Trystan Casey
If you're moving into a new home, setting up your electricity supply is essential. First, you need to find out who provides your electricity by contacting the Local Distribution Centre or electricity distribution company for your region. You can then give them your details, including your address and postcode, and your meter readings. It's important to take meter readings when you move in so that you can submit them to the supplier to ensure accurate billing and avoid paying for energy used by previous occupants. You may also need to provide the electricity supply Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN), which can be found on your energy bill. If you're moving from a previous address, remember to give your old supplier a forwarding address and your final meter readings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to find your electricity provider | Contact the electricity distribution company for your region with your address and postcode |
| When to contact your electricity provider | As soon as possible after moving in |
| How to find your meter | Ask the previous owners, tenants or developer (if it’s a new build). The estate/letting agent or previous owners should be able to point you to where the meters are. If they can’t, for any reason, you’ll most likely find them in the kitchen, hallway or meter box outside the property. If your home is on a new housing estate, the developer will be able to show you where the meters are. |
| How to read your meter | Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service if you need help |
| When to read your meter | On the day you move in |
| How to submit meter readings | Submit them to the supplier when they set up your account |
| How to pay your bill | Direct debit, prepayment, standard credit |
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What You'll Learn
Contact your regional electricity distribution company
Contacting your regional electricity distribution company is a crucial step in setting up your electricity supply. This company is responsible for delivering electricity to your home or business and maintaining the wires that bring power to your premises. They are different from your energy supplier, which is the company you pay for your electricity usage.
To find out which company is your regional electricity distribution company, you can search for your region's network operator. They are sometimes referred to as electricity distribution network operators or Local Distribution Centres. These operators are responsible for moving electricity over long distances and delivering it to specific areas. You can usually find a list of distribution companies and their contact details online.
Once you have identified your regional electricity distribution company, you will need to provide them with your address and postcode. They may also require your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for electricity, which is unique to your supply. This number helps the company identify and manage the electricity coming into your home and ensures accurate billing. You can usually find your MPAN on your energy bill.
If you are moving into a new home, it is essential to contact your regional electricity distribution company as soon as possible. They can provide information about the previous supplier and assist in setting up your new account. Taking meter readings on the day you move in and submitting them to the distribution company will help establish accurate billing from the start.
Additionally, your regional electricity distribution company can offer support in various situations. For instance, they can help you locate your meter if you are unsure where it is. In case of a power outage, they can determine whether the issue originates from inside your home or elsewhere. They are also responsible for fixing power cuts that are not caused by problems within your premises.
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Find your electricity supply Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN)
The Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) is a unique 13-digit reference number that identifies each electricity supply point. It is sometimes called your 'supply number' and is used to register with an electricity supplier.
You can find your MPAN on your electricity bill, where it will be displayed as a 12 or 13-digit number, or a 21-digit number beginning with the letter 'S' and displayed in a grid. It will be located under a section called ''Details of Charges' or 'Details of your Supply'. If you do not have access to an energy bill, you can request your MPAN online or by contacting your energy supplier. Some suppliers offer a postcode checker on their website, while others may require you to provide your full address and meter serial number.
Once you have your MPAN, you can register with an electricity supplier. The registration process normally takes at least 28 days, so it is important to get in touch with your chosen supplier as soon as possible. You will need to provide your MPAN when contacting your supplier or submitting a meter reading.
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Take meter readings on the day you move in
Taking meter readings on the day you move in is an essential step to ensure you don't end up paying for energy used by the previous occupants. If you're moving into a new home, it can be easy to forget about your energy supply in all the excitement. But getting it sorted is one of your essential jobs.
First, you need to find out who already provides the gas and electricity in your new home. The simplest way to do this is by asking the previous owners, tenants, or developer (if it's a new build). If the people who lived at the property before you have called the energy supplier to let them know they're moving, you should also receive a letter addressed to 'the occupier' when you move in. You can also contact the electricity distribution company for your region; you'll need your address and postcode.
