A new move should mean a new start to your bills
When it’s time to switch houses, there’s a lot to get through. However, this fresh start should also be an exciting time for you and perhaps an encouragement to get your financial house in order as well. You can start by re-evaluating how much you spend on electricity, gas, and water because reorganising your bills could not only give you a new start but also save you money. Here’s how.
Contact your energy provider before you move. You’ll want to make sure that your service provider knows when you’ll be leaving your home so that you don’t end up with a bill for the usage after you’ve left. This will also make it easier on the new owners or tenants to set up service in their own names.
Read the meter in your new home. Once you’ve settled into your new home, the first thing you should do is find the electricity and gas meters. This will make sure that you’re not paying for energy that the previous owners used on your next bill. You should also use this as a way to ensure that your energy company is charging for “real” usage as opposed to estimated usage, which could either save you hundreds of pounds or save you the trouble of having to scare up money if you find out that you’ve been underpaying.
Compare electricity prices to find the best tariff. Just because you’ve been with the same company for years or your new landlord has been doing business with a service provider doesn’t mean that it is still the best one for you. Especially at a time where consumers are collectively unsatisfied with the customer service offered by most energy companies, you should look into the advantages of switching service providers. An independent comparison site can help you make the decision.
Consider economy tariffs. The Economy 7 and Economy 10 tariffs could be a good deal for you if you use most of your electricity at night. They offer a lower rate for energy consumption after midnight, which is ideal for people who work nonstandard shifts or find themselves being productive after the rest of the family has gone to bed. Just make sure to read the fine print, though; economy tariffs often charge a higher standing fee.
Get a water meter. Most homeowners pay for their water through a fixed rate bill, but this isn’t advantageous for you if you live in a smaller home. You should consider getting a water meter that allows you to pay for only the water that you use. The average consumer could save up to £50 using this method of payment, and you could save even more if you make small investments such as low-flow shower heads.
Once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll be better informed about what the real cost of your utility services should be. Also, if you begin to stay in contact with your energy providers regularly, you can avoid the inconvenience of incorrect billing and also rest assured that you are paying exactly what you should.
Guest post by Leo Fisher.
