the phone book under ‘Electricity.’ You should inquire about the company’s meter point management service (MPAS).
You’ll need to arrange for a new top-up key or card to be provided if your new property has a prepayment meter. With our FAQ, you may learn more about moving into a prepayment metered property.
Step 2 – give the existing energy supplier meter readings
Give your new energy supplier your contact information, as well as meter readings from your new home and the date you moved in. Your new account will be created for you by them.
When you initially move in, most suppliers will automatically put you on their normal tariff. With our guide to energy tariff kinds, you can learn more about what this entails.
Step 3 – check you are getting the best deal on your gas and electricity
Which is the best option? Change your energy provider to get the greatest bargain for your new house. We can generate a projection based on your property type because you won’t have any reliable information about how much gas and electricity you’ll consume in your new home.
Our guide to changing energy suppliers explains how to use Which? to transfer gas and electricity companies. Switch.
If you’ve recently moved into a rental home, check your lease terms or chat with your landlord to determine if you’re allowed to switch energy providers. If you are unable to move energy suppliers, you may be able to save money by moving to a cheaper tariff or payment option with your existing provider.
Step 4 – switch energy suppliers using Which? Switch
We’ll send your application to your chosen new supplier when you complete out a few easy details.
They’ll schedule your switch and contact you to let you know when it’ll happen.
Step 5 – completing your energy supplier switch
- On the day of your switch, take a meter reading and give it to both your old and new energy providers.
If you wish to switch, you do not need to notify your current energy provider. Your previous energy company will be notified of the move by your new gas and electricity provider.
How do first-time home buyers arrange for utilities?
It can be difficult to set up gas and electricity for the first time. Here are our simple instructions for installing gas and electricity in your home:
Find out who your energy supplier is
Before you move in, ask the seller or estate agency (or developer if the house is new construction) who your provider is.
Find your gas and electricity meters
These meters are commonly located in the kitchen, hallway, or outside; when viewing a home, take note of where the meter is located (the estate agent should be able to give you all the details).
Take meter readings & contact the energy supplier
It’s critical to collect meter readings and submit them to the supplier once you’ve moved in and discovered your meters. Otherwise, you risk being charged for energy that you haven’t utilized.
Find the fuse box and trip switch
If your power goes out, you’ll need to know where your trip switch is in order to get things back up and running. A trip is nothing to be concerned about; it’s normally a safeguard to keep you safe if an appliance malfunctions.
It’ll be in or near the fuse box, which is only a few meters away from the electrical meter.
Find your meter number (MPAN)
Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for electricity and Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for gas are the two types of meter numbers.
The MPAN is a 21-digit number that is unique to your residence. It’s on your bill, and it’s also known as your “supply number.”
Find out what tariff you’re on
It’s best to figure out what tariff you’re on after you know who your energy supplier is. The tariff you’re on will most likely be revealed by the supplier. Switching to a different provider can help you get a better rate.
When you move in, how long do you have to set up utilities?
It’s a good idea to notify your current utility providers at least 48 hours before you leave your present residence. They’ll need your new address to send out your final bills, and they’ll either ask you to take meter readings on the day you move out or arrange for them to do it themselves.
When purchasing a home, how do you transfer bills?
You should contact your existing supplier or look for a new one using a utility price comparison tool to ensure that the utilities are operational when you move in. They will then arrange for your bills to be paid in your name beginning on the day you move in. To transfer, you’ll need to do the following:
If you’re happy with your existing provider, you can phone and inform them that you’re relocating and that you’d like to keep them as your provider. The meter readings from your present home and the one you move into will still be required.
Take gas and electricity readings on moving day
- When you move into your new house, take fresh gas and electricity meter readings as soon as feasible. Although the previous occupants may have left readings, it is always a good idea to take your own to avoid problems later.
- This ensures that you only pay for the gas and electricity you use, rather than the energy used by prior tenants.
- Check the timers for the heating and hot water, as well as the thermostat. It’s possible that the previous occupants favored a more tropical atmosphere than you’re used to!
Find out who your new energy supplier is
Again, hopefully this data has been provided, but if it hasn’t, there are a few simple ways to find out.
- If you’re not sure who supplies your new home’s gas, go to the Find My Supplier website or call the meter number hotline at 0870 608 1524 (calls to this number are 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
- You should contact your local distribution provider for electricity. You can look up the phone number in the phone directory under ‘Electricity’ or use the Energy Networks Association postcode search tool.
- You should ask for MPAS, which is the company’s Meter Point Administration Service, when you speak with them.
Give your energy supplier the meter readings
- Hopefully, prior residents have contacted them, and you may even have received a letter from the energy company with instructions on what to do.
- If your new house has a prepayment meter, you’ll need to arrange for a new top-up key or card to be mailed to you. More information on prepayment meters can be found in our guide to paying your energy bill.
Compare energy prices and switch ASAP!
- You’ll be put on a’standard variable tariff’ by your new energy provider. This is usually their most costly plan.
- If you’ve recently upgraded your home, your first month’s bill for a larger home on the most expensive tariff may come as a shock, especially if it comes so soon after your final bill from the previous residence.
- This cost will be smaller if you compare energy prices and switch as soon as possible.