Once you know who supplies your energy, you can give them your details and the meter readings you took on the day you moved in. If you're not sure where the meters are, the estate/letting agent or previous owners should be able to point you in the right direction. If they can't, you'll likely find them in the kitchen, hallway, or meter box outside the property. There are two types of meter: a standard credit meter, which displays numbers in dial or digital form, and a prepayment meter, a 'pay-as-you-go' option that lets you pay for your energy in advance.
It's a good idea to submit readings every month or so to keep your bills accurate. If your new home has a smart meter, it will automatically send readings to your supplier, so you don't have to. If your smart meter isn't working in 'smart mode', you'll need to take regular meter readings and send them to your supplier.
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Submit meter readings to your supplier
If you don't have a smart meter, you'll need to submit meter readings to your supplier at least once a month. This ensures your account is up to date and that you're being billed correctly. If you don't submit any readings, your supplier will estimate your energy usage, which could result in you being overcharged.
The way you submit your meter reading will depend on the methods offered by your supplier. Generally, you can submit your reading by logging into your online account, using your supplier's app, or by calling customer service.
British Gas, for example, encourages customers to submit meter readings by logging into their online accounts or via its app and an automated phone service. EDF asks customers to sign into their online accounts, while E.ON Next recommends logging into an account but also offers phone support if customers are having problems. OVO provides several ways for customers to submit readings, including scanning the meter directly using a phone camera and its supplier app, or calling a dedicated phone number.
If you're unsure who your supplier is, you can find out by contacting the electricity distribution company for your region. You can also use the Find My Supplier website to find your gas supplier.
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Choose an energy tariff
Energy tariffs are the set rates that energy providers charge customers for gas, electricity, or both. The two main types of tariffs are fixed-rate and variable.
Fixed-rate tariffs
Fixed-rate tariffs set the cost of energy for a certain amount of time, typically one year or more. Fixed tariffs can be helpful for keeping control of your budget, and the rates you pay will probably be lower than those of a standard tariff. However, if you start using more power than usual, your bills will go up, but the extra power used will be charged at the fixed rate. Fixed tariffs are designed to protect you from energy price rises. For example, during the current UK energy market crisis, the cost of gas and electricity has risen sharply. However, for a fixed-rate tariff, these price increases won't be passed on to you, with your cost per unit remaining the same.
Variable tariffs
Variable tariffs can be cheap, but they do fluctuate. This can be advantageous when energy prices are decreasing, but you will pay more when they rise. If you need to be sure of how much you will be paying for your energy, then you might prefer a fixed-rate tariff. Variable tariffs can be a big problem if the energy market experiences a sharp spike. For example, the current UK energy market crisis is causing gas and electricity prices to rise sharply. With a variable tariff, these sharp price increases are being passed on to customers, meaning they are now paying far more than usual.
Dual fuel tariffs
Dual fuel tariffs are when you get your gas and electricity from the same supplier, and you'll only get one bill. You can sometimes get good deals on dual fuel tariffs because you'll be getting both your gas and electricity from the same supplier.
Comparing tariffs
When you're looking for the best gas or electricity provider, it's wise to look at the company's reputation as well as their prices. One of the best ways to compare energy providers is to review the range of services they offer, their customer service opening hours, and how they handle billing queries. Reviews from other customers can also help you get a feel for a company.
Switching tariffs
If you don't owe money to your energy supplier, you could save money by switching from prepayment to a credit tariff, where you pay for your energy after you use it. You can use an independent energy comparison service to compare gas and electricity prices and find the best provider for you.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find out who supplies electricity to your new home by asking the previous owners, tenants or developer (if it’s a new build). You can also contact the Local Distribution Centre for your area or the electricity distribution company for your region. You will need your address and postcode.
You will need to provide your address and postcode, as well as meter readings on the day you move in. You may also need the supply number for your home, which can be found on your energy bill or by contacting the Meter Point Administration Service.
Take meter readings on the day you move in and submit them to the supplier when they set up your account.
