Learn how to set up gas and electricity for the first time in a new home with our handy guide.
With all the excitement of setting up a new home, it can be easy to forget about your energy supply. But as a new customer, getting your gas and electric sorted is essential. Whether you’re renting your first home, a first-time buyer or setting up gas and electricity in a new build, there are a few things you’ll need to do. Here we explain everything you need to know about setting up your gas and electric for the first time, from finding your meter and providing your first readings to sorting out the best energy deal.
Stay organised and stress free with our moving home checklist.
When you move into your new home, you’ll need to find out who already provides the gas and electricity. If the people who lived there before let the supplier know they were moving, you may get a letter addressed to “the Occupier” when you move in. If it’s a new build home, your housing developer should tell you who the supplier is. If you’re renting, ask your landlord or letting agent.
You'll usually find the gas and electricity meters in meter boxes outside your home. If you’ve moved into an older property they could be in a cupboard under the stairs, or in the kitchen.
There are two main types of meters, and you can get smart meter versions of both. That may sound confusing, so let us explain.
About half of UK homes have a smart meter. Smart meters make it easier to keep track how much gas and electricity you’ve used.
If your energy supplier has told you that you don’t need to send them meter readings anymore because they are receiving automated readings, then you have smart meters.
If you have prepayment smart meters, you should be able to top up your credit online. If you can’t do this, then you may not have smart meters.
If you’re still not sure, speak to your energy supplier to find out what kind of meters you have.
You can also check if you have smart meters in your home and whether they are a first generation meter called a SMETS1 or second generation called SMETS2, using the links below:
When you move home, it’s important to read your gas and electricity meters as soon as you move in and give the readings to the current energy supplier. This makes sure you only pay for the energy you’ve used. The supplier will create a new account for you and answer any questions. If you’ve not taken readings before it can seem complicated. Learn how to read your meter.
If you’re living with health difficulties, access needs or disability and can’t get to your meter to read it, your supplier can help. They might be able to send somebody to take a reading for you.
It’s also worth asking to join your supplier’s Priority Services Register. The Priority Services Register offers extra free services, such as help if there is a power cut.
When the previous occupier moves out, you (as the new homeowner) will be automatically transferred on to the current energy supplier’s standard tariff to maintain the energy supply.
A tariff is how much you’ll be charged for your gas and electricity. There are two main charges you’ll see on your bill:
A standard tariff has historically been the most expensive type of plan, with fixed-rate plans being cheaper. It’s worth investing some time in understanding the latest energy price news before shopping around to find the best energy deals for you.
There’s lots to consider – from the best tariffs for electricity to the cheapest dual fuel deals. Learn more about how to compare energy suppliers.
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